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Causes of vitiligo. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment

Vitiligo is the discoloration of certain areas of the skin due to the loss of pigment in them. The disease is not a threat to health and life, it is only an aesthetic defect. But the main problem is that radical means of treating vitiligo have not yet been invented, and the existing ones can only prevent the emergence of new foci, reduce the size of old white spots and at least partially "color" them. Patients are forced to come to terms with the idea that such a mosaic color of their skin is for life.

Vitiligo manifests itself on any part of the skin, any size and shape of spots. In ancient times, such discoloration was regarded as a sign of God (the sick were considered chosen) or as a manifestation of Santanya. For a long time, the causes of vitiligo were unknown.

Among the world-famous contemporaries who suffered from vitiligo, Michael Jackson was a pop star, the idol of millions. But even his incredible wealth turned out to be powerless in the fight against the disease. However, being dark-skinned from birth, the singer only advised to change the color of his skin - it brought him even more popularity.

Inadvertently, this fact played into the hands of psychologists who, comforting patients with mosaic skin color, remember Jackson and his success in life despite vitiligo. But not only the persuasion of psychologists will help patients - a number of medicines reduce the size and intensity of discoloration. Therefore, even if radical remedies are not found, the symptoms of vitiligo before and after treatment can be significantly different for the better.

Disruption of skin pigmentation in vitiligo, factors

Patients who have suddenly experienced skin discoloration may only think that it happened on the same spot. In fact, this process could be preceded by factors provoking it for a long time. For example:

reception of neurotropic substances, due to which the neuroregulation of the production of the melanin pigment was affected;
violation of trophic (nutrition) of cells that produce melatonin and "strike" in the form of "rest" against forced "starvation";
inflammatory processes on the skin - especially often repeated (for example, due to constant infection of wounds, even if they are superficial);
disruption of local immune processes of the skin in the form of autoimmune reactions.

Today, the role of heredity in the occurrence of vitiligo is also being studied.

But the violation of skin pigmentation begins immediately after the action of specific factors. First of all, it is:

stress provocation;
intoxication;
chronic diseases;
synthetic clothing.

Vitiligo diagnosis

Identification of skin pigmentation disorders does not require special diagnostic equipment - the diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical manifestations. A doctor's eye (even a less experienced one) will immediately distinguish characteristic milky-white spots in the patient, which stand out sharply against the background of the rest of the skin, which is normally colored.

The initial stage of vitiligo is characterized by the appearance of separate milky-white spots. after some time they increase and merge into a single entity. However, even such cells, which are formed as a result of fusion, are not generalized - there will definitely be a skin area with normal pigmentation in the neighborhood.

It is noteworthy that mostly vitiligo spots are formed on those areas of the skin that are most often injured, namely:

brushes (back surface);
elbows (outer surface);
knees.

At the same time, mechanical injury is not included in the list of causes of vitiligo.

It is worth paying attention to the discoloration of the skin on the external genitalia. This is the so-called genital vitiligo. Special attention should be paid to it - the possibility of neoplasms with disappointing oncological prognoses is not excluded.

Treatment. How to treat vitiligo in children

Vitiligo treatment is complex. Emphasis is placed on the following drugs:

antioxidants - block free radicals that have a harmful effect on tissues, cells, biological substances - in this case, on melanin and the cells that produce it;
immunomodulators - drugs that correct the work of the immune system and inhibit the body's autoimmune processes (directed against itself);
ultraviolet radiation, which is known to "color" the skin;
laser action that stimulates exchange and regenerative (restorative) processes in skin cells;
PUVA therapy, which is based on the use of photoactive substances.

Among the revolutionary means of treating vitiligo, which are just developing, is surgical. Healthy melanocytes, which produce melanin, are "transplanted" onto the diseased skin.

Thanks to the complex of treatment measures, the signs of vitiligo before and after treatment are significantly different:

white spots decrease in size;
their "tonality" changes towards darkening.

Patients are primarily interested in how to cure vitiligo spots on the face. Unfortunately, drugs that would be tropic (that is, have a targeted effect) for discoloration of the skin on the face have not yet been invented. Drugs that help cells produce a portion of melanin act equally on all parts of the human body.

It is most difficult to effectively answer the question of how to treat vitiligo in childhood. The drugs are prescribed the same as for adults. However, the main difficulties are that many drugs cannot be prescribed to children in the "adult" dosage, and a smaller dose simply will not cause the expected effect.

Vitiligo before and after treatment - are expectations justified?

With competently performed complex treatment, vitiligo may not disappear completely, but visually it is no longer so noticeable. There is no pronounced contrast between healthy and affected skin, discolored areas are reduced.

As patients seek to return the normal aesthetic appearance of the skin, primarily on the face - in the absence of expected treatment results, ordinary decorative cosmetics can come to the rescue. A competent stylist will tell you how to get rid of the signs of vitiligo, at least visually - but it is advisable to consult a doctor, because some cosmetics, on the contrary, can provoke an increase in discoloration. Therefore, it should not contain: