Vitilgo is a cutaneous disorder of pigmentation, with partial or complete loss of melanocytes in particular cutanous regions, with the onset of white areas, initially in periorificial zone (mouth, eyes, genital areas) and on the limbs, in more severe forms the white areas can involve other cutaneous districts.
The etiology is unknown, but there is a genetic predisposition (10-30 % of cases are familiar), and often there is an association with autoimmune diseases (thyroiditis, alopecia areata, etc). Emotional stress can trigger this dermatosis.
A new etiopathogenetic theory focuses the causative effect of free radicals, which are toxic for the cellular membranes (lipidic peroxidation) and with subsequent cellular damage. Normally the epidermis has an antioxidant system, but sometimes is not sufficient against these free radicals, specially derived from oxygen. The therapy of this dermatosis is based on steroid and phototherapy, but an anti-oxydant therapy is also advised, together with vitamins and oligo elements.