Vitiligo

The pigment melanin is responsible for the color of our skin.  Due to the destruction of pigment cells called melanin the skin will develop chalk white spots or patches. This is known as Vitiligo. Though vitiligo affects people from all races, the condition is more visible in people with darker skin. The problem causes distress in people with dark skin. This is a chronic disease which starts with small areas of the skin and spreading to larger areas of the skin.  People within the age limit 10 to 30 are more prone to this condition. In about 30 % of the affected people the skin begins to re-pigment naturally if exposed to the sun. Causes of Vitiligo There are no definite causes identified for the development of vitiligo . It is considered as an autoimmune problem which attacks the pigment skins. •    In some people stress or illness acts as a triggering factor. •    According to scientists heredity may be a factor as there is increased incidence in vitiligo in people with a fami