Vitiligo acquired - sometimes called Vitiligo
Vitiligo is the Latin name for vitiligo. It comes from the word vitelius meaning a white patch in a calf or from the word vitium meaning a loss.
Vitiligo acquired affects every 100 people
This disease occurs relatively often, as it affects about 4% of the world's population. The disease affects both children and adults. The most frequent cause is a gradual, progressive breakdown of cells producing pigmented skin - melanocytes. As a result of the breakdown of cells producing a dark brown skin pigment, they are discolored milky white or flesh-colored spots - of various sizes and shapes.
How to recognize acquired vitiligo?
The appearance of light cream-colored or flesh-colored discoloration is characteristic. A characteristic darker border is present on the circumference of the stain. This type of discoloration can occur on the skin of the entire body. They usually have a symmetrical layout, they are less often single or segmented. They most often occur around the elbows, knees, wrists, backs of hands, natural holes (lips, nose, eyelids), nipples, urogenital organs.
A typical discoloration in vitiligo
If we look closely at a single patch, we notice the above-mentioned characteristic darker discoloration on its circumference. The very center of the bleached patch (the so-called "campfire") is usually milky white. Hair within the foci are also devoid of dye. It happens that the centers of discoloration and discoloration on their circumference occupy such a vast area that it is difficult to identify them. In spring and summer, discolored spots become clearer - because they do not tan. Just like in vitiligo, discoloration does not cause any inflammatory or atrophic changes and ailments such as pruritus, burning. The lack of inflammatory erythema, exfoliation of the epidermis clearly distinguishes these skin changes from urticaria, eczema, angioneurotic edema, etc.
The beginning of the disease
In vitiligo acquired skin discoloration may appear in some people suddenly, while in others gradually. Initially milky white spots are round, the size of lentil grains, then they gradually grow. They spread through the centrifugal expansion of foci or by the formation of new changes. In extreme cases, the skin of the whole body may become discolored.
Vitiligo acquired is preceded by the appearance of one or more Sutton marks.
They are dye marks, surrounded by a hem of discolored skin. This discoloration usually spreads circumferentially, and the birthmark flattens or even disappears. Discolored focal point may remain or gradually self-re-dissecting until the skin color is healthy.
Course of illness
Sometimes stains runners remain unchanged for several years. In some cases, there is a spontaneous re-pigmentation of the skin with pigment.
Various forms of vitiligo
It's good to know that discoloration may also affect mucous membranes and eye structures (usually as an invisible discoloration of the iris or retina). Vitiligo acquired may refer to the hair, mucous membranes, the inner ear, the eye, the central nervous system. In a word where dye - melanin is physiologically needed.
CAUSES OF THE BUY BINDING
Disease of skin pigment cells - so-called melanocytes
A melanocyte is a cell that has two or more protrusions. In each of the spines there is a variable amount of melanosomes, i.e. cell granules containing a dark brown pigment - melanin. Melanocyte protrusions transmit this pigment to keratinocytes. Keranocytes are specific cells that form the surface horny protective layer of the skin. These cells are colored with melanin - from the base layer of the epidermis to the stratum corneum, they differentiate to become specially matched horny flakes.
Dye cells disappear
The causes of this disease are not fully recognized. In approximately 30% of cases, vitiligo occurs in the family. In vitiligo acquired atrophy of melanin - dark-brown skin pigment - is caused by selective destruction or disappearance of the function of skin pigment cells - melanocytes. Therefore, treatment of bleaching spots should take into account all available knowledge about the potential causes of destruction of skin pigment cells and methods of stimulating their activities.
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CAUSES OF THE ACQUISITION OF COMBUSTED BIELACT. Cont
What destroys pigment cells and interferes with the production of dark skin pigment?
1. Autoimmune phenomena, related to the immune system defects consisting in the production of antibodies that destroy cells that produce dark pigment - melanin.
2. Disorders of local functions of the nervous system - probably affecting the destruction of melanocytes
3. Hyperactivity of melanocytes - leading to their self-destruction
4. Other causes that inhibit the activity of melanocytes
The causes of autoimmune acquired vitiligo
It is believed that an important role in the development of the disease may play the so-called autoimmune phenomena. These are immune system errors consisting in the production of antibodies that destroy melanocytes - pigment producing cells - melanin. Animal studies seem to confirm the autoimmune hypothesis. In dogs, cats and horses suffering from albinism, antibodies destroying pigment cells have been found. Sometimes the first "white spots" appear "without a cause" after a strong UV burn or mechanical damage to the skin.
Albinism - the effect of the wrong immune response?
The hypothesis of a defective reaction of the immune system (immune) takes into account the individual genetic predisposition and associates vitiligo with other autoimmune diseases.
There is a documented association of the acquired form of vitiligo with the occurrence of antibodies against surface antigens of pigmentary cells - melanocytes. Studies show that about 80% of patients with vitiligo have such antibodies. Also documented on live cells isolated from the body (so-called in vitro) - the existence of a toxic mechanism of destruction of the dye cells by these antibodies (with the participation of the complement system and the so-called immunoreactive agents).
Hyperactive pigment cells - melanocytes - lead to their self-destruction
This is confirmed by the image seen in the electron microscope - from the border of discoloration and healthy skin in patients with rapidly progressing vitiligo. The picture shows an unusual accumulation of so-called pigmented intercellular granules and pathological "mixing" (so-called vacuolization) of the basal layer of skin with dark skin pigment.
Self-destruction under the influence of free radicals ...
Another pathomechanism that can lead to the self-destruction of pigment cells is the outbreak of free oxygen radicals. The attack of free radicals on melanocytes makes it possible to block the activity of an important antioxidant of the membrane-acting pigment cells - the so-called Thioredoxin reductases. This physiological antioxidant is blocked by the excess of calcium in the membrane of epidermal cells (so-called keratinocytes). The result is the vacuolization mentioned above, followed by dye cell death. But this is not the only antioxidant blocked in the skin. In patients with vitiligo, it has been shown that the concentration of another important physiological antioxidant (enzyme catalysis) decreases within healthy and diseased skin. The deficiency of this antioxidant may also lead to the death of melanocytes - cells that produce dark skin pigment.
Nervous system disorders and skin discoloration
The disappearance of skin pigment may result from nervous system disorders. This is indicated by the discoloration system, which often has a form identical with the area of skin controlled by a given nerve. This is confirmed by the pathophysiological changes in peripheral nerves in some patients.It is also worth noting that in some people the first symptoms of vitiligo appear after strong mental shocks or nervous breakdowns.
Health complications due to vitiligo
Acquired vitiligo may be accompanied by diseases with a potential autoimmune base (diabetes, anemia, some thyroid diseases). Changes in the appearance of the patients, depending on the extent of discoloration and primary skin complexion, usually have a very large, negative impact on the psyche of these people.
ed. Edward Ozga Michalski, MA
dermatological consultation drug. med Dorota Bystrzanowska
I invite residents of Warsaw and the surrounding area
to use the services of my Dermatology office
Doctor dermatologist - Private Medical Cabinet Ul. Klaudyny 18 Warsaw / Żoliborz
Contact for appointment (22) 676-69-86 0-603-753-493 [email protected]
Literature
1 / Advances in the treatment of acne vulgaris - Dr med. Maria Barancewicz-Łosek, lek. med. Wojciech Baran Chair and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology of Medical University in Wroclaw; Head: prof. dr hab. med. Eugeniusz Baran WYd. THERAPY- DERMATOLOGY - MARCH 2005
2 / Błaszczyk-Kostanecka M., Chodynicka B., Gliński W. et al .: Acne vulgaris: pathogenesis and principles of treatment. Overview. Dermatol. 1998, 85 (1), 3-19.
3 / Practical Dermatology; dermatologists: Małgorzata Opalińska, Katarzyna Prystupa, Wadim Stąpór, Wyd. Lek. PZWL 1997.
