Vitiligo

Vitiligo, also known as albinismvitiligo is a skin disorder characterised by a loss of pigment, leading to the appearance of white patches on the skin. Vitiligo is a dermatological condition that affects children as well as adults. Although it is not painful, it can significantly affect the patient's psyche and self-esteem. The condition can appear at any age, but is most commonly diagnosed in people between 10 and 30 years of age.

The causes of vitiligo can vary. Congenital vitiligo is caused by genetic factors. The development of vitiligo can also occur due to disorders of the immune and nervous systems. Discolouration on the skin may appear due to the destruction of melanin-producing cells. If this is the case, it is referred to as acquired vitiligo.

Characteristic symptom of vitiligo There are symmetrical, chalk-white patches – clearly demarcated from the rest of the skin. The lesions are located in various places on the body and arise as a result of a disturbance in melanogenesis. Bleaching stains, also known as depigmentation patches or discolouration patches, are neither painful nor itchy.

Treatment of vitiligo It usually involves light therapy and the topical application of medicines, such as glucocorticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. In some cases, the following is also used phototherapy, the aim of which is to stimulate the skin’s repigmentation processes. In certain situations, the following may also be used: laser therapy. Choosing the right treatment requires consultation with a dermatologist and depends on the type and extent of the skin lesions.