Some small amount of pigment loss is a quite natural occurrence where skin has been damaged by sunburn, deep scarring or scratches. If there has been skin infection, blisters, burns or other damage to the skin some loss of pigmentation is often found. This type of pigment loss is temporary. A minimal amount of pigment loss can be endured and causes little or no worry and the mildly self-conscious might choose to cover any blemishes with freely available cosmetics.
However, more extensive pigment loss such as that experienced by vitiligo sufferers has been found to be very disturbing for children, young people and adults causing deep embarrassment, loss of confidence and psychological damage where the disfiguration extends across exposed parts of the face and body. While the sufferer feels no discomfort and has an otherwise healthy life, the disfigurement makes the sufferer feel socially unacceptable. Public reactions to a two-tone skin range from unnecessary tactile avoidance, to staring or turning away in discomfort. The sufferer feels rejected, demoralised and unworthy.
Pigment loss, also known as depigmentation, occurs when the melanin in the epidermis is destroyed or fails to be produced. The patch of skin with pigment loss appears smooth, shiny and white. The intensity and appearance of the patches associated with vitiligo are described under two major definitions: localized vitiligo and generalized vitiligo. Localized vitilgo appears as pigment loss in one area or segmental vitiligo where the patches to form a pattern. Generalized vitiligo can take several forms: acrofacial, affecting the distal extremities and face; vitiligo vulgaris, where the white patches are scattered and perhaps mixed with acrofacial or segmental vitiligo. Lastly, universal vitiligo showing as almost total pigment loss.
What is happening to cause this skin disorder? The epidermis is the top layer of flesh sitting above the dermis and subcutaneous tissue of fat and blood vessels. The epidermis contains melanocyte cells which produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment that determines the color of skin, hair and eyes. It is thought that an immune system disorder causes the melanocyte cells to stop producing melanin. Many studies have indicated that stimulation of the melanocyte can improve or completely revive the natural production of melanin, though relapse into the condition is too often recorded.
Treatment so far includes injection of healthy cell tissue, ultraviolet light and corticoid therapy. Other treatments for pigment loss include herbal remedies, surgery and Chinese medicine. Almost any area of the body can be affected by vitiligo with reports of vitiligo covering the thigh, arms, fingers, torso, neck and face. Where the extent of vitilgo has spread extensively across the body a sufferer may be advised that it is easier to induce deliberate pigment loss across the remaining normal skin-colored areas than to try to revive the melanin production across the area of loss. The drug Benoquin is then applied twice daily to the pigmented areas of the body until the normal color fades to match the depigmented areas. This type of treatment cannot be reversed and leaves the patient extremely sensitive to sunlight.
At the other end of the spectrum, albinism is not so much about pigment loss, but a complete lack of pigmentation and is a congenital disorder that gives the Albino very white skin, white blonde hair and grey or pale blue eyes. There are cases of both vitiligo and albinism everywhere in the world, though the incidence of albinism is thought to be slightly greater in Caucasian races where it is estimated that one in every seventeen thousand people are Albino. Vitiligo, however affects around two percent of the population and is more evident in people with dark skin. Medics and scientists are still studying why such pigmentation malfunctions occur but generally agree that it is associated with immune system disorder.
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