Sun-protection habits and knowledge of patients with vitiligo

Introduction: Vitiligo is a common chronic depigmentation disease. Patients are generally advised to protect themselves from the sun. Methods: One hundred fifty-three patients diagnosed with vitiligo and 106 healthy volunteers with no additional dermatological disease were included in the study. We evaluated the sun-protection habits of patients with vitiligo and controls, and also assessed their knowledge and attitudes toward sun exposure. Results: Rates of sunscreen use, high-factor sunscreen use, and remaining in the shade were significantly higher among patients (p = 0.004, p = 0.028, p = 0.040). We found significantly higher rates of modifying vacation habits, high sun-protection factors (SPF) sunscreen use, and preferring to remain in the shade among patients using phototherapy (p = 0.016, p = 0.019, p = 0.028). We showed higher rates of modification of vacation habits, wearing sunglasses, and remaining in the shade among patients with longer disease durations (p = 0.026, p = 0.001, and p = 0.017). Conclusions: We determined higher rates of sunscreen use, high-SPF sunscreen use, and tendencies to remain in the shade in vitiligo patients compared to the general population. We also determined that disease duration and treatment with phototherapy alter sun-protection habits, but the presence of generalized disease and lesions in visible areas such as the face does not alter patients' habits.