Environmental factors the kobner's phenomenon occupational vitiligo

Abstract

Core Messages: Fitzpatrick and ourselves described the frequency of vitiligo lesions vulgaris at sites subjected to repeated trauma such as continuous pressure or repeated frictions of various origins. In non-segmental vitiligo, the incidence of Kobner's Phenomenon (KP) is very varied according to reports, that is, from 15 to 70%. Wounds, scars, burns, abrasion, laser, and other types of surgical abrasion are the more frequent inducing factors of the KP. Many mechanisms have been hypothesised: increased release of neuropeptides noxious for melanocytes, detachment and transepidermal elimination, and lower secretion of keratino-cyte-derived factors. In normal vitiligo skin, a minor trauma (tape stripping) is possible after 72 h to induce the formation of autophagic vacuoles containing polymelanosomes and the detachment of few melanocytes from the basement membrane. In the presence of a history of vitiligo in the family, the onset of permanent depigmentation following repeated scratches in children without vitiligo could indicate a 'vitiligo diathesis.' © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.