Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition in which sections of the uppermost layer of the skin lose their normal color, causing white patches to appear. The skin’s pigment is called melanin, which is produced by special cells, called melanocytes. When these cells are damaged or become unhealthy, they lose their ability to produce their normal skin color. Some areas commonly affected by vitiligo include the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips, but it can appear anywhere on the body. Although vitiligo causes no physical discomfort, the psychological stress of the condition may take an emotional toll.
Although the exact cause is unknown, dermatologists consider vitiligo to be a result of improper functioning of the immune system. This is known as an autoimmune disorder, in which the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissues – in this case, the melanocytes - mistaking them for foreign material. Research also suggests that it may also be a result of viral infections that cause the cessation of melanin production, or there may even be a genetic cause. Roughly 30 percent of patients diagnosed with vitiligo have a family history of the disease. Vitiligo is also often associated with autoimmune thyroid disease.
Vitiligo may also be brought on by contact with chemicals, particularly phenols, a type of chemical found in hair dye, household stains, and similar products. Environmental toxins in the air, food, and water, and the resulting free radicals, can accumulate within the body, causing cellular damage.
Other studies have linked the gradual death of melanocytes to emotional stress. Stress causes the body to secrete cortisol, an important hormone in the body that helps us cope with stress. The problem arises when we are subjected to chronic stress. In this case, the cortisol does damage to the body, including damage to the cells that produce skin color, due to free radicals and oxidative stress.
Vitiligo is also believed to be caused in part by deficiencies of certain nutrients in the diet. With a diet that is mainly comprised of denatured foods, such as white flour, white sugar and canned products which are low in nutrients and mixed with industrial preservatives and colors, the body is not getting all of the nutrients it needs to keep the skin in a healthy state. A diet rich in whole, fresh, and unprocessed foods, including plenty of dark green vegetables, would be advised for someone with vitiligo.
There are two types of vitiligo: segmental and non-segmental. The segmental type tends to spread more rapidly than the non-segmental type. Segmental vitiligo affects only one side of the body. After growing for 1 year, it usually stops spreading. This type occurs mostly in children, and is not associated with autoimmune or thyroid disorders.
Non-segmental vitiligo is the most common of the two types. It is characterized by new patches appearing on both sides of the body equally over a particular area. It often begins on the hands or face. It is chronic in nature, and tends to affect people over the course of their lives. It may affect a small area, or even the entire body.
The presence of pale and patched areas on the extremities of the body or other areas of the skin which develop into noticeable lesions is a clear indication of the disease. Vitiligo usually begins as a singular spot that spreads to other areas of the body, and depending on the type, it may develop into larger patches. Vitiligo is most noticeable among people with a tanned or darker complexion. The increase in spots is noticed as they merge into one another, until larger or most areas of the body are covered with white patches.
The spread of vitiligo is usually slow and progressive. Vitiligo spots can vary in size, shape, intensity of the loss of color and in the profile of their distribution. Vitiligo often becomes a chronic skin condition, while in some cases it may even resolve on its own.
Skin disorder is a sign that your inner body system is unbalanced. Merry Clinic's Vitilax herbal formula is specially designed by Doctor Li to manage different stages of vitiligo. It contains fourteen different Chinese herbs. They act together to balance your immune system and stimulate the repigmentation of the skin. *
Merry Clinic provides an integrated vitiligo treatment to treat vitiligo internally as well as externally. There are no known side effects of this vitiligo treatment and all products are made in USA by a GMP certified factory.*
Merry Clinic has also developed Vitilax Skin Oil as part of vitiligo treatment to be used on the white patches of your skin. It can help stimulate the skin cells to produce more pigment. *
