Vitiligo: An introduction

 Fact Checked

STORY AT-A-GLANCE -

 Vitiligo is a skin condition that has been around for centuries and has been

documented in various historical accounts

 It is now being listed as an autoimmune disease where the immune system a acks

and kills o the cells that are responsible for the production of melanin

 Read these articles to know more about the symptoms, causes, treatment and

prevention of vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin condition that has been around for centuries and has been

documented in various historical accounts. The clear cause for vitiligo has not yet

been pinpointed because of varying external factors connected to its

development. However, it is now being listed as an autoimmune disease where

the immune system a acks and kills o the cells that are responsible for the

1
production of melanin.

Some of the earliest documents describing this condition go as far back as 3,000

years ago, some of which are found in Egyptian and Vedic texts. The only problem

is that there is no clear contrast between vitiligo and leprosy during those ages,

which led to the shunning of people with vitiligo from society because of the

2
collective fear.
These two conditions are di erent even though both cause depigmentation.

Nowadays, a wider array of diagnostic devices and clearer distinctions between

3
the two have lessened the societal stigma of vitiligo.

The psychological impact of vitiligo

The loss of the melanin in select areas of the body can lead to a heightened

4
sensitivity and risk of sunburn. But aside from this intolerance to sunlight, the

physical changes to a person’s appearance can also cause severe psychological

impacts on vitiligo patients.

This is because even though vitiligo has been proven to be noninfectious, some

people still tend to be frightened of it, and to even shame or ridicule those who

have it. The stigma of this can cause those with vitiligo to su er numerous

psychosocial issues and psychological repercussions.

Emotional e ects caused by vitiligo can vary from mild embarrassment to

complete loss of self-esteem because of the gradual change in the appearance of

those who have it. A 2019 study found that while vitiligo does not typically cause

physical impairment, the condition may cause a prevalence of depression and

stigma among patients. Almost 97% of patients were found to have an impaired

5
quality of life. To help prevent these emotional e ects, family support and

6
counseling are crucial.

Vitiligo can increase your risk for other autoimmune

diseases

People with vitiligo have also been observed to have a higher chance of

7
developing various autoimmune diseases, including:
• Alopecia areata — This refers to hair loss, which is caused by the immune

system’s a ack on hair follicles. It can be seen in various areas of the body,

8
mostly on the scalp or the face. The risk for alopecia areata does not depend

on race, age or sex, with everyone having the same risk as anyone else in the

9
population.

• Autoimmune thyroid diseases — The thyroid is responsible for the

production of some of the hormones that regulate important body

10
processes. Having an autoimmune thyroid disease means that the immune

system is unknowingly a acking the thyroid glands, which then causes them

to either produce too much or too li le of these hormones.

The body processes that depend on these hormones then go haywire,

a ecting the whole body system. Examples of autoimmune thyroid diseases

11
include Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s disease.

• Addison’s disease — This is an autoimmune disease in which the body is not

able to produce enough hormones because of the destruction of the adrenal

glands. Two of the important hormones these glands produce are cortisol and

12
aldosterone.

Cortisol is responsible for the regulation of blood sugar and in ammation,

while aldosterone functions by regulating both blood pressure and blood

13,14
volume by controlling salt and water levels.

• Diabetes mellitus — This disease occurs when your pancreas is unable to

produce enough insulin or when body cells have become insulin resistant.

There are two types of diabetes mellitus: Type 1 and Type 2, with Type 1 being

an autoimmune disease. Type 1 occurs when the body is unable to produce

insulin because the immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta

15
cells.
Read these articles to know more about the symptoms, causes, treatment and

prevention of vitiligo. You will also learn various holistic treatments and how you

can deal with this autoimmune disease naturally.

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 What is vitiligo?

 Fact Checked

STORY AT-A-GLANCE -

 Vitiligo is a rare skin condition that a ects up to 2% of the world’s population.

While this skin condition is not fatal, having these white patches makes a person

more prone to sunburn. There are mixed conclusions for its potential to increase

the risk for skin cancer

 Vitiligo is much more noticeable in people with dark skin. Some of the external

stimuli usually said to in uence the occurrence of vitiligo include stress, physical

trauma and pregnancy

Vitiligo is a rare skin condition that a ects up to 2% of the world’s population, and

about 2 million to 5 million people in the United States are a ected by this

1
disease.

Vitiligo is characterized by the loss of pigment in various areas of the skin. The

extent and severity of vitiligo varies from person to person, with some people

developing small patches, while others having large white areas that cover a

considerable amount of their skin. To determine the extent of the disease in

vitiligo patients, doctors may employ a couple of di erent tests, or a combination

of the two, that achieve a “score” re ecting the disease’s extent, stage and

2
progression.

The cause for the loss of melanocytes in the skin, however, is not yet known. A

2003 study reviewed scienti c research that back the possibility of it being an
autoimmune disease. This may be supported by the e cacy of treatment options

3
with immunosuppressive e ects.

While this skin condition is not fatal, it should be noted that having these white

4
patches could make a person more prone to sunburn. As for the possibility of a

heightened risk for skin cancer, there have been mixed conclusions. While it was

rst believed that vitiligo may contribute to the development of cancer, it is now

being proposed that the preexistence of vitiligo actually protects patients from

5
the development of melanoma.

Vitiligo risk and occurrence

The age when vitiligo becomes active largely varies among populations, although

6
patients typically start showing hypopigmentation in their 20s. The risk for

developing this condition is not dictated by race or gender, with every person in

7
the population having an equal chance of ge ing vitiligo. However, vitiligo is

8
much more noticeable in people with dark skin.

Some of the external stimuli usually said to in uence the occurrence of vitiligo

9
include stress, physical trauma and pregnancy. People a ected by autoimmune

diseases also have a higher risk of contracting vitiligo. The explanation for this

heightened risk is not yet fully understood, but it is commonly connected to how

10
the immune system mistakenly a acks healthy cells.

Common conditions mistaken for vitiligo

Depigmentation of the skin is not a symptom that is exclusive to vitiligo. Vitiligo

macules (discolored skin areas) share the same appearance as other marks,

which may be caused by a wide selection of conditions, as described below.

Because of the uncertainty and the lack of a clear di erentiation between these

conditions, vitiligo patients are commonly discriminated against or even avoided,

in fear that they may have contracted infectious diseases. Vitiligo is commonly

11
mistaken for the following skin conditions:

• Pityriasis alba — This condition starts with the development of pink scaly

12
patches, which then heal and leave white macules on the skin. The cause for

13
this is not known but it is usually a ributed to atopic dermatitis.

• Piebaldism — This genetic condition is characterized by the lack of

14
melanocytes at certain areas of the body. It is commonly observed in the

forelock or the frontal part of the head. Other areas that may be a ected by

this condition include the chin, trunk and eyebrows. While there have been

accounts of repigmentation, they are usually stable and do not spread or

15
reassume color, unlike with vitiligo.

• Tinea versicolor — This is a condition caused by the overabundance of yeast

16
in the skin. This causes small white patches on the trunk, back and arms.

• Leprosy — One of the common mistakes that people commit when talking

about vitiligo is wrongly concluding that it is synonymous to leprosy. In India,

there is a fear of people who have vitiligo because of the belief that these two

17
conditions are the same.

However, leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by bacteria,

18
Mycobacterium leprae, while vitiligo is an autoimmune disease and cannot

19
be transmi ed from person to person.

• Albinism — The di erence between these conditions can be easily observed

through the variations in the extent of the a ected skin. Albinism, a congenital

disorder, a ects the whole body, while vitiligo a ects only a portion of the

20
skin.
Albinism is not a condition that is acquired through time. On the contrary, it is

genetic and is not caused by the destruction of the melanocytes found in the

21
skin.

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 What are the causes of vitiligo?

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 While vitiligo has been widely studied by researchers and professionals, the

primary cause for this condition has not yet been determined

 There have been numerous instances where chemicals deemed safe for human

use or consumption have led to the death of the essential pigment-making cells in

the skin, thus leading to vitiligo

While vitiligo has been widely studied by researchers and professionals, the

primary cause of this condition has not yet been determined. The wide range of

external and internal factors in uencing the development of this disease has

made it almost impossible for researchers to narrow in on a speci c cause.

Factors that in uence vitiligo development

Some of the factors that have been linked to the progression of vitiligo include

the following:

• Having an autoimmune disease — Due to the spontaneous destruction of

the melanocytes in the skin, researchers have linked vitiligo to the immune

response commonly observed in autoimmune diseases. According to a 2007

study from The New England Journal of Medicine, the risk of numerous

autoimmune disorders is associated with DNA sequence variants in the

 NALP1 region. This shows that these autoimmune disorders, including

1
vitiligo, are dependent on the innate immune system of individuals.

• Genetics — It is suggested that genetics play a part in development of vitiligo

in families, with people having a higher risk for the disease if another family

2
member has it. Having a rst-degree relative with vitiligo increases a person’s

3
risk by about seven- to 10-fold.

Although genetics is one of the leading factors for the development of vitiligo,

studies have also shown that people with a genetic predisposition to this

condition do not automatically develop vitiligo in their lifetime. A twin study

shows that environmental factors still play a part in the development of the

4
disease, but the genetic factor still contributes a 23% increase in their risk.

• Oxidative stress — Studies suggest that oxidative stress may trigger the

process of apoptosis in melanocytes. Oxidative stress and autoimmunity

have been observed to interact with each other and produce a pathway that

5
eventually leads to the destruction of the melanocytes.

• Skin trauma — Vitiligo may also be caused by a wide variety of skin trauma,

from chemical exposure to physical damage. This hypothesis is also closely

related to the autoimmune theory, with the trauma eventually triggering an

6
autoimmune response against the melanocytes in the area.

• Stress — A 2015 study from the journal, Cutis, points to emotional distress as

a possible trigger for vitiligo. 1,541 patients were evaluated to determine the

role of psychological stressors on the progression of their skin condition. The

researchers concluded that possible sources of distress should be part of the

7
disease’s assessment.

Chemical exposure and the development of vitiligo

There have been numerous instances where chemicals deemed safe for human

use or consumption have led to the death of these essential pigment-making cells

in the skin, thus leading to vitiligo.

Dimethyl sulfate — In a 2016 study from Anais Brasileriros de Dermatologia,

researchers talked about two cases of leukoderma, or the hypopigmentation

of certain parts of the skin. Two male patients exhibited depigmented patches

8
on their neck, wrists and legs a er exposure to dimethyl sulfate.

Monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (MBEH) — In the late 1930s,

depigmentation was reported in workers who used gloves with MBEH with

repigmentation eventually starting once their exposure to the chemical was

removed. Today, monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone is used for

9
depigmentation therapy for patients who have extensive vitiligo.

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 Di erent types of vitiligo

 Fact Checked

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 Vitiligo has been divided into various groups and subgroups depending on the

extent and the location of the depigmentation

 Nonsegmental vitiligo is the most common type of vitiligo, a ecting almost 80% of

patients. It is characterized by symmetrical progression, with macules being well-

circumscribed

The behavior of this disease widely varies across the population, and due to the

di erent manifestations of this skin disease in patients, researchers have divided

it to di erent categories and subcategories.

Vitiligo classi cations

Vitiligo has been divided into various groups and subgroups depending on the

1
extent and the location of the depigmentation.

Two of the general groups of vitiligo are nonsegmental and segmental. These

categories largely depend on the location and the extent of the skin condition.

Segmental refers to when the macules respect the body’s midline, and the

condition’s progression does not exceed or cross over to the other side of the

2
body.
Nonsegmental vitiligo is the most common type of vitiligo, a ecting almost 80%

of patients. It is characterized by symmetrical progression, with macules being

well-circumscribed. This type can begin in any part of the skin, but is usually rst

3
observed in the ngers and the face. Nonsegmental vitiligo can further be

4
divided into subgroups, namely:

Acrofacial — Macules are o en found on the hands, feet and face, typically in

the perioral area.

Mucosal — Depigmented areas are typically found on the lips, mouth or the

genitalia.

Universal — The depigmented areas make up almost 80% to 90% of the skin.

Contact or occupational vitiligo is another type of vitiligo that is now being

studied. It refers to the apparent bleaching because of direct contact with

chemicals that can destroy the melanocytes in the skin. These chemicals usually

contain derivatives of catechols and phenols. However, researchers have also

noted that contact vitiligo may be a subtype of generalized vitiligo because of the

5
progression of depigmentation.

Segmental vitiligo progression to mixed vitiligo

While mixed vitiligo is not yet part of the classi cation, there have been numerous

cases where both segmental and nonsegmental vitiligo are observed in a single

patient. In most of these cases, patients start o with the development of

segmental vitiligo in their childhood years and then eventually develop

generalized vitiligo in a span of months or years. Some of the risk factors that

researchers have noted were the presence of halo nevi, or moles surrounded by

6
depigmented patches, and leukotrichia, or the gradual loss of pigment in hair.

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 Symptoms of vitiligo

 Fact Checked

STORY AT-A-GLANCE -

 The start of this skin disease is o en characterized by the development of

macules, which are small discolored spots on the skin. Depigmentation usually

starts in areas of the body that are more commonly exposed to the sun, including

the face, hands, arms and feet

 The rst signs of vitiligo usually manifest in people before they reach their 20s

The main symptom of vitiligo is the loss of pigment in certain portions of the skin.

Due to the contrast in color, cases of vitiligo are more observable in people who

1
have tanned or dark skin. The white patches are also more pronounced in

2
summer when people usually get tans from sun exposure.

The rst signs of vitiligo usually manifest in people before they reach their 20s.

3
However, this does not mean that vitiligo is limited to people in this age bracket.

Additional symptoms of vitiligo

Vitiligo usually starts with the loss of color on the sun-exposed portions of the

4
skin. While the color of these parts changes drastically, the texture and sensation

5
are usually preserved.

However, an increased sensitivity to sunlight is usually observed because of the

absence of melanin, which functions as protection against the sun. It is highly

recommended to employ protective measures against sunburn if you’re a ected

6
by this skin condition.

Aside from skin depigmentation, some other symptoms of vitiligo include the

following:

Loss of color in hair, eyelashes or eyebrows — The absence of melanocytes

in the skin may be accompanied by the loss of bulbar melanocytes, which are

responsible for hair color. This may cause the gradual depigmentation of your

7
eyelashes, eyebrows or some patches on your head.

Depigmentation of the tissues inside the mouth — The loss of melanin can

8
also be observed in mucous membranes and mouth tissues. White vitiligo

9
patches may develop on the lips as well.

Color changes in the eyes — There are cases in which the eyes, speci cally

10
the choroid, may exhibit some hypopigmentation in vitiligo patients.

How does vitiligo progress?

The start of this skin disease is o en characterized by the development of

macules, which are small discolored spots on the skin. Some accounts claim that

depigmentation usually starts in areas of the body that are more commonly

11
exposed to the sun, including the face, hands, arms and feet.

There is no clear course for the progression of this condition because of the

12
variations in the occurrence of vitiligo in patients. However, guring out the type

may prove to be useful in predicting the development of the disease. While

segmental vitiligo usually develops asymmetrically and is con ned to a speci c

area without crossing the body’s midline, nonsegmental vitiligo is more

13,14
unpredictable. The patches typically spread symmetrically.
The timeframe for the spread of this skin condition is unpredictable, too. As a

progressive disease, vitiligo sometimes takes years before a ecting a

considerable amount of skin. But in some individuals, it can develop at a faster

15
pace.

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 Vitiligo treatment options to consider

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 Conventional techniques for vitiligo help reintroduce pigment to the skin. It should

be noted that these conventional treatments may lead to numerous side e ects

that may a ect your lifestyle and skin health

 Ginkgo biloba has anti-in ammatory, immunomodulatory and antioxidant

properties. It also helps in decreasing oxidative stress, which is one of the factors

that in uence the development of vitiligo

The treatment for vitiligo incorporates varying approaches on dealing with the

gradual depigmentation. Most of these treatments focus on evening out the skin

tone and minimizing the obvious e ects of vitiligo on the appearance of patients.

To improve the appearance of their skin, some patients se le on using cosmetic

1
products to decrease the noticeability of their vitiligo.

Conventional treatments for vitiligo

Conventional techniques for vitiligo help reintroduce pigment to the a ected skin.

Some of the most common vitiligo treatments include the following:

• Phototherapy — This procedure helps even out the skin tone by exposing

the skin to UVB light, causing the skin to produce pigment. Two types of
 phototherapies that are now being used to treat vitiligo are targeted

phototherapy and psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA).

Targeted phototherapy consists of UVB exposure using a handheld device,

which concentrates the treatment to the a ected area alone. This procedure

is said to help repigment almost 75% of the vitiligo patches, with some

patients even achieving full repigmentation. However, this process may cause

2
some minimal blistering and ulcerations.

The other type of light therapy is psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) treatment.

This is done by applying psoralen, a pharmaceutical molecule derived from

plant chemicals, onto the skin and exposing it to UVA light. While this has

been acknowledged as one of the most e ective treatments for vitiligo,

patients have also been observed to have a heightened risk for developing

3
skin cancer in the long term.

• Depigmentation — This technique is usually prescribed to patients with

universal and widespread vitiligo. The procedure entails the removal of any

remaining melanocytes to even out the skin color of the vitiligo patient by the

application of monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone to the remaining

4
pigmented skin. But because of the removal of the remaining pigment, the

patient will have a much higher sensitivity to sunlight and will need to take

5
extra care for the rest of their lives.

• Surgery — This is o en the last resort for vitiligo patients when other

conventional treatments fail. This is done on people who have had stable

vitiligo for a couple of years. Skin gra ing or cellular gra ing is the most

common surgical technique and involves gra ing healthy skin onto the white

6
vitiligo patches to reintroduce melanocytes to the depigmented regions.
It should be noted that these conventional treatments for vitiligo may lead to

numerous side e ects that may a ect your lifestyle and skin health. Most of the

treatments that contain chemicals eventually lead to skin atrophy, which is the

7
gradual deterioration of the treated skin.

Another potential treatment in the future may be a procedure that manipulates a

protein called IL-15. Researchers announced in March 2019 that they had

discovered in a trial with mice that just two weeks of the treatment caused their

vitiligo to achieve repigmentation — and it lasted several months. However,

scientists are still developing a clinical trial if the same thing might work in

8
humans. Thus, you should consider natural remedies rst to address the

symptoms of this condition.

Natural and holistic treatments for vitiligo

A safe way to treat vitiligo is to use natural and holistic techniques, including the

use of the following herbs:

Ginkgo biloba — It has anti-in ammatory, immunomodulatory and

antioxidant properties. It also helps in decreasing oxidative stress, which is

one of the factors that in uence the development of vitiligo. Researchers note

that it is especially e ective in conjunction with other therapies, such as

9
phototherapy.

Bairesi complex prescription — A part of Uyghur medicine, Bairesi complex

prescription is a combination of psoralea seed extracts, Plumbago zeylanica,

10
Brassica juncea, Nigella glandulifera and Vernonia anthelmintic. It helps by

11,12
promoting melanogenesis in depigmented areas of the body.

Amni visnaga — Khellin, a furanochromone derived from the plant Amni

visnaga, has been observed to assist in the repigmentation of vitiligo patches

with constant use. This component of Amni visnaga is comparable to

 psoralen, the chemical used in the PUVA phototherapy, but without the

13
heightened risk for skin cancer a er treatment.

Before using these natural remedies for vitiligo, it is best that you consult a health

professional for the right dosage and proper application. It should also be noted

that the use of these herbs show varying e ectivity on each individual.

For vitiligo patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is strongly advised that

you consult with a health practitioner about the safest vitiligo treatment methods

you can opt for.

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 Vitiligo diet tips to remember

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 A healthy and balanced diet that helps regulate the immune system is

recommended for anyone who has or is at risk of contracting vitiligo. There are

also speci c vitamins and minerals that can help in promoting the production of

melanin

 People with vitiligo should not eat certain types of food to avoid aggravating the

symptoms of this condition

A healthy and balanced diet that helps regulate the immune system is

recommended for anyone who has or is at risk of contracting vitiligo. Studies

have shown that this skin condition can be directly a ected by di erent

components in the environment, including diet. There are also speci c vitamins

and minerals that can help in promoting the production of melanin.

Vitamins and minerals that may help improve vitiligo

Some of the essential vitamins and minerals that can help you deal with vitiligo

include the following:

• Vitamin B12 and folate — A 1997 study found that vitamin B12 and folic acid

(the synthetic form of folate), together with regular sun exposure, may help

1
promote repigmentation. Nutritional de ciency in both these nutrients have
 also been found to cause hypopigmentation by inhibiting the tyrosinase

2
enzyme. Some examples of foods rich in vitamin B12 are grass fed beef, raw

3
milk, homemade yogurt and pasture-raised, organic eggs.

• Vitamin D — Vitamin D has been connected to autoimmune diseases due to

its role in transcription, in conjunction with the vitamin D3 receptor. It was

found to inhibit Th17 cytokine production while promoting Th2, which assists

in the regulation of immune responses. In addition, vitamin D de ciency has

been linked to a heightened risk for multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus

4
erythematosus.

Sun exposure can also help optimize your vitamin D levels naturally, but

because vitiligo patients have increased sensitivity to sunlight, you can

instead get vitamin D from foods like eggs, shiitake mushrooms, wild

Alaskan salmon and sardines. Taking a vitamin D3 supplement is also a good

alternative.

• Vitamin A — Vitamin A is known for its role in immune response, regulating

tissue-speci c immunity and in ammation. Vitamin A metabolites have also

been linked to B-cell proliferation and T-cell activation, which may help

5
regulate and manage autoimmunity. Some good sources of vitamin A include

6
grass fed beef liver, carrots, spinach and broccoli.

• Zinc — A 2011 study from the Indian Journal of Dermatology suggested the

possibility of zinc having a protective mechanism that may be bene cial for

vitiligo patients. Zinc is believed to have antiapoptotic properties and is a

7
crucial component in melanogenesis. Foods rich in zinc include grass fed

8
beef, veal, lamb and cheese.

Foods to avoid when you have vitiligo

Vitiligo patients should avoid the following foods to avoid aggravating the

symptoms of this condition:

Wheat and other grain products — They contain gluten, which has been

closely linked to in ammation. Gluten can trigger the immune system to

9
a ack your melanocytes. A 2014 study from the Case Reports of Dermatology

showed signi cant improvement in a patient with acrofacial vitiligo a er a

gluten-free diet was put in place. Rapid repigmentation happened with the

10
depigmented patches within four months.

Sugar-loaded foods — Diets high in re ned sugar were found to promote the

production of proin ammatory molecules, which may aggravate vitiligo and

11
its symptoms.

Barbecued meat and processed foods — Barbecued meat may promote

oxidative damage and increase carcinogen production. The surplus of

oxygen free radicals in the body may worsen vitiligo. Likewise, patients

should avoid fast food and other processed foods because they lack the

12
nutrients they need to promote be er health.

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 Vitiligo prevention: Can you avoid this skin

condition?

 Fact Checked

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 It is believed that vitiligo patches are o en found in sun-exposed skin, so avoiding

prolonged and excessive exposure to sunlight, as well as employing measures to

avoid sun damage, may help prevent vitiligo

 For vitiligo patients, the prevention of vitiligo progression is also important. Here

are some of the tips that physicians and health professionals have recommended

While there have been numerous papers and studies focusing on vitiligo, there is

still no clear-cut solution to how you can decrease your risk of contracting it,

especially if you are predisposed to this health problem.

How to prevent vitiligo

One of the most common misconceptions about vitiligo is that it is a

transmi able disease. This mistake arises from the idea that vitiligo is the same as

leprosy or other transmi able diseases. But even if you maintain your distance

from vitiligo patients, this will not guarantee protection against this disease, as it

1
is not a contagious disease.

It is believed that vitiligo patches are o en found in sun-exposed skin, so

avoiding prolonged and excessive exposure to sunlight, as well as employing

 2
measures to avoid sun damage, may help prevent vitiligo. Other

recommendations for vitiligo prevention include the following:

Avoid injuring your skin — Vitiligo has been observed in areas of incisions,

trauma and lacerations that are otherwise una ected by this skin condition. It

3
may also be seen in areas that are subjected to mild friction on a daily basis.

Avoiding skin injury may lower your risk of developing vitiligo by decreasing

4
the possibility of melanocyte death.

Improve nutrition and diet — Diet can be an important factor in the

development of vitiligo, so you should always monitor it. Vitiligo patients have

been observed to have multiple de ciencies in essential nutrients, some of

which play an important role in the production of melanin in the skin. These

5
include vitamins D, B12 and folate. A well-balanced diet not only ensures that

the person has a lower risk of contracting vitiligo, but it may also help ght

6
various diseases.

Steer clear of chemical insecticides and pesticides — Numerous harmful

chemicals in pesticides and insecticides were found to cause oxidative

7
stress, which may give rise to numerous problems. Oxidative stress is one of

the proposed causes of vitiligo as it may cause the autoimmune response

8
that’s responsible for the death of melanocytes.

Keeping vitiligo from spreading: Prevention tips to

remember

For vitiligo patients, preventing vitiligo from progressing is also important. Some

of the tips that physicians and health professionals have recommended include:

Avoiding stressful situations — Stress, either emotional or physical, has

been identi ed as one of the possible triggers for the faster progression of

9
this disease. This is o en a ributed to the direct impact of stress on the
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immune system, which may trigger an autoimmune response. By avoiding

events or instances that may cause stress, you can minimize or slow down the

11
spread of your vitiligo patches.

Wearing sun-safe clothing — Mechanical damage, such as sunburn, may

12
contribute to the progression of vitiligo. If you have macules on frequently

sun-exposed skin, it would be best to cover them up with sun-safe clothes or

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use natural skin protection.

MORE ABOUT VITILIGO

Vitiligo: an

What Is Vitiligo? Vitiligo Symptoms

Introduction

Vitiligo Causes Types of Vitiligo Vitiligo Treatment

Vitiligo Prevention Vitiligo Diet Vitiligo FAQ

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