Abstract
Different factors, including the genetic ones, predispose an individual to developing vitiligo, but a trigger event initiates the actual depigmentation. The triggers are environmental factors that are encountered in everyday life. When the development of vitiligo is influenced by occupational exposures like chemical exposure, frequent physical trauma, or sun exposure, it is called occupational or contact vitiligo. Phenolic/catecholic derivatives are major chemicals known to be associated with vitiligo since they interfere in the melanin synthesis and induce oxidative stress. Other chemicals mentioned as causative agents are nickel, chrome, cobalt, leather, hair dye, cosmetics, and cleaning products, all allergens that also cause allergic contact dermatitis by contact hypersensitivity (CHS). Identification of provoking factors and therefore risk factors for vitiligo are important in preventing disease progression, although they are often not recognised due to unawareness of patients. Therefore, patients should be educated how to avoid these known risk factors.
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Vrijman, C. (2019). Environmental Triggers and Occupational/Contact Vitiligo. In: Picardo, M., Taïeb, A. (eds) Vitiligo. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62960-5_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62960-5_12
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