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Vitiligo Causes and Risks:
Vitiligo appears to be an acquired condition and may appear at any age. There is an increased incidence in some families. Vitiligo is more noticeable in darker skinned people because of the contrast. The cause of vitiligo is unknown, but autoimmunity may be a factor, because there is selective loss of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) in the involved area without destruction of the skin or other nearby structures. This condition affects about 1% of the US population.
Lesions appear as flat depigmented areas with a darker border. The edges are sharply defined but irregular. Frequently affected areas are the face, elbows and knees, hands and feet, and genitalia. Also associated are sites of trauma and pressure.
Prevention:
unknown
Symptoms:
- family history of vitiligo
- sudden or gradual onset of flat normally textured areas of skin with complete pigment loss
Signs and Tests:
Examination is sufficient to confirm the diagnosis. No testing is required.
Treatment:
Most vitiligo goes untreated. Treatment is difficult and often not completely effective. Treatment involves giving the patients photosensitizing compounds then exposing them to ultraviolet light. Topical or oral 8-methoxypsoralen or trimethylpsoralen treatments must be repeated multiple times in order to achieve even partial repigmentation.
Prognosis:
The course of vitiligo varies. Some areas may repigment, but other new areas may appear. Depigmentation may be progressive.
Complications:
Depigmented areas are more likely to sunburn . Vitiligo is associated with three systemic diseases: 1) pernicious anemia , 2) hyperthyroidism , 3) Addison's disease
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop areas of skin that lose their coloring; there may be a need to test or monitor for diseases associated with vitiligo.
Vitiligo on the face: Complete loss of melanin, the primary skin pigment, occurs for unknown reasons. The resulting lesions are white in comparison to the surrounding skin. Vitiligo may occur symmetrically, especially on the face, or asymmetrically. The typical vitiligo lesion is flat (macular) and depigmented but maintains the normal skin texture.
Tuberous sclerosis is known as a neurocutaneous disease because it affects the skin and nervous system. Skin manifestations include patchy white areas (vitiligo) and white lesions called "ash leaf macula" because they are shaped like the leaves of an ash tree.
Spotty loss of pigmentation in the skin may follow diseases such as chickenpox. When the individual lesions heal, there may be decreased production of pigment in that area. This condition may improve with several seasonal tanning cycles.
Vitiligo consists of loss of the color of the skin. These areas may appear anywhere on the body.
Vitiligo consists of patchy depigmentation of the skin. These areas may appear anywhere on the body. The patches may be equally shaped (symmetrical), especially when they occur on the face. The hair in the affected area may also turn white.
Vitiligo: In patients with vitiligo, loss of pigment often begins over the back of the hands. If this is the primary area of involvement, a search should be made to determine if the patient has had exposure to phenolic disinfectants known to produce loss of pigment. Elimination of these compounds may result in return of the pigment that was lost.
Vitiligo consists of patchy depigmentation of the skin. These areas may appear anywhere. The patches may be symmetrical as seen in this photograph.
The white spots on this person's face have resulted from drug-induced vitiligo. Loss of melanin, the primary skin pigment, occasionally occurs as a result of medications, as is the case with this individual. The typical vitiligo lesion is flat (macular) and depigmented, but maintains the normal skin texture.
This is a picture of vitiligo on the face. Complete loss of melanin, the primary skin pigment, occurs for unknown reasons. The resulting lesions are white in comparison to the surrounding skin. Vitiligo may occur in the same areas on both sides of the face (symmetrically) or it may be patchy (asymmetrical). The typical vitiligo lesion is flat (macular) and depigmented, but maintains the normal skin texture. The dark areas around the eyes are this person's normal skin color.
This area of decreased pigment (hypopigmentation) is referred to as an "ash leaf macule" and is seen with the inherited disorder, tuberous sclerosis. Another finding, "confetti hypopigmentation" is evident as scattered white spots around the ash leaf spot.
Vitiligo is characterized by patches of depigmented skin. Here, the contrast is seen very clearly. People with very light skin may not notice small areas of vitiligo. This person is receiving ultraviolet light treatment to help normalize the color of the skin.
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