What Is Known About Vitiligo?

Type:Uv phototherapy   Time:2016-12-26 10:10:16

Vitiligo is a very complex skin disease. It is characterized by a sudden loss of melanin in the skin, which turns it milky white in irregular patches. Complete knowledge of its etiology has proved elusive, despite decades of intense research. Vitiligo is a chronic, persistent and often progressive disorder - spontaneous repigmentation is uncommon.

The current thinking is that vitiligo represents a group of different disorders with a similar outcome - the appearance of white patches on the skin. The convergence theory states that stress, accumulation of toxic compounds, infections, autoimmunity, genetic predisposition, altered cellular environment, and impaired melanocyte migration can all contribute to the initiation process of vitiligo. Autoimmune mechanisms likely underlie generalized vitiligo, while a more localized phenomenon (i.e. the altered activities of sensitive nerves in the skin) may be responsible for segmental or focal vitiligo. Vitiligo may also develop at the site of physical skin trauma - this is known as the 'Koebner phenomenon.'

Not all white patches on skin are vitiligo ¨C in fact white patches resembling vitiligo are not unusual on the skin and are named leukodermas. Vitiligo is a specific form of leukoderma with distinct features that separate it from other leukodermas.

Chemical leukoderma can be induced by dyes, perfume, detergents, cleansers, insecticides, rubber condoms, rubber slippers, black socks and shoes, eyeliner, lip liner, lipstick, toothpaste, antiseptics with phenolic-derivatives, and mercuric iodide-containing germicidal soap. Chemical leukoderma may trigger occupational vitiligo or generalized vitiligo.

Occupational vitiligo may occur in those who work with depigmenting substances such as hydroquinone, paratertiary butyl catechol, paratertiary butyl phenol, paratertiary amyl phenol, and hydroquinone monomethyl ether. The only way to know if a depigmented patch on the skin is vitiligo or not is to consult a dermatologist with special interest in pigmentary disorders of the skin.