Every June 25th marks the World Vitiligo Day all over. It is an initiative that is aimed at creating awareness about the condition. It is a condition that is caused by a loss of colour in the skin, creating a variety of patterns from this loss. It also occurs as a result of autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system becomes overactive and destroys the melanocytes. Vitiligo affects about 1% of the world’s population.
The first symptoms of Vitiligo include patches., These patches are visible in areas that are exposed to the sun such as the face, hands, legs, and lips. Despite severity on the human skin, Vitiligo is not contagious. Vitiligo affects people of every race, however, it is more visible in people with dark or tanned skin. Though there is no exact cause of Vitiligo, it can be triggered by the following;
- Stressful Event
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Neural Cause
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Virus
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Genetic oxidative stress imbalance
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Harm to the skin due to a critical situation or cut
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Heredity
There are no guaranteed treatments for this, however, these solutions can help reduce the impact of the condition;
- Sunscreen
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Phototherapy with UVB light
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Depigmentation using strong topical lotions
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Skin grafting
According to recent research, People with vitiligo “may have natural protection against skin cancer”, according to BBC News. In Africa, there are various superstitions surrounding this skin condition, especially in parts that have limited access to education and enlightenment.
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