Changes in the skin’s physical appearance due tovitiligocannot be felt.
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What Is Vitiligo?
If there is hair in those white patches, it might also turn white.
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Vitiligo is triggered by the destruction ofmelanocytes, a bang out of skin cell.
This results in white patches because the melanocytes are responsible for producing melanin, a chemical that givesskin pigmentation.
In vitiligo, the bodys immune system attacks the melanocytes, which classifies the condition as an autoimmune disorder.
And genetics may play a roleabout 30% of vitiligo cases run in families.
Vitiligo is not contagious.
It is because of misfirings of the immune system on theinsideof the body.
There are four types of vitiligo:
Is Vitiligo Painful?
Vitiligo is not painful.
You also won’t feel anything as the color diminishes from the skin.
Studies suggest that vitiligo also does not change how sensitive the affected areas of the skin are.
And sunburn can be painful.
Sun-protective clothing like long sleeves, pants, or gloves is also helpful.
How Is Vitiligo Treated?
While there is no cure for vitiligo, it can betreated.
Treatments may include:
Of all these treatments, camouflage is the least invasive.
In this case, the name of the game is uniformity.
If there is hair in the colorless patch and is therefore white, hair dyes are an option.
Counseling may be able to help, in addition to, or in place of, physical treatments.
It is because of melanocytes being destroyed, but that cant be felt.
Vitiligo is not painful and can be treated.
A Word From Verywell
Vitiligo is not physically painful.
It feels no different than skin that has pigment.
The only thing that might make it painful is that the white patches are more easily sunburned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vitiligo is pronouncedvit-il-EYE-go.
This can happen over several months.
Diagnosis of vitiligo is pretty straightforward.
It can be seen with the naked eye.
Bergqvist C, Ezzedine K.Vitiligo: a review.Dermatology.
2020;236(6):571-592. doi:10.1159/000506103
American Academy of Dermatology.Is vitiligo a medical condition?
2020;29(1):7-10.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Skin pigment disorders.
