Zoom
Trash
Few conditions are as patterned and symmetrical as vitiligo. Sometimes, the spots match on both extremities in a mirror-image.
Woods light examination detects all the spots, especially in fair-skinned persons. In certain severe cases, a skin biopsy may confirm the diagnosis. A defining feature is that pigment cells in the skin are absent in vitiligo.
Vitiligo is sometimes a result of general diseases, such as thyroid disease among others. Associated cutaneous conditions include white hair and grey hair, alopecia areata, and halo nevi. There is no increased risk of malignancy. Skin cancers appear to be unusual.
An eye examination may reveal evidence of healed chorioretinitis or iritis. Vitiligo does not affect vision, and there are no critical hearing changes. Laboratory studies for detection of general diseases associated with vitiligo include:
Thyroid profile: especially TSH (radioimmunoassay)
Fasting blood sugar (to rule out diabetes)
Complete blood count with indices (to rule out pernicious anemia)
Why Does Vitiligo Develop?
Vitiligo results from many factors. The mechanism involves the progressive destruction of selected melanocytes by cytotoxic T-cell lymphocytes - buy benoquin otc
How Much Vitiligo Will You Develop?
Vitiligo is a chronic disease process. Its course is variable and unpredictable. Rapid onset followed by a period of stability or low progression is most characteristic.
Some vitiligo patients report some spontaneous re-pigmentation, particularly in sun-exposed areas. Treatment of vitiligo-associated diseases doesn’t produce re-pigmentation in areas discolored by vitiligo.