Vitiligo | Michael Jackson’s Skin Disorder

Vitiligo is a relatively common chronic disorder that causes depigmentation in patches of skin. It occurs when the melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation which are derived from the neural crest, die or are unable to function. The precise pathogenesis, or cause, of vitiligo is complex and not yet fully understood. There is some evidence suggesting it is caused by a combination of autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors. It is also common in people with thyroid disorders. The population incidence worldwide is considered to be between 1% and 2%.

The most notable symptom of vitiligo is depigmentation of patches of skin that occurs on the extremities. Although patches are initially small in size, they can often start to enlarge and change shape. When skin lesions occur, they are most prominent on the face, hands and wrists. Depigmentation is particularly noticeable around body orifices, such as the mouth, eyes, nostrils, genetalia and umbilicus. Some lesions have a tendency to hyperpigment around the edges. In a more general sense, vitiligo is similar in appearance to leprosy, and as such (in countries where leprosy is prevalent), individuals with vitiligo can be stigmatized for the similarities in appearance In regards to psychological damage, vitiligo can have a significant effect on the mental health of a patient. Psychological stress may even result in an individual becoming more susceptible to vitiligo. Patients who are stigmatised for their condition may experience depression and similar mood disorders.

Vitiligo is associated with autoimmune and inflamatory diseases commonly thyroid overexpression and underexpression.Addison’s Disease (typically an autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands) may cause vitiligo.

Treatment

There are a number of ways to alter the appearance of vitiligo without addressing its underlying cause. In mild cases, vitiligo patches can be hidden with makeup or other cosmetic camouflage solutions. If the affected person is pale-skinned, the patches can be made less visible by avoiding sunlight and the sun tanning of unaffected skin. However, exposure to sunlight may also cause the melanocytes to regenerate to allow the pigmentation to come back to its original color.

The traditional treatment (if any) given by most dermatologists is corticosteroid cream.

Phototherapy may also be beneficial. Using exposure to long-wave ultraviolet (UVA) light from the sun or from UVA, together with Psoralen, called “PUVA”, or with UVB Narrowband lamps (without Psoralen), can help in many cases. Psoralen can be taken in a pill 1–2 hours before the exposure or as a Psoralen soaking of the area ½ hour before the exposure. Lately, PUVA is being more and more replaced with exposure UVB Narrowband light at a wavelength of 311-313 nanometers. This treatment does not involve Psoralen since the effect of the lamp is strong enough. The source for the UVB Narrowband UVB light can be special flourescent lamps that treat large areas in a few minutes, or high power fiber-optic devices in a fraction of a second.

Studies have also shown that immunomodulator creams such as Protopic and Elidel also cause repigmentation in some cases, when used with UVB Narrowband treatments.

Alternatively, some people with vitiligo opt for chemical depigmentation which uses 20% monobenzone (monobenzylether of hydroquinone). This process is irreversible and generally ends up with complete or mostly complete depigmentation.

In late October 2004, doctors successfully transplanted melanocytes to vitiligo affected areas, effectively repigmenting the region. The procedure involved taking a thin layer of pigmented skin from the patient’s gluteal region. Melanocytes were then separated out and used to make a cellular suspension. The area to be treated was then ablated with a medical laser, and the melanocyte graft applied. Three weeks later, the area was exposed to UV light repeatedly for two months. Between 73 and 84 percent of patients experienced nearly complete repigmentation of their skin. The longevity of the repigmentation differed from person to person. In the 1980s, dermatology professor Aaron B. Lerner had pioneered a skin transplantation therapy for vitiligo.

In early 2008 scientists at King’s College London discovered that piperine, a chemical derived from black pepper, can aid repigmentation in skin, especially when combined with UV therapy produces a longer lasting and more even pigmentation than previous treatments .

A limited 2003 study in India of 25 patients with limited and slow-spreading vitiligo given orally-taken Ginkgo biloba found it to be “fairly effective therapy for arresting the progression of the disease”. A 2008 review of natural health products found studies to generally be of poor quality, but concluded that used with phototherapy, and oral Ginkgo biloba as monotherapy showed promise.

• Michael Jackson was diagnosed in 1986 with vitiligo and lupus; the latter was potentially lethal but was in remission in Jackson’s case. In a 90-minute interview with Oprah Winfrey in February 1993, Jackson dismissed suggestions that he bleached his skin, admitting for the first time that he had the illness. The admission went on to promote awareness of vitiligo, a relatively unknown condition before then.
• Graham Norton has white patches in his hair as a result of vitiligo.
• Lee Thomas, a news anchor and entertainment reporter for WJBK (FOX) Detroit.
• Krizz Kaliko, singer/rapper of the Strange Music record label. He has even named his debut album after the condition, vitiligo
• Doc Hammer, co-creator of the cartoonThe Venture Bros., has vitiligo of the scalp, which causes his hair to grow in two different colors.
• Thomas Lennon of Reno 911! fame.
• Eduardo Panlilio, Governor of the province of Pampanga in the Philippines.
• Mikel Jollett, lead singer of the band The Airborne Toxic Event.

Source: Wikipedia

Michael Jackson’s vitiligo

Home remedies on vitiligo

There are a number of remedies that you could use to treat vitiligo at home. First, to encourage the skin to begin re-pigmentation, you could take in some amounts of sunlight each day. Ensure that you do not overdo this because the white patches are very susceptible to sunburn and you could do serious damage to your skin.

It would be best if you exposed yourself to the sun for one hour a little after the sunrise and a little before the sunset. Use lemna minor or wild duckweed to treat your vitiligo. You should mix one part of lemna minor with one part of honey and take this solution twice a day.

You should also try rubbing fresh lemna juice on the white spots at least 3-4 times a day.

It is also highly recommended that you drink the extract of the St John’s wort herb for at least 5 months because this herb increases your photosensitivity. You should also control your diet and ensure that you are eating a healthy and balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, pulses, and nuts. It is also very important that you get plenty of rest and try to avoid taking on any stress. Quitting both smoking and drinking and detoxifying your system is beneficial to curing vitiligo. Adding vitamin B complex and vitamin C to your diet can also be help you treat vitiligo. However, you should also seek the advice of your primary healthcare giver because vitiligo can be caused by a number of other disorders.

Source: Home remedies

Homeopathy system offers reasonably positive treatment. Certain home remedies have been found useful in the treatment of Vitiligo. The use of goose foot is beneficial in the treatment of this disease. Avoid fast foods, citrus fruits, coffee, tea, cold drinks, alcohol, beer, non-veg, egg, etc. Turmeric mixed with mustard oil has also proved useful in vitiligo. The clay should be mixed in ginger juice and applied over the white spots once a day. Use a mild soap while bathing. Avoid using creams, powders and any other cosmetic applications. Another useful remedy for leucoderma is red clay found by the river side or on hill slopes. A paste made from the seeds of the radish is valuable in treating leucoderma. This vegetable should be taken twice daily.

Vitiligo Home Remedies Treatment Tips

1. Another useful remedy for Leucoderma is using the red clay.
2. A paste made from radish seeds is extremely useful in treating leucoderma.
3. Goosefoot vegetable is considered valuable in treating white patches.
4. Grind harad in garlic juice and apply on white spots. Eating garlic will also help.
5. Try to avoid stimulating beverages like carbonated cold drink, coffee and tea.
6. Avoid fast foods, citrus fruits, coffee, tea, cold drinks, alcohol, beer, non-veg, egg, etc.
7. Turmeric mixed with mustard oil has also proved useful in leucoderma.
8. Eat figs regularly. Figs have healing property for Leucoderma.

Source: Article click

Scientific studies on vitamins and vitiligo

Abnormally low levels of Vitamin B12, Folic Acid and Vitamin C are found in a large number of vitiligo patients.

A group of 48 people ranging in age from 10-70 years were given all B vitamins. Within two months, the white areas turned
pinkish, and after six months, all 48 people were reportedly free of the colorless patches.

“Folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation combined with sun exposure can induce repigmentation better than either the vitamins or sun exposure alone.

Nutritional deficiencies, both in animals and in humans, are known to alter melanin production. Copper and zinc deficiencies have been reported to induce hypopigmentation in various animals. Hypopigmentation of the skin and hair results from copper deficiency in humans; the depigmentation associated with chronic excessive molybdenum intake is related to a decreased storage of copper in the liver. Copper would seem of prime importance because tyrosinase is a known copper-requiring enzyme.

Patients with vitiligo show diminished blood levels of folic acid, Vitamin B12, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Prolonged oral administration of these vitamins was followed by definite repigmentation without side affects.

Source: www.recouleur.com/studies-vitamins-vitiligo.asp