Description:

A forum for vitiligo patients and medical practitioners to discuss the disease, causes, research, different treatments, cosmetic coverup, sun-blocking and any other issues. Share what you know. Learn what you don't.



Objectives:

1) Increase awareness.

2) Encourage donations.

3) Speedup remedy for this condition.



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Vitiligo Web Sites at:

http://web.onramp.ca/cadd/vitiligo.htm

To post: send a message to vitiligo-interaction@egroups.com

To subscribe, send a message to vitiligo-interaction-subscribe@egroups.com or go the this e-group's home page at http://www.egroups.com/list/vitiligo-interaction

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What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is more commonly known as leucoderma, which simply means white(leuco) skin (derma), i.e. a skin

disorder where it looses its normal coloration. It is also medically known as achromia, which means loss of color.



Basically, Vitiligo can hardly be called as a disease but a skin- disorder that has more social than medical significance, especially amongst the dark skin people. Due to retarded melanin formation, there is loss of pigmentation.



The vitiligo sufferers are observed all over the world, including the white skin communities. However, epidemiologically most cases are recorded in India (8.8%) and Mexico. Males and females are affected equally, inclusive of children age group. It may begin at any age. Childhood vitiligo is not uncommon.



Vitiligo causes destruction of

melanocytes in the skin, mucous membranes, eyes, inner ear, and occasionally in hair bulbs.

Melanocytes provide the pigment that gives skin its color. The loss of melanocytes alters both the

structure and function of these organs and results in the absence of pigment, pigment cells at the border of the dermis and epidermis are destroyed.



Group Moderator: vitiligo-interaction-owner@egroups.com