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Vitiligo also known as
leucoderma, which simply means white (leuco) skin (derma), i.e. a
disorder where the skin 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
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amongst the dark skinned people.Due to destruction of the melanin
(pigment) cells due to lesser known processes (largely what is called as
an auto-immune disorder) the normal skin starts loosing pigments from
various parts of the skin, in a varying speed and extent. Our clinical
experience based on the treatment of over 4500 cases, suggests that
there is a strong genetic factor in the background of most cases,
especially those who have extensive vitiligo or those who have vitiligo
affecting the finger-tips, toes, lips or the genitals. The indication of
strong genetic factor is observed in the form of family history of one
or more of the auto-immune diseases such as vitiligo, diabetes,
hypothyroid, alopecia areata, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis or allergies.
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. Estimated 1-2% of the Americans
have vitiligo as per the survey made by the American Academy of
Dermatology. Males and females are affected equally, inclusive of
children age group. It may begin at any age. Childhood vitiligo is not
uncommon.
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