Leukaemia is a skin colour disorder caused by the destruction of melanocytes (cells that produce melanin). The result of this is the appearance of white spots on various parts of the body.
Lefki does not discriminate. It occurs at about the same frequency, in people of all skin colors and races. 50% of them develop the disease before the age of 20.

Its evolution is unpredictable. Some spots become stable, while others disappear. There is no precise way of predicting the progression of vitiligo.

This particular dermatological disorder is divided into three categories:

- Focal form (spots in one or a few areas)
- Segmental form (spots only on one half of the body)
- Generalized form (the most common form, with symmetrical spots on both halves of the body)

REASONS
The cause of Lefki is unknown. Various theories have been put forward, and there is strong evidence that patients with vitiligo inherit 3 genes that make them susceptible to skin discoloration. The most widespread theory of the cause of vitiligo is that of the view that vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, i.e. the body itself considers its melanocytes to be foreign, turns against them and destroys them through cytokines. Thus vitiligo occurs more frequently in people with other autoimmune diseases, such as pollen alopecia, some thyroid diseases, and others, but the reason for this coexistence is not known. Another theory suggests that melanocytes self-destruct.

WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW
- Leukaemia is not contagious and does not threaten the life of the sufferer.
- Patients with Leukaemia should protect their skin from the sun, as a possible burn can aggravate the condition.
- It is recommended to use sunscreens with a high protection index and the lesions can be covered with special pigments.
- The solarium and the corresponding solar lamps should be avoided.
- Leukemia is not painful and has no significant health consequences, however, it can have emotional and psychological consequences.
- Patients with Leukaemia should not get tattoos because they may later develop Leukaemia at that particular spot.

THERAPY
Treatment approaches are usually long-term and the choice of the type of treatment depends on the number of lesions, their size and their location. Treatments can be local, systemic and in some cases, surgical.

Source : www.edae.gr