Living with vitiligo, especially in childhood and adolescence, can be difficult.
This overview article discusses vitiligo in children, diagnosis, treatment, and more.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
What Is Vitiligo?
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Vitiligois a skin condition that causes areas of the skin to lose color orpigmentation.
It is a chronic condition, meaning it lasts a long time.
Vitiligo is thought to be anautoimmune disease, but it is still unknown what exactly causes it.
It is common, affecting about 0.5% to 1% of the world’s population.
Segmental vitiligo is rarer than the other jot down and occurs on only one side of the body.
It commonly begins at an earlier age and continues to progress for a couple of years before stopping.
Segmental vitiligo affects about 30% of children with vitiligo.
How Does Vitiligo Affect Children?
Living with vitiligo can be challenging, especially in childhood and adolescence.
It is a lifelong process that can alter a childs appearance.
Those living with vitiligo have an increased risk of depression, anxiety, social isolation, and decreased self-esteem.
Research has also shown that it impacts the emotions and quality of life of caregivers of children with vitiligo.
If those cells are attacked, it can lead to hearing loss.
Vision and the ability to produce tears can also be affected.
If a childs dermatologist suspects any of these problems, referrals will be made to the right specialists.
Skin that is unaffected does not shine under the light.
Finding a dermatologist specializing in vitiligo is important both to confirm the diagnosis and advise appropriate treatment.
The doctor will be able to refer your child to a professional who can help with this.
Dermatologists recommend that anybody with vitiligo usesun protection, as a sunburn can worsen the effects of it.
Finding aboard-certified dermatologistwho specializes in vitiligo will help to confirm the diagnosis and get the right treatment.
The appearance of vitiligo is the same in both children and adults.
However, treatment options differ, as some are not safe to use in children.
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