WHITE PATCHES

The human body consists of several components. Each component has its own functions. It is a perfect blend of everything. But sometimes, due to any external or internal cause, the functions of the body are disturbed and it starts having certain disorders. These disorders can be short-term and self-treated as well as long-term and chronic. One such condition of disorder is white patches on the skin.

Skin white patches can occur to anyone and can have different reasons. In the white patches skin loses its color and becomes colorless. The skin consists of melanin which is produced by the cells called melanocytes. When due to certain disorders, these cells start dysfunctioning and the melanin production stops, white patches on the body occur, as the melanin is responsible for skin pigmentation. 

These white patches can happen due to several reasons, one of them is leucoderma. Leucoderma is a skin condition that develops due to immunity disorder. When the immunity starts dysfunctioning, it starts attacking the body itself. It also attacks melanocytes cells and hence, the pigmentation of the skin is lost. But the white patches are not only due to leucoderma and can have other reasons as well.

Here are the symptoms of leucoderma to know if the white patches are due to it or any other reasons-

WHITE PATCHES OF LEUCODERMA-

Every skin disorder has its own symptoms. The white patches also have different ways to show up for different disorders and reasons. Here is a guide to identify skin white patches in leucoderma-

1. In leucoderma, the white patches start appearing on sun-exposed areas first. The parts that have the most chances of showing white patches first are hands and face. 
2. The white patches start appearing in small areas first and then spread over. It spreads for 6 months to a year. It can have different patterns as well and in some cases, only one side of the body is covered.
3. In leucoderma, the hairs start greying prematurely. Premature greying can also affect eyelid hairs, eyebrow hairs, and any other hairs of the body.
4. Leucoderma also causes loss of color inside the mouth. So, it is a sign to look for in case of white patches skin has.
5. Loss of color inside or outside the nose can also be visible in leucoderma.

ALSO, READ ABOUT LEUCODERMA IN FULL DETAIL >>

OTHER SYMPTOMS OF LEUCODERMA-

As leucoderma is an immune system disorder, it also shows many other symptoms. These symptoms can give the surety of the condition being leucoderma or not.

1. Sunburn- The white patches of leucoderma are more prone to sunburn. The melanin produced in the body increases while skin is exposed to the sun, it works as a shield to protect against the sun. In leucoderma, as the melanin starts dysfunctioning or is destroyed, the skin has no shield against the sun and becomes prone to sunburn.
2. Loss of hearing- About 12% to 38% of people face loss of hearing in leucoderma. The melanocytes cells are also present in the inner ear. The dysfunction of melanocytes can trigger the loss of hearing capability. Most people are unaware of the loss and have to be pointed out by someone else.
3. Eye problem- An eye problem called uveitis can also be experienced. This condition is triggered by immune system disorder and since leucoderma also has the same reason for the occurrence, uveitis can confirm if it is leucoderma or not. This condition causes inflammation in the eyes and redness. Almost 19% of people with leucoderma also face the same problem.

IF IT IS NOT LEUCODERMA, THEN WHAT IS IT?

Now that the symptoms and signs of leucoderma are known, self-examination can be enough to decide if it is leucoderma or not. It is necessary to know if the reason for white patches is not leucoderma then what it is? The reason other than leucoderma for skin discoloration is Pityriasis Versicolor.

PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR

Pityriasis Versicolor is another reason that can cause white patches on the skin. This is a fungal infection that is caused due to the excess growth of yeast. It causes small patches that are often non- spreadable and non-contagious. The skin in the Versicolor can either become whiter or darker than the surrounding area. It affects mostly teens and young adults and is treatable. The treatment can last from weeks up to a few months. The discoloration is not chronic and can reverse to natural skin color.

TAKEAWAY

Leucoderma is a chronic disease. Many specialists say the white patches of leucoderma can not be reversed. It is very necessary to self examine the white patches, and if it looks like leucoderma, take the medicinal help as soon as possible. Stopping these white patches from spreading is very necessary because it can not be reversed completely.