Melanocyte stress is an initiating event in vitiligo, and this is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The first environmental risk factor for vitiligo was described in 1939, when a group of factory workers exposed to monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (monobenzone) in their gloves developed depigmentation at the site of contact and also in remote areas. Monobenzone (Benoquin) is now used clinically to depigment patients with severe vitiligo.
Author: John E. Harris, MD, PhD, Chemicals that induce Vitiligo. S006 – Vitiligo. AAD 2016 – Washington DC, United States USA
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