Major
Biology
Anticipated Graduation Year
2022
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
Vitilgo is an autoimmune disease that causes depigmentation in the skin, where the melanocytes lose their function. Environmental factors can be another cause of the disorder. There is a common misconception about Vitiglo that it is considered more of a cosmetic issue, however, Vitiligo can have physiological effects on the patients that are diagnosed with this disorder. The alteration in metabolic pathways can be another cause of the disorder, where there is an increase in the induction of the reactive oxygen species producing a skin cell phenotype that’s senescent. Several theories have been proposed about the pathogenesis of Vitilgo, however, the most prominent theory is the “Convergence Theory”. Convergence Theory states how the degeneration, destruction, and detachments of melanocytes occur when several mechanisms work together. The diagnosis is straight forward where the presence of chalky-white, non-scaly, and amelanotic macules with margins that are distinctly found around the lips, periorificial, and areas with friction. No biopsy or laboratory tests are required for the diagnosis.
The depigmented melanocytes can be visualized at the bottom of the painting where different colors of skin types are stitched together (representing Vitiglo). The red thread resembles (the psychological effects) the Vitiglo patient's face. The skinless face represents (the patients) as they are the same as any other human and they are not defined by their disorder. The dark hallway represents the psychological struggles the patients face on daily bases as they try to meet societal standards. Patients diagnosed with Vitilgo may face discrimination as the skin is visible to others, especially with the emergence of social media and unrealistic skin and body standards. The title is the pronunciation of the disorder as it is often mispronounced.
This piece is dedicated to anyone who feels uncomfortable in their own skin and try to change who they are to meet societal standards.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Vit-ih-LIE-go
Vitilgo is an autoimmune disease that causes depigmentation in the skin, where the melanocytes lose their function. Environmental factors can be another cause of the disorder. There is a common misconception about Vitiglo that it is considered more of a cosmetic issue, however, Vitiligo can have physiological effects on the patients that are diagnosed with this disorder. The alteration in metabolic pathways can be another cause of the disorder, where there is an increase in the induction of the reactive oxygen species producing a skin cell phenotype that’s senescent. Several theories have been proposed about the pathogenesis of Vitilgo, however, the most prominent theory is the “Convergence Theory”. Convergence Theory states how the degeneration, destruction, and detachments of melanocytes occur when several mechanisms work together. The diagnosis is straight forward where the presence of chalky-white, non-scaly, and amelanotic macules with margins that are distinctly found around the lips, periorificial, and areas with friction. No biopsy or laboratory tests are required for the diagnosis.
The depigmented melanocytes can be visualized at the bottom of the painting where different colors of skin types are stitched together (representing Vitiglo). The red thread resembles (the psychological effects) the Vitiglo patient's face. The skinless face represents (the patients) as they are the same as any other human and they are not defined by their disorder. The dark hallway represents the psychological struggles the patients face on daily bases as they try to meet societal standards. Patients diagnosed with Vitilgo may face discrimination as the skin is visible to others, especially with the emergence of social media and unrealistic skin and body standards. The title is the pronunciation of the disorder as it is often mispronounced.
This piece is dedicated to anyone who feels uncomfortable in their own skin and try to change who they are to meet societal standards.