2006-08-04 03:23:58 · 4 answers · asked by smita d 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
leukoderma - vitiligo - loss of skin pigmentation, usually occurring in patches it is a disease, syphilis is a kind of leukoderma
2006-08-04 03:29:52 · answer #1 · answered by Jatta 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
leukoderma is a chronic skin disease that causes loss of pigment, resulting in irregular pale patches of skin. The precise etiology of the disease is complex and not fully understood. There is some evidence suggesting it is caused by a combination of auto-immune, genetic and environmental factors
Symptoms
Half of vitiligo patients develop signs of the disorder before the age of 20, with patches of de-pigmented skin appearing on extremities. The patches may grow or remain constant in size. Occasional small areas may repigment as they are recolonised by melanocytes. The location of vitiligo affected skin changes over time, with some patches re-pigmenting and others becoming affected.
In some cases, mild trauma to an area of skin seems to cause new patches - for example around the ankles (caused by friction with shoes or sneakers). Vitiligo may also be caused by stress that affects the immune system, leading the body to react and start eliminating skin pigment.
Vitiligo on the scalp may affect the color of the hair (though not always), leaving white patches or streaks. It will similarly affect whiskers and body hair.
Psychological effects
Vitiligo can have a significant effect on the psychological well being of the patient. This is especially true for darker skinned patients as the contrast between pigmented and depigmented skin can be quite drastic.
In some cultures there is a stigma attached to having vitiligo. Those affected with the condition are sometimes thought to be evil or diseased and are sometimes shunned by others in the community, and are often called "CHUDS," which is a misnomer, being another disease entirely. People with vitiligo may feel depressed because of this stigma or because their appearance has changed dramatically.
2006-08-04 10:30:32 · answer #2 · answered by SPK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
leukoderma is a disease caused because of defeciency of melasis pigment
in this disease the skin gets whiter and whiter
2006-08-04 10:29:01 · answer #3 · answered by chinusan123 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like its something to do with the skin???
2006-08-04 10:28:16 · answer #4 · answered by A G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋