Do You Know World Vitiligo Day... Early Diagnosis and Treatment Are Important

June 25 'World Vitiligo Day'
Autoimmune Disease... Common in Ages 10-30

June 25th is World Vitiligo Day. It was designated to raise awareness about vitiligo and to comfort and encourage those living with the condition.

Vitiligo is a type of skin disorder in which melanocytes are destroyed, causing the skin and hair to turn white. Approximately 0.5?2% of the global population is affected by vitiligo.

A patient receiving dermatology treatment.
Photo by Asia Economy DB

Clearly defined white patches appear, and hair in the affected areas, including scalp hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes, may become depigmented and turn white. It often begins in areas where the skin folds, such as the armpits or groin, or on bony prominences like the hands, feet, knees, elbows, around the mouth, or the genital area.

Half of the patients develop vitiligo before the age of 20, with the highest incidence occurring between ages 10 and 30.

The exact cause of vitiligo is not yet fully understood. It is known as an autoimmune disease, but it is believed to result from a combination of factors including genetic predisposition, decreased antioxidant capacity, external stimuli, stress, and ultraviolet rays.

Diagnosis of vitiligo is conducted to differentiate it from other depigmentation or hypopigmentation disorders using Wood’s lamp examination or KOH smear test (direct smear test). Blood tests are also performed to check for associated conditions.

Treatment mainly includes phototherapy and medication. For localized lesions, steroids or calcineurin inhibitors (Protopic, Elidel ointments) are used, and excimer laser therapy is recommended. For more extensive areas, phototherapy administered inside a chamber is used.

In the past, vitiligo was considered incurable, leading many to give up on treatment, but recently developed therapies have shown effectiveness. For cases with poor response to treatment on the hands and feet or rapidly spreading vitiligo, new drug treatments may also be considered.

Daily care is especially important. Since the skin around vitiligo patches can burn and the lesions may become more prominent when exposed to ultraviolet rays, it is advisable to apply sunscreen well and avoid sun exposure.

Avoid scratching or injuring the skin, and harsh scrubbing with towels or procedures like tattoos are not recommended. It is also generally better to avoid alcohol consumption and smoking.