What are the potential harms of smoking on vitiligo病情?
Disease description:
I have vitiligo, but recently my friend told me that smoking is bad for vitiligo. Could you please tell me what harm can smoking cause to vitiligo?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
The harm of smoking to vitiligo is multifaceted:
1. Worsening of the condition: Harmful substances in tobacco can interfere with the function of melanocytes, reducing their ability to produce pigment. This leads to further depigmentation of the skin, making the white patches more noticeable and exacerbating the disease.
2. Impact on the immune system: Smoking disrupts the balance of the immune system, reducing the body's resistance to pathogens. As vitiligo is an immune-related disease, its progression may be worsened as a result.
3. Increased difficulty in treatment: Smoking can affect the absorption and metabolism of medications, thereby reducing treatment efficacy and making the management of vitiligo more complex and prolonged.
4. Promotion of skin cancer: Carcinogens in tobacco can damage the DNA of skin cells, promoting malignant transformation and increasing the risk of skin cancer in patients with vitiligo.
