What is vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes loss of skin color in blotches.
Based on the pattern of patches, vitiligo can be of two types, namely- segmental and nonsegmental.
- Segmental vitiligo develops only on one side of the body.
- Nonsegmental vitiligo tends to develop on both sides of the body.
The condition can develop at any age but usually starts above the age of 20.
What are the symptoms of vitiligo?
Discoloration of various parts of the body is the primary manifestation of this condition, the symptoms include:
- Patchy loss of skin color
- Premature whitening or graying of hair on scalp, skin, eyelashes, brows.
- Loss of skin color in the inner lining of mouth and nose.
- Discoloration of the eyeballs
What are the risk factors of vitiligo?
There are a few health complications that may put you at risk for the skin condition. These complications include:
- Scleroderma
- Lupus
- Thyroiditis
- Psoriasis
- Alopecia areata
- Type 1 diabetes
- Pernicious anemia
- Addison’s disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Other conditions which may trigger vitiligo are:
- Severe sunburns or cuts
- Toxin exposure
- High level of stress
Does vitiligo spread?
There is no particular way to determine the spread of a patch.
However, in most cases, the vitiligo patches tend to spread to different parts of the body.
The spreading may occur either gradually over time or rapidly.
What are the causes of vitiligo?
Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition.
An autoimmune disorder is that in which the body’s immune system identifies its healthy cells and tissues as foreign and attacks it, ultimately destroying it.
The leading underlying cause of vitiligo is that the body's immune system attacks the pigment-producing cells called melanocytes.
The melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, hair color, eyeball color, etc.
The attack of melanocytes by the immune system leads to loss of melanin in different parts of the body, and that appears as pale patches in vitiligo.
Genetics has been identified as the main reason behind this faltered immune mechanism.
The genetics behind vitiligo
There have been several genes that have been reported causative of this autoimmune disorder.
The most commonly reported genes are:
TYR
The gene codes for tyrosinase, which is an enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of melanin
| GENE | RS Id | RISK ALLELE | IMPLICATIONS OF THE RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|---|
| TYR | rs4409785 | C | Altered tyrosinase protein is encoded, inhibiting melanin biosynthesis. |
CD44
The gene encodes a cell surface glycoprotein, which, when altered, is associated with lupus and vitiligo.
| GENE | SNP ID | RISK ALLELE | IMPLICATIONS OF THE RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD44 | rs736374 | A | The gene codes for an immune component, which gets elevated in case of the risk allele. |
MC1R
Melanocortin receptor is encoded by MC1R, which is a regulator of melanogenesis.
| GENE | RS Id | RISK ALLELE | IMPLICATIONS OF THE RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|---|
| MC1R | rs4785587 | A | Risk allele carriers encode for a mutated receptor involved in melanin synthesis. |
CD80
It codes for an immune cell surface protein and takes part in the immune response of the body.
| GENE | RS Id | RISK ALLELE | IMPLICATIONS OF RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD80 | rs59374417 | C | Responsible for hyper-immune response in vitiligo. |
IL2RA
Elevated IL2RA levels have been associated with increased T-cell activation in autoimmune diseases.
| GENE | RS ID | RISK ALLELE | IMPLICATIONS OF THE RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|---|
| IL2RA | s706779 | A | Risk allele implies T-cell overactivation in vitiligo. |
LPP
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene have been implicated in various autoimmune disorders.
| GENE | RS ID | RISK ALLELE | IMPLICATIONS OF RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPP | rs13076312 | T | An increased immune response has been identified in risk allele carriers. |
HLA-G
The human leucocyte antigen family gene has been associated with an elevated immune response against melanocytes.
| GENE | RS ID | RISK ALLELE | IMPLICATIONS OF RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|---|
| HLA-G | rs2975033 | T | The risk allele is implicated in elevated immune response against melanocytes. |
Vitiligo and psychological complications
Though the skin condition may seem to be simple patches on the skin, there have been several psychological complications associated with the condition.
People with the condition have been reported to suffer from depression, social phobia, etc.
How to treat vitiligo?
This condition cannot be cured and therefore, it is crucial to treat the condition.
The most common treatment options available for this autoimmune disorder currently are:
- Topical steroidal and non-steroidal creams and ointments
- Photochemotherapy (PUVA)
- Depigmentation of skin
- Laser treatment
- Skin grafting
- Cosmetic creams to cover up the patches
- Topical application of Gingko Biloba (maidenhair) leaves a standard natural treatment modality
- Regular use of sunscreen
How to manage vitiligo?
It is important to manage the condition efficiently, and the following supplements may help with it:
- Vitamin B12, vitamin C, and vitamin D
- Copper
- Iron
- Zinc
Recommended fruits and vegetables for vitiligo are:
- Bananas
- Apples
- Leafy greens
- Chickpeas
- Root vegetables
- Fig and dates
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3366044/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2891985/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4100418/
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