Depigmentation of the Skin

Depigmentation of the skin can be caused by a number of local and systemic conditions. Pigment loss can be partial (for example, after damage to the skin) or full (e.g., vitiligo). Depigmentation may be temporary (e.g., Stripping), or permanent (e.g., albinism).

Disease that causes depigmentation of the skin

• Vitiligo

Possible causes depigmentation of the skin

• Albinism (a genetic lack of skin pigment)
• Skin burns
• Dermatitis (skin inflammation)
• Infection (usually the fungus referred to as Tinea versicolor, Tinea Alba or pityriasis versicolor)
• Steroid (after topical use of corticosteroids)
• Trauma, skin damage

Disorders of skin pigmentation

There are two types of pigmentation disorders of the skin: 1) hyperpigmentation that is caused by excessive deposition of pigment; 2) depigmentation, gipohromiâ as a result of a lack or complete absence of pigment. In addition, there are primary disorders of pigmentation that occur on externally’t changed the skin, and secondary, appearing in place of any approved skin pathological processes.

The degree distribution of pigmentation disorders are divided into limited (spotted), diffuse and generalized.

Hyper-pigmentation and congenital pigment spots. Moles, or birthmarks, represent a congenital abnormality of development of the skin. They have the appearance of small or large spots, not raised, and sometimes slightly or even considerably elevated above the surface of the skin; sometimes they resemble warts, are often covered with hair. Color pigmented birthmarks can vary from light brown to dark brown, brown and black-brown with a variety of shades. Birthmarks are not always detected immediately after birth – they can appear during puberty and even later and there are no changes throughout life. However, they may slowly increase.

Birthmarks are quite common, and people who do not have them, represent an exception.

Pathohistology. In biopsyproven the pieces of skin are increased amount of pigment in the cells of the basal and styloid layer. In the dermis detect “nebesnye” cells filled with granules of pigment. When verrucous nevi there is hypertrophy of the papillae.

Treatment. Small spots are removed by electrocoagulation or surgical excision. Good results frequently get cryotherapy (freezing with carbon dioxide snow).

Depigmentation of skin vitiligo. Vitiligo (PES) is a disorder of skin pigmentation that is never congenital. The disease is characterized by the appearance of depigmented white spots of various sizes and shapes that occur on hyperpigmented background. Vitiligo spots can grow, merge and form large pockets of irregular shapes.

Hair and vellus hair on the depigmented spots or discolored, or retain the pigment.

The etiology is unknown. There is some evidence to suggest that the appearance of vitiligo are playing the role of neuro-endocrine disorders.

The diagnosis is usually straightforward. However you need to remember about the leprosy by which the depigmented areas of reduced sensitivity.

Treatment of vitiligo with little success. In some cases, favorable results are obtained from the drugs from the group of psoralens (meladinin, ammifurin, beroksan, etc.). These medications were administered orally in tablets and externally in the form of lubricating depigmented areas. At the same time produce ultraviolet irradiation lesions suberythermal doses. Such treatment should be prolonged – months.