The opposite of Vitiligo, Melasma is a hyperpigmentary disease.
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.
Melasma is a condition with too much pigmentation, while vitiligo is a condition with not enough pigmentation. These two conditions are a result of entirely different processes and are unrelated to one another.
These two are very different diseases; vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disease that destroys the skin's pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) while tinea versicolor results from superficial infection by a yeast, Malassezia furfur.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that can affect skin all over the body. Pityriasis alba is not an autoimmune condition. It usually only affects skin on the face, arms, and upper chest. Pityriasis alba doesn't increase your chance of developing vitiligo.
The problem areas on the skin (lesions) often start as slightly red and scaly patches that are round or oval. They usually appear on the face, upper arms, neck, and upper middle of the body. After these lesions go away, the patches turn light-colored (hypopigmented).
Generally, a discolored patch on skin isn't cause for concern. Skin discoloration can be triggered by a number of causes, including: Atopic dermatitis (eczema). Sometimes a small area of skin becomes irritated, which results in a patch of skin that's lighter in pigment than is the skin around it (pityriasis alba).
Once you've been diagnosed with tinea versicolor, it's not something that can be cured. The yeast malassezia is always there as a part of the microbial ecosystem on your skin, and the patches can keep recurring, but there are ways to manage the symptoms.
Tinea versicolor is a fungal skin rash. It's caused by too much growth of a normal yeast on the skin. The most common symptom is patches on the skin that may look white, pink, or light brown. They may also look dry or scaly.
Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color. This happens when melanocytes – skin cells that make pigment – are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milky-white color.
Vitiligo often starts as a pale patch of skin that gradually turns completely white. The centre of a patch may be white, with paler skin around it. If there are blood vessels under the skin, the patch may be slightly pink, rather than white. The edges of the patch may be smooth or irregular.
Vitiligo can start at any age, but usually appears before age 30. Depending on the type of vitiligo you have, it may affect: Nearly all skin surfaces.
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 disease, or ulcerative colitis.
Acquired or genetic condition and localized or generalized hypomelanosis may have similar clinical presentation with vitiligo. Common differential diagnoses of vitiligo are nevus depigmentosus, idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, and tinea versicolor.
Diagnosis of Vitiligo
If you have vitiligo, the light makes affected areas of your skin appear chalky and bright. Other tests can include: Blood tests to check for other autoimmune diseases. An eye exam to check for uveitis, an inflammation of part of the eye that sometimes occurs with vitiligo.
What causes tinea versicolor? An overgrowth of yeast on your skin's surface causes tinea versicolor. This yeast thrives in warm, moist and oily environments, causing it to grow out of control in small colonies. These yeast colonies cause the symptoms of tinea versicolor.
People who have a weakened immune system are generally more susceptible to infections, so they are also more likely to develop tinea versicolor. The immune system may be weakened by things like certain types of cancer or medication that suppresses the immune system – for instance, following an organ transplant.
Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus. This fungus lives all around us, including on the skin. Normally, regular washing and showering removes dead skin and fungi (more than one fungus). But in hot and humid weather, such as during the summer or in tropical areas, fungi may grow more rapidly.
What causes vitiligo? Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease. This type of disease 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.
The difference between Vitiligo and Leucoderma is related to only their onset. Vitiligo is self-generated while Leucoderma can occur after a cut, a burn or after allergy from some chemical may it be your deoderant, perfume or any other beauty product. Basically cause of Leucoderma can be said accidental.
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis shows flat epidermis with basket weave stratum corneum and markedly decreased or absent melanin in the basal layer, which is histologically difficult to differentiate from vitiligo.
Vitiligo is associated with several comorbid autoimmune, systemic, and dermatological diseases, primarily thyroid disease, alopecia areata, diabetes mellitus, pernicious anemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Addison's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Sjögren's syndrome, dermatomyositis, ...
Research suggests that most people who develop vitiligo do so during childhood. As you age, Dr. Mohta says untreated vitiligo often progresses to involve the surrounding skin or create new patches of discoloration.
The disease does not affect life expectancy. However, it can have a significant impact on quality of life, especially psychologically and be responsible for disorders such as depression and anxiety.