Vitiligo following COVID-19: A case report and review of pathophysiology
Alexandra Schmidt, Alexandra Rubin, David Milgraum, Cindy Wassef
Abstract
Vitiligo is a depigmentation disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population of the United States and Europe, with a peak age of onset earlier in females compared to males.1 It presents in females typically in the first decade of life, while males tend to present in the fifth decade of life.1 It is characterized by a patchy distribution of depigmented macules and is subclassified by location and distribution of affected skin.1 Vitiligo is hypothesized to be autoimmune in nature, provoked by an environmental or biologic trigger that results in destruction of melanocytes.
Topics & Concepts
VitiligoDepigmentationMedicineDermatologyCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PathophysiologyPopulationImmunologyPathologyDiseaseEnvironmental healthInfectious disease (medical specialty)melanin and skin pigmentationAcne and Rosacea Treatments and EffectsMast cells and histamine