How Does
Where Does Vitiligo Start?
What is Vitiligo?
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Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in which white patches or depigmentation appear on the skin. It is caused when cells in the skin called melanocytes are either attacked and destroyed by the disease or possibly self-destruct. Anyone is vulnerable to vitiligo, regardless of ethnicity or gender, though the condition is much more visible on people with dark skin. There is no one possible cause for the disease. Any number of causes--such as a genetic predisposition that could be inherited or trauma or stress-related events--could possibly signal the onset of the disease.
Onset of Vitiligo
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The first appearance or onset of vitiligo occurs on the hands, feet and face. The condition is progressive, usually beginning before the afflicted is 20 years old. The condition is also likely to appear in areas that are affected by minor injuries or sunburns. Once the condition progresses, it spreads throughout the body. The condition appears commonly on areas of the body that are exposed to the sun--such as the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other affected areas can appear on the armpits and groin. It can also appear around the mouth, eyes, nostrils, navel, genitals and rectal areas.
The Patterns of Appearance
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Vitiligo can appear in three different patterns. One pattern, focal, is localized to only one or a few areas of the body. Segmental pattern only develops on one side of the body. Generalized pattern is proportional on both sides of the body. Generalized pattern is the most common for those afflicted with vitiligo.
eHow Article: Where Does Vitiligo Start?
