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Vitiligo

Sonia Rivera-Martinez, FACOFP, DO Reviewed 06/2021
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • An acquired depigmentation of the skin, which correlates with a loss of epidermal melanocytes. There are three clinical variants, each with subtypes.

  • Localized: often in childhood, ra...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Inquire about recent history of sunburns, pregnancy, skin trauma, or emotional stress.

  • Family history of premature graying, vitiligo, and autoimmune disorders

  • Review of systems for rela...

TREATMENT

The variant of vitiligo may affect response. 
  • If untreated, progression is the natural course for those with mucosal involvement, family history, koebnerization, and nonsegmental variants.

  • Les...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Monitor for symptoms of related conditions.

  • With topical steroids, follow at regular intervals to avoid steroid atrophy, telangiectasia, and striae distensae.

DIET

N...

REFERENCES

1
Ezzedine  K, Eleftheriadou  V, Whitton  M, et al. Vitiligo. Lancet.  2015;386(9988):74–84. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]
2
...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Alikhan  A, Felsten  LM, Daly  M, et al. Vitiligo: a comprehensive overview part I. Introduction, epidemiology, quality of life, diagnosis, differential d...

CODES

ICD10

  • L80 Vitiligo

  • H02.739 Vitiligo of unspecified eye, unspecified eyelid and periocular area

  • H02.735 Vitiligo of left lower eyelid and periocular area

  • H02.732 Vitiligo of right lower eyelid and pe...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Vitiligo can be a psychologically devastating skin disease.

  • Screen for associated diseases, particularly if onset occurs later in life.

  • Treatment should be individualized based on BSA, s...

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