Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a specific form of acquired leukoderma of unknown cause, in which other causes were excluded.

It is a disease characterized by skin lesions of hypopigmentation, namely white spots on the skin with a distribution characteristic. There is a strong social stigma associated with the disease in some populations, particularly in blacks and in India, where patients with vitiligo are often marginalized.

Treatment

The treatment of vitiligo is always difficult and the appropriate therapy is chosen depending on the location and extent of injuries, the duration and even the type of behavior and reaction to doença.Caso the face (s) area (s) of depigmentation is (m) very extensive (s), is often opts for depigment the area of ​​healthy skin, to standardize the color groups - for this may be used cream hydroquinone.

Conversely, when the white spots are of small or medium dimensions, choice should be repigmentation. The most used method is the use of psoralens, by general or topical, whose function is to change the threshold of skin sensitivity to light being gradually increased exposure time daily until the appearance of redness.

This treatment is prolonged, ranging from several weeks to six months. Sometimes, the skin tone repigmentada is irregular, especially at the face. In some patients, the favorable results have PUVA method, in which the patient is irradiated with ultraviolet light.

The topical steroids or systemic allows also occasionally good results. However, should weigh up the side effects of this medication.

In some countries there are referral centers specializing in the treatment of vitiligo, which used different methods, with particular emphasis on phototherapy. The makeup has also been used for some patients, to mask areas of vitiligo which do not yield to therapy.

Prevention

As with most diseases of unknown cause, there are ways to prevent vitiligo. Since there is a family history in 30% of cases, family members of affected individuals may perform a periodic surveillance of the skin and use the doctor if injuries arise hypopigmentation, in order to detect the disease early, enabling start therapy immediately.

In patients diagnosed with vitiligo should avoid the factors that can precipitate the appearance of new spots or enhance existing ones, especially avoid using tight clothing, or to cause friction or pressure on the skin and reduce sun exposure as well as acquire knowledge to deal with stress.