Vitiligo, although the exact cause is unknown, is a type of skin disease in which light-colored areas form due to pigment loss on the skin. This disease, which can be called Ala or Alaca disease among the public, can be seen at any age, but it mostly starts to show symptoms before the age of 20. Vitiligo, a common disease, is observed in approximately 1 or 2 out of every 100 people. It is not a contagious disease. Vitiligo, which only affects the appearance of the skin, does not cause any physiological problems in patients. The size of the disease and the spots on the skin surface vary from patient to patient. In the treatment, methods that help the skin regain its former color are used.

In the human body, cells called melanocytes are responsible for the production of pigments that give the skin its unique color. Damage to these cells for any reason negatively affects pigment production and causes vitiligo. Due to pigment deficiency, some white spots of various sizes appear on the skin surface. Depending on the type of disease, the areas where the spots appear and the tendency to spread may vary from person to person. In some types of vitiligo, only a certain part of the body is affected, while in some patients, the spots may spread throughout the body. In vitiligo, which causes an undesirable appearance on the skin and negatively affects patients psychologically, it is important to start the treatment process as soon as the spots are noticed.

What are the symptoms of vitiligo disease?

Vitiligo is a type of disease that can occur at any age from childhood to adulthood. Symptoms of the disease usually occur in areas exposed to sunlight. The possibility of white spots, which are symptoms of the disease, is higher in areas that are more exposed to the sun, such as the hands, arms, face, neck, and legs. Some people may also experience spotting in the genital area. In addition, depending on the structure of the skin, the disease is more easily noticed in women than in men. Since the spots can be distinguished more clearly, it is also easier to notice the disease in dark-skinned people. The first and most common symptom of vitiligo is the sudden whitening of a certain spot on the skin. In some cases, a small white spot can grow over time and reach sizes that cover a significant part of the skin. Vitiligo is not an internal organ disease, but a condition that occurs only due to the color-giving cells in the skin. Therefore, it does not show any symptoms other than the white spots on the skin.

What are the causes of vitiligo disease?

Although the exact cause of vitiligo is not known, there are certain factors that are known to increase the risk of developing the disease. It is known that more than one of these factors occur together in most patients and cause the disease. The autoimmune mechanism is one of the most important factors responsible for the development of the disease. This mechanism can be defined as the body's immune system seeing its own cells as a threat and developing a defense against them and destroying its own cells. The autoimmune response developed against melanocytes can cause damage to the cells and negatively affect pigment production, which can lead to the formation of vitiligo. Apart from this, other factors thought to play a role in the formation of vitiligo can be listed as follows;

• Anemia
• Diabetes disease
• Psoriasis
• Autoimmune thyroid diseases (guatr)
• Stress
• Febrile diseases
• Sunburns
• Severe traumas

Another important factor known to be effective in vitiligo disease is genetic factors. When we look at all vitiligo patients, it is seen that approximately 30% of the patients have a family member with this disease. In addition, it has been determined as a result of research that the probability of the disease is higher in black-skinned individuals living in regions such as Morocco and Yemen compared to other individuals. Early diagnosis and early treatment are very important in order to increase the success rate in the treatment process of the disease and to minimize the formation of spots.

How is vitiligo diagnosed?

The diagnosis of vitiligo can be made by detecting white spots during a physical examination by a dermatologist. An examination with a light called a Wood's light is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. The visibility of the spots increases during the examination with the Wood's light, and skin differences and small white spots that are not visible under normal light can also be easily detected with this light. It is usually possible to diagnose vitiligo with clinical examination and examination under the Wood's light. However, in some cases where the doctor deems it necessary, different diagnostic tests such as skin biopsy and pathological examination are also used. It is also possible to use some blood tests to investigate whether the disease is of autoimmune origin. Individuals diagnosed with vitiligo as a result of the examinations and diagnostic tests to be performed should be careful in line with the recommendations given by their doctors in the following periods of their lives and should take care to fully fulfill the treatment requirements.

How is vitiligo disease treated?

The main purpose of all medical procedures and treatments for the treatment of vitiligo is to restore the skin color. If possible, research should be conducted on the cause of the disease and these factors should be eliminated or alleviated. If the disease occurs due to an autoimmune mechanism, immunosuppressive agents can be used. Regardless of the cause of the disease, if deemed appropriate by the physician, light therapy aimed at stimulating the melanocytes responsible for giving the skin its natural color can be applied. Light therapy, also known as phototherapy and excimer laser therapy, is a practice aimed at preventing the formation of spots and eliminating existing spots by supporting the production of the pigment called melanin, which gives color to the skin, from melanocytes. Antioxidant supplements can also be applied to vitiligo patients to reduce oxidative stress.

It is possible to benefit from some creams in the treatment of the disease. Creams containing tacromilus and pimecrolimus or cortisone can be used to remove spots that appear due to the disease and to prevent the formation of new spots. However, since all these creams can cause structural disorders and differentiations in the skin due to long-term use, they should definitely be used under the supervision of a physician. Another treatment method that can be preferred in patients where the white spots spread all over the body and the size of the spots is very large is depigmentation. With this treatment, the pigments on the entire skin surface are eliminated and the entire body is equalized in white. The pigment loss that occurs in this treatment, which is performed with a chemical called monobenzylether, is permanent and the treatment lasts approximately one year. Since vitiligo accelerates the formation of spots due to sun exposure and white spots can easily burn in the sun, patients should definitely use sunscreen with a high protection factor. These creams should be selected from among the brands recommended by the physician and should be used continuously not only in situations such as sunbathing or swimming, but also at all times when outdoors during the day.

Vitiligo disease can often cause psychological problems such as unhappiness, low self-esteem, depression and stress in patients due to the unwanted changes in their appearance. For this reason, vitiligo patients should also be evaluated psychologically, and if such a problem is detected, psychological support should be provided in addition to the treatment for the disease. If you have vitiligo, you can get treatment by consulting a dermatologist, and you can largely eliminate the effects of your disease by paying attention to the recommendations and treatment principles given by your doctor.