Theories for Vitiligo pathogenesis

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Vitiligo is an acquired skin disorder caused by the disappearance of pigment cells from the epidermis that gives rise to well define white patches which are often symmetrically distributed. The lack of melanin pigment makes the lesional skin more sensitive to sunburn. Vitiligo can be cosmetically disfiguring and it is a stigmatizing condition, leading to serious psychologic problems in daily life. It occurs worldwide in about 0.5% of the population and it occurs as frequently in males as it does in females. The cause is involved genetic factors, autoimmunity, neurologic factors, toxic metabolites, and lack of melanocyte growth factors. Current modalities are directed towards stopping progression and to achieving depigmentation in order to repair the morphology and functional deficiencies of the depigmented skin areas.