Vitiligo: When the Immune System Attacks & Causes Skin Discoloration

Vitiligo is a skin condition where the skin loses its pigment cells, causing skin discoloration or blotches. More noticeable in dark skin, this condition is an autoimmune disease and requires treatment. Art Saavedra, MD, talks about vitiligo and its symptoms.

Vitiligo is a condition where the immune system attacks the skin. Part of the function of your skin is to give yourself nice, even coloration. The cells that do that are called melanocytes. In vitiligo, the immune system specifically targets the melanocytes, and if the melanocytes are destroyed, they do not create pigment in your skin. So as a result, you may see uneven coloration, even salt and pepper-like coloration, and in some cases, complete destruction of all color of the skin.

Vitiligo can look differently in different patients. Generally, patients of very fair skin color may not even realize that their skin isn’t making pigment. It can be very much significant in patients of darker skin color. Whenever you see a change in discoloration of your skin, or in the tone, texture, or even whether your skin itches or not, it may be early symptoms of vitiligo and care should be sought.

Vitiligo is, again, an autoimmune disease. A disease where your own immune system targets the cells that create pigment in your skin. So generally, the treatments include suppressing your immune system. Sometimes we can do that locally, meaning in just one spot with the use of a cream. Sometimes, and in severe cases, when more than just one local area is involved, we may need to use more systemic medications. And interestingly, even light treatments for some patients.

[midnightcasinova]

Just watching the doc cured my depression, I'm ok with camouflage condition.

[benjamind]

I can’t help but to notice him smiling the whole time like he wants to laugh😂

[peterstoric]

I don’t know why, but I’ve always loved that I have vitiligo. I just wished it was more visible on me as most of it is on my chest/stomach in small spots. I’ve had it since I was born and I always saw it as a means of individuality and it was awesome. Plus it was kind of funny to say it was contagious to some new friends when I was little.

[tonysings]

I’ve had this condition ever since I’ve been about five years old. I used to hate the way I looked, but now I am proud of who I am. Even if there was a cure, I wouldn’t care, because I wouldn’t know what to do if I woke up one day and didn’t have vitiligo LOL. It would be very weird to look in the mirror.

[shaynebergwever]

I've had vitiligo since 2000-01, I found stop using all soaps, even limit Contact with Dishwashing, Laundry Detergents, avoid perfumed "non" soaps too. I used Sorbolene Beauty Bar, no scent. I avoid sunlight, as much as practical, I got night work and indoors. It took 15 yrs, but now I have very few eruptions and some pigment seems to have returned. I used no Dermititis creams, or Steroidal creams, as I found they did little. I live in Australias Tropical North, UV is extreme, 90% of the year, so it was a challenge to avoid it. I use no sunscreen(I should, melanoma is pretty common here), but rarely get more than 2hrs direct sunlight per day, I refer to myself as, A Shadow Walker, as I seek the Shade and Shadows all day, everyday, get more exercise too, it is often further to walk, chasing shade here. Best of luck and I hope I helped some. I swear by by method, wish I had before and after pics.

[jaynedavis]

I found out that I have vitiligo after seeing white spots on my forehead, my doctor said it was probably triggered by the stress of ending up in hospital (for my severe pain condition) right in the middle of moving house. I’d heard of vitiligo but I didn’t know white people could get it. I also thought my skin was as pale as it could get already (I’m the palest person). I guess I shouldn’t be shocked since I already had the rare kind of keloid scarring on the inside & the outside (I don’t get facial growths, just thick & rigid scars)

[agustinarojas]

I'm falling to pieces with this skin agony. And nobody never was there for me and everybody so fake. Everybody so fake I swear and everyone act like they care but they never find something meaningful of it and they say things by saying. I feel like they don't give importance to it

[maydayjj]

Im watching this cause it looks like i got this. It is what it is. God bless all

[SRPC]

I discovered white patches on my face which got bigger and I was diagnosed with Vitiligo last week :(.

I’ve since discovered it’s likely to be from always wearing rubber gloves at work. I’m making the swap to plastic instead.

[_AngelNayana]

Thankyou Sir for explaining this skin condition in a very simple way 👏

[kristineclevinger]

I've had vitiligo for almost 2 years and it is itchy as heck sometimes!

[flowerchild]

Anyone who is NOT sure about something on their body should go to their PCP or a dermatologist. I understand it can be very scary, but make sure to go to your doctor before assuming anything. There are some skin conditions that mimic vitiligo. If you still feel like something isn’t right with what the doctor said, then get another option. I ended up getting options from 3 doctors…the first misdiagnosed me twice, and then I went to another, but didn’t like her attitude or her staff’s attitude…they didn’t listen to my concerns, and then I finally found the doctor that understood my concerns.

[Ethanol]

I have vitiligo and have been bullied at school for it

[gamingx]

The psychological mishaps that comes with this particular skin issues, hasnt been easy. I am Gina jones from USA I find it really hard to get a suitor because of this condition. But doctor Iyhere had sent my treatments and I am quite optimistic. To cut

[elisazouza]

I have this and I never knew. I normally have olive skin but instead I have white patches everywhere that come out after being in the sun

[glensmith]

I'm 90% covered and have it in my hair all my life

[redarbz]

I don't know who told him to smile like a moron on such a serious topic, and probably traumatic for some patients.

[brendhesabadi]

I was about 8 years old when I found out I had vitiligo at first I didnt know what it was, but I quickly learned, while growing up I didnt care what I looked like because I switched schools and I did not care what the other kids think of me. But as I g

[mimikyulover]

Hi, artist here! I would like one of my characters to have vitiligo, but I don't know much about the topic, not being affected myself. Could you let me know how it works/feels? Of course I'll try and do my research too, but getting to know from real people would give me a 360° vision. Is there any common misinformation about it? It affects people only aesthetically or does it have other effects too? Or maybe you can share what your life experience with this condition is. I don't want to sound rude or like I "studying" you with a lot of questions, it's just that I would like to be prepared before potentially making stories and stuff. Thank you so much for listening, and if this is rude just tell me and I will delete this.

[aparker]

Is it bad that my hair also turned grey from vitiligo