Vitiligo: a Breakdown
Vitiligo is a skin disorder in which the skin has a deficiency of melanocytes in some areas, primarily around openings like the nose and mouth and areas with more bone prominences like the knees and elbows; however researchers have not yet discovered why this is, but currently the two most popular and widely accepted hypotheses are genetic and autoimmune causation. Vitiligo has also been noted to be be triggered, or impaired by psychological stress, hormonal changes like puberty and childbirth, trauma to the skin, and even exposure to certain chemicals. There are two main forms of vitiligo: nonsegmental vitiligo, and segmental vitiligo.
Regarding the genetics hypotheses of vitiligo, its inheritance is multigenic, with the majority of the studies so far
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The antibodies, which the body produces in response to foreign bodies in the blood, in vitiligo patients usually complement their melanocytes causing the antibodies to tag the melanocytes in order to signal that the immune system
Miller
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First, that the cytotoxic T cells and B lymphocytes confront the antigen differently, it is possible that MelanA only contains epitopes, the part of the antigen that an antibody attaches itself to, that induce cellular rather than humoral autoreactivity. The immune response to MelanA in vitiligo may be that cellular reactivity is prevalent and a humoral response is deficient. Likewise, it is also possible that the epitopes for B lymphocytes are inadequate or partially unexposed, therefore failing to stimulate an autoimmune response from them. Alternatively, there may be an unforeseen temporal aspect that may be significant when searching for Melana-A specific antibodies in patients with vitiligo as they could be produced after chronic disease
Xeroderma Pigmentosum is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in one of any seven genes. This genetic mutation is an autosomal recessive trait. This disease was discovered in 1874 by Hebra and Kaposi. People with this disease cannot have direct exposure to sunlight, or blisters on the skin may occur. There are only about 250 people in the world with this disease.
A study carried out by Telang (2013)(14) showed that 10 % of vitamin C applied topically decrease UVB induced erythema by 52% and sunburn cell formation by 40-60%. Vitamin C has a role to reduce the melanin formation by inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme that decrease dark spots. It has photo aging protection due to promoting collagen synthesis, as it is essential cofactor for enzymes required for its biosynthesis as a result, decrease wrinkle appearance (15).
When people are exposed to UV light, from the sun or, for example, in a tanning booth, the melanocyte cells make more melanin and pack together tighter, resulting in darker skin tones. If the skin is receiving too much ultraviolet light, the melanocytes may begin to grow abnormally and become melanoma during this process.
Vitiligo has been around for many, many years. “ Vitiligo has been described in medical literature for hundreds of years. The origination is unknown”, said Dr. Shane Morgan, a dermatologist from Lincoln, Rhode Island. Michael fir...
Albinism is a genetically linked disease and is presented at birth; it is characterized as a lack of pigment called melanin that normally gives color to a person’s skin, hair and eyes. This results in milky white hair and skin, and blue- gray eyes. Melanin is synthesized from amino acid called tyrosine, which originates from the enzyme tyrosinase. Albinism affects all races and both sexes; people with this disease have inherited a recessive, nonfunctional tyrosinase allele from both parents (Saladin 189). The inheritance of Albinism is coded in the gene of the parent’s alleles. Alleles are two different versions of the same gene or trait and are found on the same place of a chromosome. One allele is coded for the production of melanin that will produce normal skin, hair and eye color and another allele that represent the lack of melanin that produces abnormal skin, hair and eyes.
The skin is the largest organ in the body, covering the bones and internal organs, protecting them from injuries, it serves as a barrier to germs, and bacteria and helps to prevent fluid loss. The skin helps to control the body’s temperature and also aids in removing certain body wastes, therefore making it a vital organ just as any other organ such as the heart or brain.
Psoriasis is a disease that has been associated with humans since the beginning of time. It is a type of autoimmune disease that produces red, slivery, and scaly patches to appear on the skin. Autoimmune disease is a type of disease that occurs when the body’s immune system mistaken the body’s organs as foreign substance. Psoriasis is chronic and can affect people of all ages but it is not contagious. There are currently about 125 million people around the world suffering from psoriasis or about 3% of the world’s total population. This essay will discuss the importance, biochemistry, and the potential treatment options of psoriasis.
Albinism is a genetic condition present at birth, characterized by a small amount of melanin pigment in the skin, hair and eye. Albinism is an occasional inborn sickness related with vision difficult, which affect one in seventeen thousand persons. It is not a contagious disease and cannot be spread over contact. Albinism affects individuals from all races. Most folks with albinism have parents with a normal color of skin. Some may not even recognize that they are Albino until later on in their life. This paper will be based on the study of albinism, causes, types, the genetic transmission and some possible medical problem.
Albinism is a genetic disorder that is caused by the lack of pigments. Sometimes it only affects the eye which is called ocular albinism. You can receive albinism from your genetics. You can be an albino in your eyes, skin or hair. It affects people of all races and all around the world. Studies show one in 20,000 people worldwide have some form of albinism. Certain forms of albinism are more common in some populations. Most common form of albinism is OCAZ and is found in one in 36, 0000 Caucasians in the United States. There are four types of albinism; type 1 is characterized by white hair, very pale skin, and light colored eyes. Type 2 is less severe their skin is usually a creamy white color and their hair could be a light yellow, blonde or light brown. Type 3 has a form of albinism called “rufous oculocutaneous albinism” this usually affects dark-skinned people. They have reddish-brown skin, ginger or red hair and hazel or brown eyes. Type 3 has milder vision problems. Type 4 has the same symptoms similar to type 2. Types 1 and 2 are the most common forms; types 3 and 4 are not as common.
Melanin helps reduce the absorption of wavelengths into the skin (Chaplin, Jablonski, 59). The more melanin in the skin, the greater the protection against harmful UV rays, and the amount of melanin in the skin correlates with the skin’s color (more melanin means darker skin)....
"Oculocutaneous albinism." - Genetics Home Reference. N.p., 3 Dec. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. .
My plan is to investigate in my research from which perspective people prefer individuals according to their skin tone. My research will indicate the following research questions.
For this assignment Amy and I chose cosmetics and toiletries. A cosmetic is a preparation or substance that is used to alter certain parts of the human body it can change the odours or appearance of the body, clean it or protect it. Some of the items in this industry that are included in the description of the cosmetics and toiletries industry are hair care products, makeup, bath, shower and skin care products, fragrances, male grooming products, oral hygiene products, female sanitary items, deodorant and moisturizer and other cream. After several attempts at researching where cosmetics are produced and manufactured, we found that is very rare for most makeup and toiletry brands to be made in Australia after calling and enquiring to many different companies we found that most products are shipped from America or the UK. However, we did find that Procter and Gamble produces Billie goat soap in Australia and all of Lush’ products are manufactured in Canterbury in Sydney.
in shock and horror as her eyes were literally eaten away as though by acid.