June 1, 2023 | Even if you have only a passing knowledge of the fashion world, it’s likely that you know who Winnie Harlow is, the Black Canadian supermodel with a very distinctive look. A former contestant on “America’s Next Top Model,” Harlow was diagnosed with vitiligo when she was only four years old. The chronic autoimmune disorder that causes skin to lose pigment or color has left the model with patches of white across much of her body. Bullied as a youth because of her skin tone, Harlow has gone on to establish herself as one of the world’s most popular models. She has appeared in high-profile advertising campaigns, on the cover of numerous magazines and has even launched her own line of skin care products. The former little girl from Toronto is now a role model for the millions around the world with the condition that impacts roughly one out of one hundred people, which is double the rate of some other autoimmune diseases, like type 1 diabetes.

June 1, 2023 | Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder, a type of disease that develops when your immune system attacks part of your own body. If you have vitiligo, your immune system attacks cells in your body called melanocytes. These are cells that make the melanin pigment that gives our skin its color. Depending on where in your body the immune system destroys these cells, you may have white patches and spots on your skin or the hair on your head may develop a white streak. The most commonly affected areas of the body include sun-exposed skin, wrists, the armpits, and the groin. In some cases, a person with vitiligo may lose color in part of an eye or develop a hearing loss, as the inner ear also contains melanocytes. If the body continues to attack melanocytes, the patches will expand, and new spots and patches can appear in other areas. People of all races and skin colors can get vitiligo, and the disease occurs about equally in people of all races.

June 1, 2023 | While the disorder vitiligo can run in a family, having a close blood relative with the disease doesn’t guarantee that you will get it. A number of genes are involved. Vitiligo develops when changes occur in these genes, and the changes happen in the right combination. Inheriting certain genes coupled with some trigger that activates the immune system may increase the risk of developing vitiligo. Among the known triggers for vitiligo are psychological stress or a severe skin injury. Vitiligo also appears more often in people who have moles on their skin called halo nevi. This type of mole has a white ring around it. If you see white patches and spots on your skin, it’s important to find out if you have vitiligo, although there are other skin diseases that can cause white spots. Vitiligo increases the risk of having some other autoimmune diseases like thyroid disease and alopecia areata, and some people develop hearing loss or a problem with their vision.

June 1, 2023 | A dermatologist is trained to diagnose and treat vitiligo. Sometimes a skin biopsy is required before treatment to confirm that the skin’s pigment producing cells have been destroyed, and your dermatologist may order some blood tests to look for other associated diseases. Once diagnosed with vitiligo, you and your dermatologist need to decide on a treatment plan. Some patients with only a few areas of vitiligo may not want to treat it or may just want to camouflage the areas with makeup. If you do decide to treat vitiligo, the main goals are to slow the progress of the disorder and restore color to the white patches of skin in order to make it look more even. Doctor Sara Shalin, the chair of the UAMS Department of Dermatology, says certain medications, such as corticosteroids or a calcineurin inhibitor, will decrease the inflammation and may be able to return color to the white patches. Special light therapy can also be used.

June 1, 2023 | Living with vitiligo, the autoimmune disorder that can cause skin to lose its color or pigment, can be difficult. Some people with the disease can feel embarrassed or upset about the change in their appearance. This can lead to low self-esteem and depression. Many people find comfort in speaking with a mental health professional to help them feel more confident and build their self-esteem. People with vitiligo should use sunscreen and wear clothes to help protect their skin from sunburn and long-term damage. If you wear self-tanning lotions or dyes to cover depigmented patches of skin, talk to your doctor about which lotion or dye you should use. About 10 to 20 percent of people who have vitiligo fully regain their skin color, especially if the disorder is diagnosed early or the symptoms are mainly in the facial area. There’s no cure for vitiligo but if you seek help, your dermatologist will help you choose the treatment that’s right for you and your skin.