Vitiligo can be defined as a skin disorder in which the skin tends to lose its colour (depigmented), resulting in white/light coloured patches or spots. The severity of vitiligo depends from person to person – while one person may have widespread patches, others may have only a few.
A certified dermatologist can help restore skin’s natural colour with effective treatment.
People of any skin colour can develop vitiligo. The spots are more visible on dark or tanned skin because of the contrast of light patches compared to light skin. Vitiligo is a non-contagious disease and cannot spread from one person to another.
Vitiligo is considered an autoimmune condition wherein the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues and organs. In the case of vitiligo, it attacks the pigment cells in the skin called melanocytes.
While vitiligo can run in the family, having a close blood relative with vitiligo doesn’t necessarily imply that you will get vitiligo. A number of genes may have a role to play. Vitiligo occurs due to certain changes in these genes.
Inheriting certain genes may also increase the risk of something triggering vitiligo.
Known vitiligo triggers include:
It is also known as unilateral vitiligo. Segmental vitiligo causes the skin to lose colour on one part or side of the body. After about 6 to 12 months, segmental vitiligo tends to stabilise, meaning that the colour loss stops. Once it stops, most people with segmental vitiligo don't develop new patches or spots.
In non-segmental vitiligo, the patches tend to appear on both sides of the body. For example, both knees or both hands. The spread is mostly distributed all over the body in patches.
While treatment can help you restore your lost skin colour, sometimes, the results are temporary.
Maintenance therapy helps to prevent this colour loss. To maintain results, dermatologists can prescribe medication that you can apply to the skin as instructed.
When medication is used along with self-care and precautions, many patients maintain the colour that the treatment added to their skin.
Some people have an increased risk of getting non-segmental vitiligo. Common factors of increased risk include:
If you notice any white patches and spots on your skin, you must determine if you have vitiligo. Having vitiligo increases the risk of contracting other autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata and thyroid disease.
If you are suffering from vitiligo, vitiligo treatment in Delhi from a certified dermatologist can help. Your dermatologist may also monitor other illnesses and refer you to other doctors if necessary.
Usually, vitiligo begins with a few light patches on the skin. These patches may remain the same size or expand. New patches of depigmentation can also emerge.
Generalised vitiligo occurs when vitiligo causes widespread patches of colour loss on multiple parts of the body. While this condition is rare, some people can develop universal vitiligo in which they lose the majority of their skin tone.
While there is no known cure for vitiligo, certain precautions can help manage the condition and potentially slow down its progression. Here are some precautions to consider:
Vitiligo can lead to anxiety, lack of confidence and self-consciousness. Many patients may resort to remedies for vitiligo treatment at home, but they can only worsen the symptoms.
At DermaSure, we diagnose vitiligo by reviewing your medical history and examining your skin. Depending on the severity of the case, we focus on two aspects prior to the treatment:
Vitiligo treatment for every patient may vary. Before creating a treatment plan, we prioritise a patient’s comfort. We take into account certain factors like your age, overall health, and the effects the disease has on your life.
The types of vitiligo, where it appears on the body, and how it’s progressing also play important roles. Here are the treatments considered for their patients who have vitiligo:
This works best on people who have recently developed vitiligo. When used short-term, this medication is often effective for both children and adults.
One advantage of this medication is that it can be used for a longer time than corticosteroids. These work best to treat the skin on the head or neck.
This medication aids in re-pigmentation. Dermatologists prescribe calcipotriene for children and adults.
In this, a dermatologist exposes your skin to (UV) light that is helpful in restoring your natural skin colour. If a significant area of your body needs treatment, your dermatologist may also prescribe phototherapy.
If other treatments fail to restore skin colour, surgery may be an option worth considering. The types of surgery used to treat vitiligo are cell transplant or skin graft.
Certain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or enzymes can restore your natural skin colour.
It removes the remaining natural colour, creating an even skin tone. To remove the remaining colour from their skin, a patient applies cream to the areas of skin that still have pigment. The cream gradually removes the remaining colour.
The procedure may cause some discomfort, but it is usually brief and tolerable. Topical anaesthetic creams or ice packs can be used to minimise any potential discomfort.
Currently, there is no proven way of preventing vitiligo. There are many other skin disorders that can lead to skin lightening, which are treatable. If you have vitiligo, the sooner you start the vitiligo treatment, the better. If left untreated for years, vitiligo may be difficult to treat.
It depends on the case. If depigmentation treatment is used, it can take one to four years to get an even skin tone. When started early, the skin’s original colour may be restored in a matter of months.
Undergoing vitiligo treatment is better than doing home remedies or allowing the vitiligo to fester. With effective treatment, the spread of patches or spots can be controlled, and a dermatologist can work towards restoring the original skin tone.
Larger patches can occasionally keep growing and spreading, although they typically remain in one location for many years. Because some parts of skin lose and regain pigment throughout time, the location of smaller molecules varies. The affected skin differs depending on the individual receiving the vitiligo diagnosis.
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