Albinism. This disease is manifested by the lack of pigment in the skin, hair and iris of the eyes – people suffering from it are characterized by a very pale skin and fair hair, even white. Albinism can also be accompanied by handicaps. Can albinism be treated? What is partial albinism about, what is different from the acquired one?
Albinism – Causes and Kinds
Albinism is a genetic disease. It consists in the fact that the patient’s body does not produce a dye – melanin, which is responsible for the coloring of the skin, hair and irises. Albinism is the result of the inheritance of recessive genes responsible for this defect from both parents.
Albinism is divided into innate and acquired. The first variation is revealed with the birth of a child – from the very beginning it has very light skin. Over time, the leukemic stains grow and connect to eventually take over the entire body. This type of disease is congenital generalized albinism (albinism proper). The disease may also have a partial form (local albinism). Its symptom is usually discoloration on the skin along the nerves and hair. Most often the discoloration is visible on the forehead, it can also include hair and eyebrows. Sometimes it also manifests itself with a multicolored iris.
Relatively more often vitiligo occurs in acquired form. It is most often found between 10 and 20 years old. It involves the gradual extinction of melanocytes – cells responsible for skin pigmentation. There may be, for example, autoimmune disorders or problems with the nervous system.
Can albinism be treated?
Vitaminectomy is an incurable defect of pigmentation. It can not be cured. In the case of acquired albinism, appropriate pharmacotherapy is used, as well as the method of exposing specialist PUVA lamps. They are used for photochemotherapy, i.e. light treatment. These treatments may bring some improvement, however, in this case it is not possible to completely get rid of the disease. It should be remembered that for those affected by vitiligo, solar radiation is particularly dangerous.
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