The widespread vitiligo is also called ala or pied among the people. Although vitiligo, which occurs in approximately one in every 100 people, can be seen in people of all ages, it usually shows the first symptoms under the age of 20. The extent of vitiligo, which only affects the color of the skin and does not cause any physiological problems, varies according to the patients.
What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is caused by damage to melanocyte cells in the body, which are responsible for the production of pigments that give the skin its color. Damage to melanocyte cells for any reason causes changes in the color of the skin. Treatment should be started as soon as the first spots of vitiligo appear, which only affects patients psychologically because of their appearance.
Vitiligo Classification
Vitiligo is divided into different classes according to the incidence, location and spread of the spots.
Local Vitiligo
Local vitiligo is divided into two types. The first type of local vitiligo is focal. In focal vitiligo, patients have one or more lesions but do not show segmental features.
Another type of local vitiligo with one or more patches is segmental vitiligo, which differs from focal vitiligo in that it is localized to certain parts of the body. Segmental vitiligo, which can be seen at any age, is especially seen between the ages of 5 and 30. It starts in a specific anatomical area and remains limited within this area. In men, it is most common on the face, neck, extremities and scalp, respectively. In women, it is most common on the face, neck, arms and legs, respectively.
Spotting that starts in one breast is usually a sign of segmental vitiligo. Factors that are effective in increasing vitiligo are not effective in segmental vitiligo. On the other hand, autoimmune diseases are less common in segmental vitiligo. However, patients with segmental vitiligo are more often accompanied by allergic symptoms.
Generalized Vitiligo
Generalized vitiligo is also divided into two. The first subtype of generalized vitiligo is acrofacial vitiligo. Acxial vitiligo, a type involving the face and hands, shows multiple lesions.
Universal Vitiligo
Apart from a few areas of normal skin, depigmentation is seen on the entire skin of the patients.
Mixed Vitiligo
The combination of more than one type of vitiligo is called mixed vitiligo. The areas most affected by mixed vitiligo include the face, neck and scalp. It is also often seen in skin folds. In addition, lesions are often found in areas where bones protrude, which are constantly exposed to trauma. These areas include the elbows, gums, outer forearm, inner wrist, inner wrist, finger and back of the hand.
Vitiligo Causes
The exact cause of vitiligo is not known, but some factors that increase the risk of developing it are known. For vitiligo to occur in the majority of patients, more than one risk factor usually needs to be present together.
The autoimmune mechanism is the first line in the risk factors of vitiligo. The immune system attacks melanocytes, causing damage to the membranes of the cells. This affects pigment production, resulting in vitiligo. Other risk factors for vitiligo include the following.
- Severe trauma
- Sunburn
- Febrile illnesses
- Stress,
- Autoimmune goiter diseases,
- Psoriasis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Diabetes mellitus,
In addition, vitiligo is also thought to be genetically inherited. Because 30% of vitiligo patients have the same disease in their family.
Course of Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a lifelong disease. Vitiligo, which occasionally enters periods of exacerbation, shows a development specific to each patient. For this reason, some patients develop a small number of plaques and these plaques do not change throughout their lives, while in some patients, the spots may grow and spread in a short period of time and cover the entire skin.
Vitiligo Symptoms
Vitiligo symptoms can be seen in people of all ages, starting from childhood to adulthood. The first symptoms are usually seen on the areas of the skin most exposed to the sun. For this reason, the first spots appear on the hands, arms, legs, neck and face. White spots on the skin are more prominent in women than in men due to the difference in skin colors.
The first and most common symptom of vitiligo is the sudden appearance of white spots anywhere on the skin. In the following process, this point grows and spreads. Vitiligo that does not affect any organ does not show any other symptoms.
Vitiligo Treatment
The aim of vitiligo treatment is to restore the skin to its former color. If possible, the underlying cause of my illness should also be found. If the cause of vitiligo is autoimmune, then patients are given immunosuppressive drugs. Another treatment recommended for vitiligo patients is antioxidants used to reduce free radicals.
Phototherapy
Whatever the underlying cause of vitiligo, melanocytes need to be stimulated in order for the skin to regain its former color. The most commonly used method for this is light therapy. These procedures, called phototherapy or excimer, are applied to ensure that pigments are produced more. In this way, while the appearance of existing spots is lightened, it also prevents the formation of new spots.
Depigmentation
Depigmentation is another treatment method used in patients where vitiligo spreads to the whole body. In order for this method to be used, the white spots of the patients should be more than normal skin color. Because this treatment eliminates the color pigments in the skin and fixes the entire skin in white color. This process, which is applied with a chemical called monobenzylether, takes approximately one year. The discoloration of the skin is permanent.
What Should Vitiligo Patients Eat?
Vitiligo is not a disease caused by allergies. This one therefore, it is not possible to control the disease. However, since vitiligo patients are more affected by the harmful rays of the sun, attention should be paid to a diet rich in vitamins A, E and B, which have antioxidant properties.
