Loss of skin color, known as Vitiligo, happens across the board to all races.
Anyone can have white patches suddenly appear on the skin.
It's not as uncommon as most people might believe.
In the US, there are a few million with this skin condition and the majority of them are kids of all skin tones.
Children can have additional symptoms like premature graying or a loss of pigment in the lips.
The good news is that it's not life-threatening.
It isn't a type of cancer and it isn't caused by any sort of infection.
You can't catch it or pass it on.
It's not a sickness; it's a skin disorder.
Our skin derives its color from the pigment called melanin.
Melanin is manufactured by the melanocytes.
These cells are found in the outer epidermal layer.
We all start out with about the same number of melanocytes.
How active they are is what determines how dark the skin will be.
The darker the skin, the more active the melanin-producing cells.
The lighter the skin; the lazier the melanocytes.
Supreme laziness is when the cells go on strike and stop production of melanin completely.
The first sign that production has ceased is likely to be a very small spot of skin that's much lighter than the surrounding area.
Those small spots can grow into large patches of lighter skin.
It can happen suddenly and rapidly or it can spread over a long time.
It can also just stay as it is.
There are three distinct kinds.
Focal vitiligo refers to white spots that are low in number and stay in one particular area.
Segmental vitiligo, the least common, favors one side of the body.
Generalized vitiligo, the most common, appears everywhere.
It's generally mirrored symmetrically on both sides of the body.
This skin condition favors certain parts of the body.
Areas that get the most sun exposure, skin folds and the orifices are likely places to find it.
The jury is still out on what actually causes it.
Some think it's an autoimmune disorder.
Others suspect that it's genetically inherited because nearly one-third of all kids who have it also have a family member who has it.
Diagnosis is as simple as seeing the white spots or patches associated with it.
For those with really fair skin, there's a diagnostic tool called a Woods lamp.
It uses UV light in a darkened room to highlight the affected skin..
A confirmation can be made by taking a biopsy to check for pigment cells.
There's no known cure.
Sometimes it clears up without any treatment at all.
Sometimes pigmented cells return when corticosteroid creams are applied.
Therapies using UV rays (PUVA and UVB) result in pink skin that becomes a more natural skin tone upon fading.
Transplanting melanocytes that are grown is a lab can also add color.
There are studies that strongly suggest that this skin condition can be corrected, or at least managed, by removing toxins and gluten from the diet.
Food allergies can trigger or exacerbate vitiligo.
Having a more natural diet plan that incorporates plenty of fruits and veggies while reducing red meat is a good place to start.
A healthy diet does not discriminate, either.
It's good for everyone, across the board.
You can find more information by visiting http://www.
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