Essentials of Diseases of the Skin Part 44

Is there any structural change in the skin?

No. The functions of the skin are performed in a perfectly natural manner, and microscopical examination shows no departure from normal structure save the complete absence of pigment.

What is known in regard to the etiology?

Nothing is known of the causes producing albinismus beyond the single fact that it is frequently hereditary.

Does albinismus admit of treatment?

No; the condition is without remedy.

Vitiligo.

(_Synonyms:_ Leucoderma; Leucopathia.)

Give a definition of vitiligo.

Vitiligo may be defined as a disease involving the pigment of the skin alone, characterized by several or more progressive, milky-white patches surrounded by increased pigmentation.

Describe the symptoms of vitiligo.

The disease may begin at one or more regions, the backs of the hands, trunk and face being favorite parts; its appearance is usually insidious, and the spots may not be especially noticeable until they are the size of a pea or larger. The patches grow slowly, are milky or dead white, smooth, non-elevated, and of rounded outline; the bordering skin is darker than normal, showing increased pigmentation. Several contiguous spots may coalesce and form a large, irregularly-shaped patch. Hair growing on the involved skin may or may not be blanched.

There are no subjective symptoms.

What course does vitiligo pursue?

The course of the disease is slow, months and sometimes years elapsing before it reaches conspicuous development. It may after a time remain stationary, or, in rare instances, retrogress; as a rule, however, it is progressive. Exceptionally, the greater part, or even the whole surface may eventually be involved.

Give the etiology of vitiligo.

Disturbed innervation is thought to be influential. The disease develops often without apparent cause. Alopecia areata and morph[oe]a have been observed a.s.sociated with it.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 36. Vitiligo.]

State the pathology of vitiligo.

The disease consists, anatomically, of both a diminution and increase of the pigment--the white patch resulting from the former, and the pigmented borders from the latter. There is no textural change, the skin in other respects being normal.

From what diseases is vitiligo to be differentiated?

From morph[oe]a and from the anaesthetic patches of leprosy.

In what respects do these diseases differ from vitiligo?

In morph[oe]a there is textural change, and in leprosy both textural change and const.i.tutional or other symptoms.

What prognosis is to be given?

It should always be guarded, the disease in almost all cases being irresponsive to treatment.

What is the treatment of vitiligo?

The general health is to be looked after, and remedies directed especially toward the nervous system to be employed. a.r.s.enic, in small and continued doses, seems at times to have an influence; when there is lack of general tone it may be prescribed as follows:--

[Rx] Liq. pota.s.sii a.r.s.enitis, ............. f[dram]j Tinct. nucis vom., ................... f[dram]iij Elix. calisayae, ....... q. s. ad ..... f[Oz]iv. M.

SIG.--f[dram]j t. d.

Suprarenal-gland preparations in moderate dosage long continued has appeared in a few instances to be of some benefit.

When upon exposed parts, stimulation of the patches, with the view of producing hyperaemia and consequent pigment deposit; conjoined with suitable applications to the surrounding pigmented skin, with a view to lessen the coloration (see _treatment of chloasma_), will be of aid in rendering the disease less conspicuous. Or the condition may be, in a measure, masked by staining the patches with walnut juice or similar pigment.

Canities.

(_Synonym:_ Grayness of the Hair.)

Describe canities.

Canities, or graying of the hair, may occur in localized areas or it may be more or less general; the blanching may be slight, scarcely amounting to slight grayness, or it may be complete. It is common to advancing years (_canities senilis_); it is seen also exceptionally in early life (_canities praematura_). The condition is usually permanent. The loss of pigment takes place, as a rule, slowly, but several apparently authentic cases have been reported in which the change occurred in the course of a night or in a few days.

What is the etiology of canities?

The causes are obscure. Heredity is usually an influential factor, and conditions which impair the general nutrition have at times an etiological bearing. Intense anxiety, fright, and other profound nervous shock are looked upon as causative in sudden graying of the hair.

Give the treatment.

Canities is without remedy. Dyeing, although not to be advised, is often practised, and the condition thus masked.