Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a condition that affects the skin, causing loss of color in patches. It happens when the cells responsible for skin pigment, called melanocytes, stop working or die. This leads to white or light-colored spots appearing on different parts of the body. The condition mainly affects the skin, but can also involve hair and mucous membranes. It is not contagious or life-threatening but can impact a person's appearance and self-esteem. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it involves the immune system attacking the pigment cells. Sun sensitivity and uneven skin tone are common concerns for people with this condition.

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by the selective destruction of melanocytes, resulting in well-demarcated depigmented macules and patches on the skin. The pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic susceptibility, environmental triggers, and immune-mediated melanocyte destruction, often associated with other autoimmune diseases. The hallmark is the loss of melanin pigment due to melanocyte apoptosis or dysfunction. Clinically, it presents as asymptomatic, symmetrical, depigmented patches that may enlarge over time. The condition can affect any skin area but commonly involves the face, hands, and around body orifices. It has significant psychosocial impact due to its visible nature. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, supported by Wood lamp examination and histopathology showing absence of melanocytes.