What is vitiligo as Kim Kardashian’s son diagnosed with condition

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Kim Kardashian revealed on a podcast that one of the son's she shares with ex-husband Kanye West has been diagnosed with a skin condition called vitiligo.

Speaking on the She MD podcast, the 43-year-old US businesswoman said her son “has vitiligo very mildly” – but didn’t specify whether she was talking about her five-year-old Psalm, or eight-year-old Saint.

But what is vitiligo and how do you know if you have it? “It is a long-term condition causing patches of skin to became paler in colour,” explains Dr Vinesh Mistry, an NHS GP and doctor at One Day Tests. “There are several types of vitiligo, but usually it is classified as generalised (affecting both sides of the body) or segmental (affecting only one part or side of the body).” The condition can affect any area of skin, but it commonly happens on the face, neck and hands, and in skin creases, according to the NHS.“Vitiligo can affect people of any skin colour – not just people of darker skin tones or those with mixed race parents,” adds Dr Mistry. “The condition is also not associated with skin cancer either.”“It is caused by the lack of melanin pigment in the skin,” explains Dr Paris Acharya, skincare expert and co-founder of The Ardour Clinic. “Our body’s melanin is produced by skin cells called melanocytes which is what gives our skin its colour.“Those who have vitiligo don’t have enough melanocytes to produce the level of melanin needed which is what causes the white patches to develop.

Triggers such as severe illness, stress and chemical skin injuries may also contribute, along with a positive family history.”According to the NHS website, non-segmental vitiligo (the most common type) is thought to be an autoimmune condition.