Mechanical Trauma Triggers the Koebner Response
Friction or a scratch can mark the exact line where new lesions later appear.
- Friction: Trigger type (placeholder note)
- 1–3 wks: Onset window (placeholder note)
- High-friction: Skin sites (placeholder note)
- ~20–60%: Reported cases (placeholder note)
What starts the Koebner phenomenon
Short placeholder note on mechanical trauma as trigger.
Placeholder: friction sites are the classic Koebner trigger.
Local Inflammatory and Stress Signaling
Injury sets off short-term inflammatory and oxidative stress signals in skin.
- Acute: Response type (placeholder note)
- Cytokines: Key mediators (placeholder note)
- Days: Duration (placeholder note)
- Redness: Visible sign (placeholder note)
How inflammation follows injury
Short placeholder note on cytokine and stress response.
Melanocytes Become Vulnerable at the Trauma Site
Stress signals leave local melanocytes fragile and prone to loss.
- Melanocyte: Cell type (placeholder note)
- Oxidative: Stress marker (placeholder note)
- Localized: Vulnerability (placeholder note)
- Autoimmune: Immune role (placeholder note)
Why melanocytes are targeted
Short placeholder note on melanocyte fragility and immune attack.
New Depigmented Patch Emergence Along the Trauma Line
Weeks later, a pale patch appears tracing the original injury line.
- 2–12 wks: Latency (placeholder note)
- Linear: Shape (placeholder note)
- Progressive: Pigment loss (placeholder note)
- Variable: Reversibility (placeholder note)
How the new patch forms
Short placeholder note on progressive depigmentation.
Placeholder: patch shape often mirrors the trauma line exactly.
Trauma Avoidance Counseling for Vitiligo Patients
Reducing friction and skin injury helps limit new Koebner lesions.
- Avoidance: Strategy (placeholder note)
- Loose fit: Clothing (placeholder note)
- Gentle: Skin care (placeholder note)
- Regular: Monitoring (placeholder note)
Practical counseling points
Short placeholder note on avoiding friction, cuts and sunburn.