Leukoderma

vitiligo

 or leukoderma

Skin disorder manifested by smooth, white spots on various parts of the body. Though the pigment-making cells of the skin, or melanocytes, are structurally intact, they have lost the ability to synthesize the pigment. The reason for the condition is unclear. Individuals with vitiligo (about 1% of the adult population) are usually in good general health, but vitiligo presents a cosmetic problem that can be serious in dark-skinned individuals. Normal skin color rarely returns, and there is no known cure.

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leukoderma [‚lü·kə′dər·mə]

(medicine)

Defective skin pigmentation, especially the congenital absence of pigment in patches or bands.

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Leukoderma 

a disorder of the pigmentation of the skin manifested by a decrease in or complete loss of pigment.

Leukoderma can develop from previous skin lesions (seborrheic eczema, psoriasis, parapsoriasis, lichen ruber, pityriasis versicolor) or from certain medications (Chrysorabin, Psoriasin, pyrogallol), or as a symptom of a systemic disease (for example, secondary syphilis). It is characterized by the appearance on the skin of round depigmented spots of various size surrounded by hyperpigmentation. Syphilitic leukoderma develops three to six months after infection with syphilis and concentrates mainly on the posterolateral surface of the neck (less commonly, on the back, abdomen, and lateral surface of the chest). Leukoderma patients have no subjective sensations associated with the disease. Treatment is directed at the primary condition.

REFERENCES

Mnogotomnoe rukovodstvo po dermato-venerologii, vols. 1–3. Moscow, 1959–64.
Mashkilleison, L. N. Chastnaia dermatologiia. Moscow, 1965.

I. IA. SHAKHTMEISTER