Know Vitiligo
Possible disease mechanism
Weaker melanocytes are less capable of handling free radicals and toxins compared to normal cells. With this background there is an increased production of free radicals/toxins or a decreased ability to neutralize them, or both. So, there will be cell damage due to toxin. This cellular damage triggers the immune system to produce immune cells that can attack and destroy the abnormal and damaged melanocytes. Unfortunately, over time, these immune cells can also target and kill normal melanocytes, this is considered as hyperactive immune system or autoimmunity.
Interestingly, many patients with vitiligo also have vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is believed to play a role in preventing the hyperactivity of the immune system against its own cells, known as autoimmunity. By addressing vitamin D deficiency, it may be possible to help regulate the immune response and potentially slow down the progression of vitiligo. In Covid era and post Covid vaccination, there could be increased autoimmunity which in turn worsening the existing vitiligo or having vitiligo in previously unaffected individual.
When the cells are damaged, in some areas where no hairs present or hairs turned white, even after completely stabilizing hyperactive immune system or handling autoimmunity one can only achieve stagnant vitiligo but with no re-pigmentation due to lack of reservoir.