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Imagine waking up one morning with a white splotch on the side of your face. Over time, the splotch gets bigger and is joined by others on your hands, your arm pits, your head, your mouth, your belly button, even your groin.
Sound like a bad dream? It’s actually the sort of thing that happens on a daily basis to the millions of Americans who suffer from vitiligo
The disease -- which causes people to lose some or all of the pigment in their skin -- has baffled medical researchers for years, but scientists may have finally cracked the code on vitiligo -- the disorder that plagued Michael Jackson and currently affects up to 1 percent of the U.S. population.
The disease hits all ethnic groups with the same frequency, but it’s more noticeable -- and often more devastating -- for people with dark skin.
Thanks to new research, though, those with vitiligo may one day be able to kick this pigment-leaching puzzler of a disease to the curb.
Researchers at the University of Florida, the University of Colorado and elsewhere did a genome-wide study of over 800 patients with vitiligo and 1,300 patients without and found a dozen genes -- all associated with the body’s immune response -- that one researcher calls "potential problem children."
"We thought for a long time that vitiligo was autoimmune-related -- the antibodies and other immune cells seem to be acting out against the pigment-producing cells -- and now we have good evidence that it is," says Wayne McCormack, associate professor of pathology, immunology and laboratory medicine at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine in Gainsville, Fla.
While finding a cure is still "the $64 million question," McCormack says this latest research is a huge breakthrough.
"People with vitiligo face a lot of discrimination and fear. It’s even worse in places like India where it’s confused with leprosy," McCormack explains.
Case in point, vitiligo sufferer Michael Jackson was repeatedly mocked for his fluctuating skin tone, despite the fact depigmentation is a recognized treatment for vitiligo.
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I am 72 years old and have vitiligo. Most of the pigment is gone from my arms. It is showing on my legs now. I have a little on my face. It is repulsive to most people. I have to be very careful in the sun. If I get a scratch it seems to take a long while to heal. I probably won't see the cure in my lifetime, but I sincerely hope there will be a cure so my grandchildren don't have to experience this embarrassment. I don't know if it is hereditary. I don't recall this in my family history. I am glad to see this article and at least someone is studying this ailment.
I am part of this 1%. This is wonderful news - now lets find a way to cure it.
I'm a white woman with vitiligo on hands etc. In the summer when I tan cashiers often ask me to put the money on the counter - they won't touch my hands. My 17 year old niece, therefore, makes an effort each time she sees to me to kiss each of my blotchy hands. I've tried every treatment, including the latest laser treatment to repigment my face, but I don't respond to any treatment. My boyfriend says I am beautiful so I only wear Dermablend when I go so a place where someone else (like a bride!) should be the focus. otherwise, I volunteer for every clinical study and follow the literature because diabetes, leukemia, thyroid are all linked to this same autoimmune disorder. Get tested each year, and god bless all of us for our uniqueness!
I was diagnosed with this condition 17 years ago when all the skin on the left side of my face, my eyelashes and chunks of my hair turned white over a six month period. They told me then it was a genetic auto immune disorder. If it's taken this long to idenify a set of genes, I'm not encouraged that they are any closer to "curing" it in my lifetime.
I was diagnosed with Vitiligo 25 years ago after a bout with chicken pox. My doctors at the University of Michigan's children's hospital, that in all likelihood, my vitiligo was triggered by my body's immune response to the pox. It is so nice to know that researchers are getting closer to understanding this. As a child, it was extremely difficult to cope with other children and even adults who would react in horror at seeing my white knees, hips, and ankles like I (similar to India) had leprosy or some sort of horrible contagious disease.
I'm a Caucasian who has had this going on for at least the last twenty years. This last year I was just diagnosed with lupus and Sjogren's, both of which are autoimmune diseases with tie-ins to vitiligo. I'm a rubella baby with deafness also, and unfortunately, was given the rubella vaccine in the 70's before I got married which caused me to break out in full-fledged rubella. I also got the mumps and various other childhood diseases, so it's kind of take your pick with me which ones caused all of this.
Vitiligo is annoying and somewhat embarrassing for Caucasians, but it isn't the horror that it is for those with darker skin. So I cannot feel sorry for myself concerning that. My sympathy and wishes that they get this under control is for those African-American children (and East Indian children) who get vitiligo who will suffer from bullies because of something they cannot control. Michael Jackson had to deal with this and he was famous and could at least get decent medical care, and the makeup to even himself out. Most of these children will not have access to what he had access to, so hopefully a means to control this can be found soon.
Texas is so right--probably no imminent cure.
What I'd like is impossible--but what if every single person who wrote that Michael was trying to become "white" was forced to donate to a medical fund that supports research to find a cure for Vitiligo. It is a horrible disease and many, many people are treated with disrespect because they have it.
"What I'd like is impossible--but what if every single person who wrote that Michael was trying to become "white" was forced to donate to a medical fund that supports research to find a cure for Vitiligo. It is a horrible disease and many, many people are treated with disrespect because they have it." --helloauria
Well said, helloauria!! Great comments!! I TOTALLY agree!
I watched Michael Jackson go up with the cries of so much hate it was beyond belief. The Media/Press/American people called him everything under the sun for a liar to trying to be white to being a child molester. He was dogged all his life by the United States. His only relief was overseas. The stories were so hateful one could only wonder how he held up. Having a Family was attacked and Santa Barbara wouldn't accept the jury finding Michael not guilty on all charges. Now surprise the Media is reporting there is such a medical problem and all those attacks on Michael are oh well who cares. We in American don't care that we distroy people even children then we wonder why so many wealthy none racist move overseas to live and bring up their kids. Michael's children know how the USA dogged their Father all his life. Once their of age it would be wise to move out of the USA to live their lives without the racism/hate/discrimination that the USA has. May Michael rest in peace as it's clear God welcomed him home for a job well done. Much of what Michael did for those all over the World isn't published but billions benefitted. I wish people with the same medical problem had supported up over the many years of attacks on Michael. Now as Michael's name is published or announced the Media/Press/Americans still have to use the false charges against him. Michael didn't learn the lesson of other successful artist long before him that left the US for the same reasons.
AMEN!
I couldn't have said it any better!!! My niece who is now 16 - has Vitiligo. She came down with it at the age of 4. For YEARS I would wonder what she thought when "adults" called Michael Jackson all kinds of horrible names for his skin discoloration. I often wondered if she would fear that the same adults would taunt her in the same way as evidentally - that is how some of society chose to treat someone with Vitiligo who also was a man in the hearts of MANY if not the WHOLE world almost!!! After a year of his passing, I still cannot believe he is gone. I can't believe that NOW, the FBI has cleared him...NOW people act like Vitiligo is something that is JUST being discovered.... My heart still weeps for Michael Jackson, and the pain he went through....both physically, mentally, and emotionally. I weep that he is gone, but I'm glad he's no longer dealing with the pain he tried to endure.
I've been with my cousin out and about....have seen the stares, heard the words, the name-calling and what not. But she has accepted all of this with Grace. She is probably 50 - 60% affected so there is no hiding it unless she wears makeup to cover it and I told her that if she didn't want to "cover up" what God gave her...then don't. And she quit using make up. I'm proud of her. Proud that even though adults have made the matter unbearable at times, she has stood taller!!
Helloauria...you are right! If everyone who called him names and NEVER picked up on the white sparkly glove on one hand....duh....if they gave a dollar, there would be enough to find a cure.
totally agree!! well said!! :-)
Perhaps people need to learn to edit their comments before posting them.No one likes to read or hear thoughts that are jumbled.
Mary-1116964
Why do you feel the need to splash someone in the face. Maybe you need to critique yourself and find a way to accept others with faults. Nobody is perfect.
I thought for years my blotches were the paint remover the navy made us use (with no gloves) that destroys pigment, I was diagnosed on an airplane, by the guy sitting next to me! (yea! I know) one thing he did point out that with no pigmentation these areas are very prone to melanoma.
I have since had it confirmed: vitiligo
Got it when I was about 13 and it covers most of my body but luckily not my face. I took a lot of crap growing up and I always had to wear long pants, long sleeved shirts and avoid the sun as much as possible. I told my wife that I want to be buried in a short sleeve shirt and bermuda shorts. Now at age 65 I don't worry about it much but I would like to see a cure for others.
I was diagnosed with vitiligo 22 years ago. Luckily for me I am a very light-skinned blonde and it is mostly in areas that are not very noticeable. I defended Michael, but even when I showed my vitiligo was not believed! People only want to believe the worst, because it makes a better story. I find it hard to believe there will be a cure in my lifetime. I also think those in the media who made a living writing stories about Michael Jackson trying to become white will not pay any attention to this vitiligo story.
I was diagnosed with vitiligo recently, at age 59. I remind myself of one of those old two=tone cars. I say be proud, let's make it the new fashion!
This is the best news I've heard in a long time. Even if a cure is not tomorrow I'm so happy progress is being made. I'm African American and it can be devastating. I'm just happy someone is paying attention and trying to help. Now forty, I started seeing white spots in my early twenties. They started on my fingertips then my lips, eyes, elbows, hairline, neck, feet and all those private areas. There are some days I feel like a freak and wonder constantly what it would be like to have even toned skin again. BUT I'm a trooper and I always try to remind myself I could have something worse. My sister and late niece suffer from lupus- which may be related and I've seen them struggle with their health. Just knowing that if one of my children becomes afflicted there may be a cure makes me hopeful. I'm not a vain person but I've succumb to relying on Dermablend make-up daily just to make me feel normal and attractive. I'm grateful for the researchers and the work they are doing. I'm scheduled to see my dermatologist next month, he's considered to be an expert on this condition working with the University of Cincinnati. I can't wait to pick his brain about the breakthroughs.
My son has had vitiligo since he was in diapers. He is now 13. After taking him to numerous dermatologists I finally found one that uses UV lights to treat this. He has been lucky in the past that over time those areas affected eventually repigmented on their own. Now with the light treatment most areas have pigmented quicker. He was starting to get these spots around his mouth and I needed to do something instead of waiting for it repigment. The teen years are tough enough! This new dermatologist gave him folic acid and Vitamin C supplements. I am not sure which worked most, but the combination of three light treatments per week and these supplements have shown great improvements. I dont think this is a cure, as we know they can regress and new areas can appear. By the way, insurance doesn't cover this light treatment. They classify vitiligo treatments as cosmetic. Never mind that it affects many psychologically. Unbelievable!!!
I saw a small blotch on the side of my neck, about the size of a quarter, about 30 years ago. Now it covers much of my body, and covers so much of my hands that folks think I was burned and the whiteness is scars.
Much as Nati Girl says, even as a man I use Dermablend to look "normal."
As long as I can recall it's been considered an autoimmune condition, so I've been tested for a bunch of other stuff, and they found hypothryroidism, as well. I am concerned my daughter may one day exhibit the condition, so I hope they eventually find a cure.
my son also has vitiligo and hypothyroidism, he is 13. One would think there has to be a link. The question may be if you have one autoimmune disease does it make it more likely that you will get another one?
My mother had the disease start in her 40's. Eventually she lost all her pigment and was just very white skinned...no more blotches. She had to be so careful of the sun or she would burn terribly. She wore long sleeves, hats and gloves in her older years to keep from blistering. On my Dad's side of the family, his two sisters and one brother also had it. My uncle had blotches still when he died but both my Aunts were like my Mom and eventually were completely white. I have worried that it could be hereditary but my two sons and my grandchildren, so far have been free of it.
None of the articles named the medicine that Michael Jackson used to treat his vitiligo. I mean, how in the world does a black boy grow up to become an asian woman?
And sometimes, like in Michael's case, it also causes tiny, removeable noses, deep chin clefts and other abnormalities.
Why do you have to be so mean-spirited and say such a spiteful thing?
I loved Michael, as an entertainer. Sad that he went off the deep end. Vitiligo was the least of his problems.
Michael Jackson had lupus in addition to Vitiligo. Lupus is a painful autoimmune disorder. In addition, he suffered from pain due to accidents and repetitive injuries from dancing, and pain due to the horrible fire injuries to his scalp.
I imagine very few people could have been able to avoid some type of drug dependency, in those same circumstances. Plus when your livelihood depends on appearance, the splotches and discolorations of vitiligo are crippling.
Some of you people will not budge an inch from prejudicial, illogical, or just plain ignorant beliefs. What a shame. It's easier to hide what stains you inside, than what marks you outside.
So happy to hear the news!!! I started getting white blotches on my stomach in my mid-20's. That was all until I reached my mid-40's and spots started to appear on my elbows, feet and wrist area. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease in my late 30's so I too believe that vitiligo and thyroid disease run hand-in-hand. I'm blonde and fair-skinned so the vitiligo doesn't show up as badly but it still bothers me. I'm 56 years old and hope to see a cure not only for myself but for the thousands of others who suffer with this. I have a daughter and hope she never inherits this or her children. C'mon Doctors -- let's work hard on this -- but thank you for the breakthrough!!!!!
My husband was diagnosed last year at age 54, when he started having patches of his hair turn white. The first thing the dermatologist told us was that he would have to be checked periodically for thyroid disease because thyroid disease and vitiligo often occur together. Both are auto immune disorders.
I really wish Michael Jackson had come out about his problem MUCH earlier. He wouldn't have had to deal with the ridicule, and would have given other people with vitiligo a lot of support.
He did - during a Oprah Winfrey interview in the 90's - but no one believed him. Even his dady came out and said that no one in his family had that disease.
ok everybody please respond to this thread if you have vitaligo and typhoid problems maybe we can try to take unofficial poll here that would be helpful to the Dr.s who are resea rching our disease . there seems to be a common denominater . it has never been suggested to me that i could also have a thyroid problem but my mom and sisters all have this in common .
I also have this disorder, for about 15 years now. Im a 30 year old male my mother and her twin both have thyroid problems but I don't.. Hope this helps.. We need a cure I gave up the best years of my life hiding and feeling different.. I dont no how much longer I can go on like this.. God bless the people trying to resolve this problem plagueing us..
Interesting! I too have hypothyroidism and vitiligo. There must be a connection. I am going to ask my dr. Thanks.
My 11 year old daughter was diagnosed when she was 4. I pray that the doctors and researchers will find a cure for this disease so no one else will have to suffer from the 'looks' that my daughter receives, especially from adults. Thankfully she is a strong girl and we have assured her that this is how God made her unique from others and that she can use her vitiligo in a positive way. No, this doesn't always make it easier, but the more people that know about this disease the better.
It's called "bleach" in MJ's case, wanting to be white. He had a disease alright.
stop poisoning this post with your crap we who suffer from this horrible problem wouldn't even wish it on somebody like you
Boohoo - just remember the old saying . . "There but for the grace of God go I."
Your disease damages you inside. It's curable, but first you have to acknowledge it and then you educate. Good luck!
I have vitaligo. I have a moderate case-all over my legs, hands and elbows. A little on my face. I would much much rather that time and effort go to research cancer treatment than something that really doesnt matter. This is a minor problem, and a blessing in disguise- I learn to be more confident in myself.
Maybe you feel that way because you have a moderate case that isn't on your face. Good for you that you learned to overcome having splotches on your hands. Now imagine that you're an african american teenager with huge white patches showing up on your face. For many, this is a horribly disfiguring disease that strikes at a time in life when they are the least equipped to deal with it. And that's just in America. Can you imagine being treated like you had leprosy?
i am 66 years old and grew up in jim crow south in a white family that abhorred racism and/or ignorance, call it as you will. the solutions to becoming immortals has begun or to quote the great detective the chase is a foot. alas, alac and aday,,,,what a nation we enjoy. it gives me pride daily that we nail the nay sayers to the wall! i still wonder however how true media has been replaced by neilson polls and hollywood or was it bollywood and now china wants to import actors what is happening i don't know i thought you were in charge. my perspective - nuclear mechanical operator, class 66-3, nptu, arco idaho. section leader section 8 before you freak that is the ones with iq's >160. it is getting better in spite of our best efforts and the truth will out. and this nation will continue with the other democracies on earth to improve this planets.
Proper sentence structure calls for capital letters at the beginning of sentences, when using proper nouns and the like. Correct grammar begs the use of the right syntax and proper usage of words and phrases in order to form coherent written experssion. When beginning a paragraph, it is appropiate to begin with an opening sentence with which to introduce the content to follow, allowing the remaining points to be clearly made and easily understood. My perspective- former educator, avid fan of literature, woman living with a chronic illness and a mother, doing my best to ensure my children are provided the necessary tools so that they may convey their written thoughts so that they are always understood. And lest I forget, IQ: 119
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service in the US Navy.