Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a chronic skin disease that causes loss of melanocytes which are pigment-producing cells, resulting in irregular pale or white patches of skin. The cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to the destruction of melanocytes in this disorder have not yet been detected. Vitiligo affects approximately 0.5 to 1 percent of the population. Individuals of all ethnic origins and both sexes can be affected; however, it is much more noticeable on darker skin. Common areas of the skin losing pigment are the face, lips, hands, arms, legs, and genital areas. Patches of the epidermis affected by vitiligo often occur symmetrically across both sides on the body. Seldom, small areas of the body may repigment as they are recolonised by melanocytes.
There is no known cure for the disease but treatments do exist. Some patients use cosmetic make-up to cover the white spots, while others use treatments such as repigmentation through a series of ultraviolet light treatments and surgical transplant of melanocytes. In severe cases, when over fifty percent of the body surface area is covered with white patches, patients cannot use these repigmentation treatments. They can, however, choose to eliminate the skin colour from the normal areas using monobenzone cream, a process called depigmentation. This gives the patient’s skin a permanent, even, pale white colour. Since the application of monobenzone is topical, it can be done in the privacy of one’s home. It is simple to do and does not require frequent visits to a doctor’s office. Twice daily monobenzone topical cream must be applied.
The major side effect of depigmentation therapy is inflammation (redness and swelling) of the skin. Patients may experience itching or dry skin. The process of depigmentation is gradual. The length of time using monobenzone topical cream ranges from four months to a year. The patient must understand the concept of continued existence of a source of follicular melanocytes and that exposure to the sun can lead to perifollicular pigmented macules. Rigorous limitation of sun exposure is essential following depigmentation therapy, not only to avoid burns, but to avoid perifollicular repigmentation. Wearing high-SPF sunscreens is the ultimate physical barrier to help avoid burns and repigmentation.
There are at least three theories about the principal cause of vitiligo:
- Nerve endings in the skin release a chemical that is toxic to the melanocytes.
- Melanocytes simply self-destruct.
- It is a type of autoimmune disease in which the immune system targets the body's own cells and tissues.
Read more about this topic: Monobenzone