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Why Do You Get Vitiligo? Causes And Symptoms Explained By A Medical Doctor

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Portrait of Dr David Tan
Dr David Tan

July 14th, 2019· 5 min read

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Itchiness of the skin, patches that form for no apparent reason and marks that grow over time are some symptoms that patients report without a clue of what they could point to.

These indications could point towards a condition known as vitiligo. What causes this perplexing skin ailment and how can patients manage symptoms?

Dr David Tan is an experienced General Practitioner with a special interest in vitiligo. Here are some of his key takeaways about vitiligo.

What is vitiligo?

vitiligo visible on hands

Vitiligo can be described as a long-term condition that involves pale white patches developing on the skin.

It can affect almost any area but most commonly occurring on:

  1. the face
  2. neck
  3. hands
  4. and skin creases

It often begins with a pale patch of skin and gradually turns white. These white patches may appear slightly pink when blood vessels are present underneath the skin. [1]

What are the symptoms?

lady scratching her arm

The main symptom that concerns appearance, with areas of depigmentation that may spread or form new patches on other parts of the body.

Vitiligo is not typically associated with an itch but some studies have indicated that 20% of patients have complained of itching so it is considered a possible symptom that follows vitiligo. [2]

What causes are linked to the condition?

vector on vitiligo

The underlying triggers that set off vitiligo are quite elusive and there is a possibility that multifactorial problems may be involved. Essentially, it is caused by a lack of melanin, a pigment in the skin, which leads to discolouration of the skin. [3]

Possible triggers include physical and emotional trauma

stressed out man

Although the underlying causes of vitiligo are still poorly understood, there are several triggers that have been associated with the development of the condition.

Emotional trauma like stress or anxiety may have the ability to instigate vitiligo.

Similarly, vitiligo can also be triggered by physical trauma, such as: [4]

  1. sunburn
  2. industrial chemical substances
  3. cuts
  4. scratches

There are two main types of vitiligo

vitiligo on girl

The two main types of vitiligo are namely non-segmental and segmental vitiligo.

Non-segmental vitiligo often appears on both sides of the body in the form of symmetrical white patches.

Segmental vitiligo forms white patches that only affect one area of the body. Segmental vitiligo is less common than non-segmental vitiligo in adults.

In rare cases, vitiligo can affect a patient’s entire body and it is known as universal vitiligo. [5]

Autoimmune diseases may also be associated with vitiligo

DNA

There are other reports that link patients with autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune Thyroid disease and Lupus, to an increased risk of developing non-segmental vitiligo.

Genetic factors may also play a part, with 20% to 30% of patients having a positive family history. Without other autoimmune diseases, vitiligo does not affect the health of the patient. [6]

There are several other associations with vitiligo

device pricking finger

Other conditions associated with an increased risk of developing vitiligo include: [7]

  1. Thyroid Disease
  2. Alopecia Areata
  3. Pernicious Anaemia
  4. Diabetes Mellitus

Treatments are heavily determined by individual cases

light therapy

Treatment options may vary depending on the extent and location of the white patches found on individual patients.

As a general rule of thumb, it is considered that earlier treatment can lead to better outcomes. [8]


Read more: 8 Dermatologist Clinics in Singapore for Your Skin Concerns (2020)


Dr David Tan is an experienced Singapore's Ministry of Health accredited doctor. Besides treating general skin conditions, his areas of interest include managing vitiligo, skin laser treatments and aesthetics dermatology. Dr Tan graduated with an MBBS from Australia. Following that, he has gained a Diploma in Clinical Dermatology and is certified in Ablative and Fractional Lasers in Singapore. On top of all that, Dr Tan is also trained in Internal Medicine in Singapore and USA.

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I hope that you've found this guide useful, and perhaps gained more insight into the application process. Most of the admissions-related information (admin and logistics wise) can be found on the official NUS Faculty of Dentistry website.

To help yourself out, you should take note of what people look for when they look for a dentist.

This article was written by Dr David Tan and published on Wednesday, 25 January 2017. Human medically reviewed the article on Wednesday, 25 January 2017. The last update was made on Friday, 18 September 2020.

Disclaimer: Opinions belong to the author and not to the platform.

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