Vitiligo is an idiopathic disorder of skin and hair characterized by melanin loss. Nonetheless thyroid disorder is a major cause of this pathology, other factors participate in its expression. Hormones such as, testosterone and estrogen have been suspected as drivers of this disorder.
Known vitiligo triggers include: A severe sunburn. Injured skin (cut, scrape, burn) Getting a strong chemical like phenol on your skin.
Results from a review in Frontiers in Endocrinology found that, among people with vitiligo, the most common thyroid diseases were: hypothyroidism. subclinical hypothyroidism, which is a milder form of the condition. Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is a specific type of AITD.
“Estrogen may be involved in the development of vitiligo, since at times the condition is identified during pregnancy, or after contraceptives or hormonal replacement usage during the perimenopausal period,” says Mohta. That said, pregnancy could also have the opposite effect on vitiligo symptoms.
Melanocytes in the basal epidermis control skin pigmentation through synthesis of melanin, a complex process thought to be primarily regulated by alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (αMSH) (Figure 1—figure supplement 1A and B).
Estrogen and progesterone are two of the major factors responsible for catamenial hyperpigmentation of the skin. Generally, the changes happen in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle when the serum levels of sex hormones are at their peak.
Hormonal imbalances are the primary reason for the condition called melasma. Certain treatments to rectify hormonal imbalances could lead to hyperpigmentation. Hormonal imbalances are often treated along with medication such as hydroquinone and retinoid for managing pigmentation.
About 15 to 25 percent of people with vitiligo are also affected by at least one other autoimmune disorder, particularly autoimmune thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis , pernicious anemia, Addison disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis ...
Pityriasis versicolor can sometimes be confused with vitiligo, as they both cause the skin to become discoloured in patches. But there are ways to tell the difference: vitiligo often develops symmetrically (on both sides of your body at the same time), while pityriasis versicolor may not.
Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentation disorder that affects 0.5–2% of the general population. [3] It has frequent associations with several autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune thyroid disease (present in 14–34% of vitiligo patients).
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease of the skin, which means that someone with vitiligo has an immune system that is malfunctioning in a small way.
Vitiligo is an under-recognized organ-specific autoimmune disease of the skin that results from cytotoxic T cell-mediated attack on melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the epidermis (18). The result is the loss of pigment in the skin, visible as white spots (Fig. 1) (19).
Environmental circumstances, such as stress, a bad sunburn, skin trauma, or exposure to a strong chemical, seem to prompt vitiligo development in people who are genetically predisposed to the condition. Triggers may also cause existing vitiligo patches to spread or progress in people who already have the condition.
While researchers are looking for a cure, treatment cannot currently cure this disease. Treatment can help restore lost skin color, but the color (repigmentation) may fade over time. To keep their results, many patients have maintenance treatments.
Vitiligo is associated with other autoimmune disorders and has been reported to develop following the onset of viral illnesses, such as HIV, hepatitis C virus, and cytomegalovirus.
Vitiligo patients with the NSV form of the disease are more likely to have another autoimmune disorder, with Hashimoto's being the most common. And Hashimoto's is the number one cause of hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels).
Disease Overview
The most noticeable symptom is a rapid loss of vision. There may also be neurological signs such as severe headache, vertigo, nausea, and drowsiness. Loss of hearing, and loss of hair (alopecia) and skin color may occur along, with whitening (loss of pigmentation) of the hair and eyelashes (poliosis).
If you have one, you are more likely to get the other. But they are two different diseases with two different treatments. Most people who have one will never develop the other.
Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but it may be more noticeable in people with brown or Black skin. The condition is not life-threatening or contagious. It can be stressful or make you feel bad about yourself.
Inflammatory vitiligo is rare and characterized by erythema, scales, and pruritus at the border. Although the inflammatory phase is usually transient, it can cause rapid depigmentation [1].
Well, hormones work as chemical messengers in your body. They play a major role in causing skin issues like acne, pigmentation, etc. when they go off balance.
Skin problems
Similarly, hormonal imbalances during pregnancy or the menopause can cause itchy skin while dry skin is a symptom of the menopause or thyroid problems.