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Treatment for patients with vitiligo--UV phototherapy
Type:Uv phototherapy Time:2015-05-15 9:21:19 Classification Classification attempts to quantify vitiligo have been analyzed as being somewhat inconsistent, while recent consensus have agreed to a system of segmental vitiligo (SV) and non-segmental vitiligo (NSV). NSV is the most common type of vitiligo. Non-segmental In non-segmental vitiligo (NSV), there is usually some form of symmetry in the location of the patches of depigmentation. New patches also appear over time and can be generalized over large portions of the body or localized to a particular area. Vitiligo where little pigmented skin remains is referred to as vitiligo universalis. NSV can come about at any age (unlike segmental vitiligo, which is far more prevalent in teenage years). Classes of non-segmental vitiligo include the following: Generalized Vitiligo: the most common pattern, wide and randomly distributed areas of depigmentation. Universal Vitiligo: depigmentation encompasses most of the body Focal Vitiligo: one or a few scattered macules in one area, most common in children Acrofacial Vitiligo: fingers and periorificial areas Mucosal Vitiligo: depigmentation of only the mucous membranes Segmental Segmental vitiligo (SV) differs in appearance, cause and prevalence from associated illnesses. Its treatment is different from that of NSV. It tends to affect areas of skin that are associated with dorsal roots from the spinal cord and is most often unilateral.It spreads much more rapidly than NSV and, without treatment, it is much more stable/static in course and its association with autoimmune diseases appears to be weaker than that of generalized vitiligo.SV is a very treatable condition that responds to topical treatment. Signs and symptoms Vitiligo on lighter skin Vitiligo on darker skin The only sign of vitiligo is the presence of pale patchy areas of depigmented skin which tend to occur on the extremities.The patches are initially small, but often grow and change shape.When skin lesions occur, they are most prominent on the face, hands and wrists.The loss of skin pigmentation is particularly noticeable around body orifices, such as the mouth, eyes, nostrils, genitalia and umbilicus.Some lesions have increased skin pigment around the edges.Patients who are stigmatized for their condition may experience depression and similar mood disorders. Causes Although multiple theories have been suggested as potential triggers that cause vitiligo, studies strongly imply that changes in the immune system are responsible for the condition. Vitiligo has been proposed to be a multifactorial disease with genetic susceptibility and environmental factors both thought to play a role.The TYR gene encodes the protein tyrosinase, which is not a component of the immune system, but is an enzyme of the melanocyte that catalyzes melanin biosynthesis, and a major autoantigen in generalized vitiligo. Immune Variations in genes that are part of the immune system or part of melanocytes have both been associated with vitiligo.It is also thought to be caused by the immune system attacking and destroying the melanocytes of the skin.A genomewide association study found approximately 36 independent susceptibility loci for generalized vitiligo.www.kerneluvb.com----The leader manufacturer of UVB Phototherapy.