Leukoderma

Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

- Dr. Bhanu prakash

Leukoderma, also spelled as Leucoderma, is a disease that causes loss of pigmentation on the skin. The condition causes white patches to appear on the skin and is more distinguishable in people with dark skin.

Also termed vitiligo, the condition is termed severe when the spots cover the entire body, including the scalp, eyes, and genitals. It is a long-term skin ailment that at times is incurable. With the help of proper medical diagnosis and a combination of various treatments, patients can manage the disease. All patients do not respond in the same way to the treatments due to different underlying causes; hence the results of the treatment will differ from one to another.

Types of Vitiligo

1. Non-segmental Vitiligo

Non-segmental Vitiligo (NSV) is the most commonly occurring disease. It is characterized by patches appearing in both halves of the body and often symmetrical in the region in which they appear. According to research, 90% of the people affected with Leukoderma fall under this category. The NSV is further grouped into the following categories

Generalized or Universal Leukoderma is the condition where the white patches can occur anywhere on the body.

Focal vitiligo occurs mostly in children and is restrained in one area of the body.

Acrofacial vitiligo is the condition that causes depigmentation around fingers, vitiligo on lips, and the periorificial regions [meaning inside of the mouth, chin, eyelids, nostrils, and upper lips].

Mucosal Leucoderma occurs only in the mucous membranes.

2. Segmental Vitiligo