Are you suffering from Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is more commonly known as leucoderma, which simply means white (Leuco) skin (derma), i.e. a skin disorder where it loses its normal coloration.  It is also medically known as achromia, which means loss of color.

Basically, Vitiligo can hardly be called as a disease, but a skin-disorder that has more social than medical significance, especially amongst the dark skin people.

Due to retarded melanin formation, there is loss of pigmentation.

The Vitiligo sufferers are observed all over the world, including the white skin communities.  However, epidemiologically most cases are recorded in India (8.8%) and Mexico.

Males and females are affected equally, inclusive of children age group.  It may begin at any age.  Childhood vitiligo is not uncommon.

Edited by Karen Shelton - July 04 2010 at 12:36pm

The choice of therapy depends on the number of white patches; their location, sizes, and how widespread they are; and what you prefer in terms of treatment. Each patient responds differently to therapy. 1) Sunscreens -- People who have vitiligo, particularly those with fair skin, should minimize sun exposure Tanning makes the contrast between normal and depigmented skin more noticeable. Sunscreen helps protect the skin from sunburn.

2) Steroid creams may be helpful in repigmenting (returning the color to) white patches, particularly if they are applied in the initial stages of the disease.

3) Psoralen photochemotherapy -- Also known as psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy, The goal of PUVA therapy is to repigment the white patches.

4) Topical psoralen photochemotherapy -- often used for people with a small number of depigmented patches affecting a limited part of the body.

5) Depigmentation -- involves fading the rest of the skin on the body to match the areas that are already white. For people who have vitiligo on more than 50 percent of their bodies, depigmentation may be the best treatment option.

6) Autologous melanocyte transplants ,. It is also very expensive, and its side effects are not known.
Consult a good Dermatologist.................
Here, u have to keep patience during treatment.... try to be psycologically strong............
The treatment may take time to cure, just dont go on changing doctors..........try to complete the treatment.

People who develop vitiligo usually first notice white patches (depigmentation) on their skin. These patches are more commonly found on sun-exposed areas of the body, including the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other common areas for white patches to appear are the armpits and groin, and around the mouth, eyes, nostrils, navel, genitals, and rectum.

Vitiligo generally appears in one of three patterns:

1. focal pattern -- the depigmentation is limited to one or only a few areas

2. segmental pattern -- depigmented patches develop on only one side of the body

3. generalized pattern -- the most common pattern. Depigmentation occurs symmetrically on both sides of the body.