Someone help me about vitiligo?

hi.... these days, i've heard somethings about vitiligo and it's scaring me... I've realized i have like few little white circles like really small... and like some white marks like something scratched me on my arm near my hand.... like if i iddn't hear about vitligo i wouldn't be scared... but now i know it's liek white stuff.. it's starting to scare me.. im 14 years old.. and the white isn't like really bright like vitligo. if you don't go close you can't even see it. does vitligo start out like that or something?

the white is kinda like the white when your almost growing hair. but it hasn't come out yet.

you may be worrying over nothing...unless this is a ghastly rash or becomes very inflamed...

Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in the human skin. The human skin contains special skin cells (melanocytes) that produce the pigment melanin which colors the skin.
In Vitiligo, the special skin cells (melanocytes) as well as the tissues (mucous membranes) that line the inside of the mouth, nose, genital and rectal areas, and the retina of the eyes are destroyed. As a result, white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. The hair may also turn white that grows in areas affected by vitiligo.
What causes vitiligo?
There are several theories regarding the cause of vitiligo (http://www.antivitiligo.com) but the actual cause is not fully known. According to one theory, people with vitiligo develop antibodies that, turn upon them and destroy their own melanocytes instead of protecting them. There is another theory according to which the melanocytes somehow attack and destroy themselves. Finally, some people with vitligo have reported that a single event such as severe sunburn or an episode of emotional distress is the main cause of this order. Scientifically, events of this nature have not been accepted as the main cause of vitiligo. These are merely coincidences.
Who is affected by vitiligo?
The number of people affected by vitiligo disorder ranges from 40-50 million. It forms about 1 to 2% of people in the world. 2 to 5 million people have the disorder in the United States alone.

Vitiligo affects all races and both sexes equally and ninety-five percent of its victims are below the age of 40.
What is the association of vitiligo with autoimmune disease?
In Autoimmune diseases, a person's immune system reacts against the body's own organs or tissues. Vitiligo is found to be more common in people with certain autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases that are associated with vitiligo include: hyperthyroidism (over activity of the thyroid gland), adrenocortical insufficiency (the adrenal gland does not produce enough of the hormone corticosteroid), alopecia areata (patches of baldness), and pernicious anemia (a low level of red blood cells caused by the failure of the body to absorb vitamin B12).
Is vitiligo inherited?
Vitiligo may be hereditary in some cases. Children of vitiligo affected parents are more likely to develop vitiligo disorder. However, most children will not get vitilgo even if a parent has it. Also most people with vitiligo do not have a family history of the disorder.

Large number of inherited disorders are associated with vitiligo. They include: albinism of the ocular type, autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome, congenital deafness with vitilego and achalasia, dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria, ermine phenotype, familial histiocyctic reticulosis, kabuki syndrome, and the syndrome of spastic paraparesis, vitiligo, premature graying and characteristic facies.
What are the symptoms of vitiligo?
White patches (depigmentation) on the skin are the foremost symbol of vitiligo. These patches are more common in sun-exposed areas, including the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other common areas are the armpits and groin, and around the mouth, eyes, nostrils, navel, and genitals.
Vitiligo generally appears in one of three patterns: focal pattern, segmental pattern and generalized pattern. In focal pattern, the depigmentation is limited to one or only a few areas. In segmental pattern, depigmented patches are developed on only one side of the body. But in the generalized pattern, depigmentation occurs on different parts of the body.

Hi, I have vitiligo and I hope I can help you. I have white patches, especially around my fingertips. I also have it around my toes and a few tiny ones (on my wrist, elbow and belly). I noticed the patches in my hands first of all, and then the rest appeared (or maybe they were always there but I never noticed them). If you go to the doctors they will be able to diagnose you, but dont worry too much unless it starts spreading fast. The truth is it has never bothered me, maybe because my skin is very pale so I can only really see them in the summer when I get a bit of sun.

thats exactally how it started for me and i went to see a dermatologist about it and she said you have vitiligo so she gave me these creams that i use one for 2 weeks then use the other for 2 weeks then switch bakc and fourth and then if the creme works for you there are little dots that will show up on the white spots which is a good sign these dots look like little tiny freckles i suggest you go and see a dermatolgist and the cream is quite pricy!!! but if you have insurance it should be no problem and if you live in canada health care is free so again no problem but if you live in america it will be VERY pricy i live in canada so it wasnt to to bad hope i helped and get better!