Introduction: Vitiligo is a common chronic depigmentation disease. Patients are generally advised to protect themselves from the sun. Methods: One hundred fifty-three patients diagnosed with vitiligo and 106 healthy volunteers with no additional dermatological disease were included in the study. We evaluated the sun-protection habits of patients with vitiligo and controls, and also assessed their knowledge and attitudes toward sun exposure. Results: Rates of sunscreen use, high-factor sunscreen use, and remaining in the shade were significantly higher among patients (p = 0.004, p = 0.028, p = 0.040). We found significantly higher rates of modifying vacation habits, high sun-protection factors (SPF) sunscreen use, and preferring to remain in the shade among patients using phototherapy (p = 0.016, p = 0.019, p = 0.028). We showed higher rates of modification of vacation habits, wearing sunglasses, and remaining in the shade among patients with longer disease durations (p = 0.026, p = 0.001, and p = 0.017). Conclusions: We determined higher rates of sunscreen use, high-SPF sunscreen use, and tendencies to remain in the shade in vitiligo patients compared to the general population. We also determined that disease duration and treatment with phototherapy alter sun-protection habits, but the presence of generalized disease and lesions in visible areas such as the face does not alter patients’ habits.
CITATION STYLE
Selçuk, L. B., Katkat, E., Arıca, D. A., Yaylı, S., & Bahadır, S. (2020). Sun-protection habits and knowledge of patients with vitiligo. Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina, Pannonica et Adriatica, 29(1), 7–10. https://doi.org/10.15570/actaapa.2020.3
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