Definition:
Vitiligo is a rare skin condition characterized by the loss by color pigmentation of the areas of skin resulting to an irregular white patching. It is associated with systematic diseases like the Pernicous anemia, hyperthyroidism and Addison's disease.
Diagnosis:
Usually an examination conducted by the physician is sufficient to confirm the diagnosis of the medical condition. However, blood testing to check thyroid levels and other hormones and skin biopsy may also be used to confirm or rule out other causes of loss of skin pigmentation.
Treatment:
Early treatments includes exposure to intense narrow-band UVB therapy (Tanghetti EA (2003). "Tacrolimus ointment 0.1% produces repigmentation in patients with vitiligo: results of a prospective patient series". Cutis; cutaneous medicine for the practitioner 71 (2): 158-62) Oral intake of trimethylpsoralen and adminsitration of corticosteroid creams, Immuno suppressant like pimecrolumus and tacrolimus and by the use of repigmenting agents such as the methoxsalen or the oxsoralen (Kwinter J, Pelletier J, Khambalia A, Pope E (2007). "High-potency steroid use in children with vitiligo: a retrospective study". J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 56 (2): 236-41).
Symptoms and Signs:
Signs of this skin condition includes the sudden or gradual appearance of flat areas of a rather normal kin with complete loss of pigmentation. Lesions appear in that flat areas with no pigment and darker border are seen and its edges are irregular and sharply defined. It is commonly seen in the face, elbows hands, feet and the genitalia.
Causes:
Vitiligo is said to be an acquired condition. Its cause is unknown but there are those who considered autoimmunity as a probable cause.
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