Vitiligo Causes / Causes Of Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder, it is one of the oldest disease recorded in history. It is has been described in Greek writing with the names of Leucoderma. Vitiligo has also been mentioned in ancient Chinese writings and Bible. It is known as Phulveri or Safed Daag in layman's language. But yet the exact cause of vitiligo is still not known, though, there are several theories about what causes Vitiligo, but no one is positively certain about any.

Many doctors believe that a genetic deposition or susceptibility is the main reason of developing or causing Vitiligo. It is also assumed by many researches of Vitiligo cure that it is an outcome of factors such as auto-immune, oxidative stress (excess of hydrogen peroxide), neurtophic (interaction of melanocytes and nervous system) and toxic (substance formed as a part of normal melanin production actually being toxic to melanocytes) hypotheses have been advanced. The mechanism involves the progressive destruction of selected melanocytes, probably by cytotoxic T-cell lymphocytes.

Other theories of Vitiligo causes include the possibility that an abnormally functioning nervous system may produce substances that impair melanocytes. Some believe that melanocytes in Vitiligo patients may be self-destructive, releasing toxic by-products that then destroy other pigment cell.

We know that some cases of Vitiligo skin disorder arise from exposure to certain chemicals, for example, phenols used in photography. Surgery wounds or injuries to the skin have also been known to begin with. Many experts agree.

Finally, there are alternative theories about Vitiligo that suggest diet nutrition, and digestive disorders may play a role in the destruction of melanocytes. Some believe that internal pathogens within the digestive tract such as yeast proliferation, might relate to Vitiligo.

Common Causes of Vitiligo

Some common Causes of the Vitiligo are as follows:

1. Physical and Mental Stress
2. Auto Immune Disease
3. Inheritance
4. Sunburn
5. Skin Trauma
6. Contact with chemicals

Physical and Mental Stress:
Physical stress includes all disorders that arise from the body including severe sun burn, Surgery, Neurological disorders, Brain disorders, Gastric disorders etc. Read More...

Auto immune Disease:
Auto-immune condition is thought to be the main cause of Vitiligo. The immune system mistakes the pigment cells melanocytes for foreign bodies and attacks them impairing their function to produce skin pigment resulting in white patches of Vitiligo on the skin. Read More...

Inheritance:
The most popular theory about Vitiligo cause is inheritance. According to the medical observation, Vitiligo sometimes transfers from one generation to another. According to research there are genetic factors that make an individual cause Vitiligo. In families, about 5 % of children and parents, and about 2 % of grand-parents are affected due to genetic factor. Read More...

Sun burn and Skin Trauma:
Sun burn can also be a reason to trigger Vitiligo. Excess of sun rays on the skin can impair functioning of pigment cell causing white patches on the skin. Read more...

Contact with Chemicals:
A major cause for the onset of Vitiligo is believed to be frequent contact with chemicals which may damage skin cells.
This type of Vitiligo is called occupational/chemical Vitiligo (LEUCODERMA). Read More...