The diagnosis of vitiligo

Vitiligo is a very stubborn skin disease. Many people are particularly afraid of it because it is not only difficult to treat, but also spreads very quickly. Although this skin disease is not contagious, it has serious consequences on the beauty of our skin. People usually go to the dermatology department to treat vitiligo. So how is vitiligo diagnosed?

Vitiligo is generally diagnosed based on the clinical manifestations of skin lesions. Typical lesions include clearly defined white spots, which in the early stages are the size of a fingernail and are approximately round, oval, or irregular in shape. Usually there is no desquamation or atrophy on the surface of the white spots, and in some patients the hair on the surface of the white spots will turn white. In addition, through skin CT-assisted examination, it can be seen that the basal layer pigmentation of the affected area is reduced compared to the normal area. At present, the cause of vitiligo is still unclear. Most people believe that it is related to genetic factors, melanocyte self-destruction, autoimmune factors, etc.

In general, the symptoms of vitiligo are: the skin color of the damaged area fades and turns white, with gray, milky white or ceramic color, etc. The patient has no discomfort. The lesions are pure white round or irregular spots with a smooth surface, clear boundaries, increased pigmentation at the edges, and the hair in the affected area can turn white normally. Go to the hospital for a checkup

Observe carefully to see if the surface of the white spot is smooth and free of dandruff. If the white spot is pale white or milky white, and if the border is blurred or spreads towards the normal skin, it may be vitiligo. In specific cases, it is necessary to see the white spot before diagnosis. Vitiligo is a difficult disease to treat. Its biggest feature is that it spreads easily, especially affecting appearance and life.

1) Pathological examination when necessary - this means that if the doctor is able to make a diagnosis of vitiligo, it is not necessary to do a skin biopsy. Pathology is an auxiliary diagnostic method and is not necessary. Dermatologists do not perform pathological examinations for all diseases.

2) The diagnosis of vitiligo requires comprehensive consideration of many factors such as doctor's experience, laboratory tests, and instrument examinations. The latter two are not mandatory.

3) For most white spots, since one common point in the changes they undergo is the loss of pigment cells or granules, many of the treatment methods are the same as those for vitiligo.

4) Hypopigmentary skin diseases include congenital and acquired types. The so-called congenital hypopigmented spots may exist at birth, but may also appear in infancy or adolescence. Their size and distribution are relatively constant. Common ones include non-pigmented nevi and halo nevi.