Vitiligo is an acquired skin disease that can occur at any age, appears as well-circumscribed, milky-white patches of varying sizes and numbers, and is characterized by melanocyte destruction. Although the disease is
asymptomatic (not causing any complaints), depigmentation (lack of color) in the visible areas causes serious cosmetic disorder and can be the source of a psychological
disorder, especially in people with dark skin color.
Although little is known about the pathogenesis (cause of formation) and genetics of vitiligo, it is a disease that has been known for thousands of years due to its striking appearance. Although it is thought to be seen at a rate of 0.14-8.8% in societies, regardless of age, gender and race, its possible incidence (probability of occurrence) is between 1-2%. Vitiligo can develop at any age. The onset of the disease may occur at any age between birth and age 81. Congenital vitiligo is very rare. 50% of patients are between the ages of 10-30.
According to one theory, genetic factors, stress, accumulation of toxic compounds, infections, autoimmunity, altered
cell environment, impaired melanocyte migration and proliferation are all responsible for vitiligo. It has been suggested that it may lead
to the disease.
Patients with vitiligo can usually attribute the onset of their disease to a specific life event, crisis or disease
. It can associate most illnesses with a job loss, the death of a close family member, an accident, and a serious illness.
Clinically, it has a round to oval shape, with slightly brushy or widely spaced scalloped
appearance. , with diameters ranging from a few mm to cm and generally without other epidermal (uppermost layer of skin) changes. lesions are observed. The color is usually uniformly milky white or chalk white. In people with very light skin, the lesions are not very obvious, but in people with dark skin, the contrast between skin with vitiligo and skin without lesions is striking. The hair on areas with vitiligo usually
turns white. Lesions are most commonly seen in areas such as the face, backs of the hands, nipples, axilla (armpit), navel, sacrum (coccyx), inguinal (groins) and anogenital region. Repetitive friction and trauma may cause damage to the backs of the hands, It may cause the areas with bone protrusions such as feet, knees, elbows and ankles to be affected
.
Clinically types of vitiligo
Localized (focal, segmental)
Generalized (acrofacial ( face and hands) and common)
Universal
Mixed
Diagnosis is usually made by anamnesis (patient's history), clinical findings and various laboratory examinations.
wood light (purple light ) and the increase in contrast between normal skin and lesioned skin are also used in making the diagnosis.
Since vitiligo is a social problem that causes cosmetic disorders and emotional stress in people, it has been tried to be treated with different methods until today. . There is no fully
ideal, etiology-focused, effective drug available for vitiligo so far. The patient's age and the type of vitiligo are the first two factors that will affect the choice of treatment. The success that can be achieved in the treatment of vitiligo may vary depending on the type of disease,
prevalence, skin color, age, the treatment to be chosen and the duration of treatment.
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