Vitiligo is a relatively common skin condition which can cause extreme distress to sufferers because of its obviously unusual appearance. It affects at least 1-2% of the population or 1-2 in every 100 people in nearly every country in the world. It affects people of both sexes equally, and it affects all races. It can begin at any age, however, about fifty percent of people with Vitiligo develop it before the age of twenty five. You cannot catch Vitiligo. It is not infectious or contagious. Currently, there is no absolute cure for Vitiligo but there are several treatments.
Vitiligo, like psoriasis, is thought to be hereditary. Even if your immediate parents or grand parents do not have Vitiligo, they may have had another genetic issue that is loosely associated with Vitiligo, such as thyroid problems or diabetes etc.
The actual cause of Vitiligo is not known, but doctors and researchers have several different theories. One theory is that people develop antibodies that destroy the melanocytes in their own bodies. Another theory is that melanocytes destroy themselves. Finally, some people have reported that a single event such as sunburn or emotional distress triggered Vitiligo; however, these events have not been scientifically proven to cause Vitiligo.
vitiligo treatments and cures
The treatment options for Vitiligo have some similarities with psoriasis. Steroids can be used to stimulate the skin to produce the missing or deficient melanocytes and thus darkening the white skin patches. Steroids have many dangerous side effects and are typically only a temporary treatment. Stop using the steroids and the Vitiligo usually returns soon after. There is a process known as "depigmentation" that is really a backwards treatment. It involves using steroids or other agents to lighten your normal skin to match the colour of your Vitiligo affected skin. Obviously this could be more embarrassing than the Vitiligo by its self. There are a range of cosmetic options to hide or mask the white patches but this only offers a psychological solution and is only very temporary. In extreme cases surgery can be used to graft skin from a patients back-side or back to cover the white Vitiligo patches.
UV phototherapy is widely recognised as a treatment of Vitiligo. UV is responsible for stimulating your skin to produce pigmentation, or a sun tan with minimal side effects The effectiveness of UV treatment varies for each Vitiligo sufferer. Caution should be taken when using UV phototherapy to treat Vitiligo. As Vitiligo is an absence of skin pigmentation the white skin affected by Vitiligo is very susceptible to sun burn, but by the same nature generally responds well to UV phototherapy treatment.
what about vitamins?
You may have seen web pages advertising vitamin cures and treatments for Vitiligo, these have been proven time and time again to have little or no effect on Vitiligo. Vitiligo is NOT caused by a vitamin or diet deficiency, therefore vitamins can be no benefit at all. Vitamins can only benefit you if you have a deficiency. Neither Vitiligo, Acne, Dermatitis or psoriasis are caused by any deficiency in your diet. Vitiligo is not caused by a toxin that can be remove from your system by a vitamin or other magic health pill. No oil or herb rubbed into your skin will have any lasting effect on Vitiligo, its simply impossible. If it was, the product would be available from every doctor, pharmacist and hospital in the world.
Brief vitiligo overview
Vitiligo is a skin condition in which there is loss of pigment from areas of skin resulting in irregular white patches with normal skin texture.
Vitiligo Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Vitiligo appears to be an acquired condition and may appear at any age. There is an increased incidence in some families. Vitiligo is more noticeable in darker skinned people because of the contrast.
The cause of vitiligo is unknown, but autoimmunity may be a factor. This condition affects about 1% of the U.S. population. Lesions appear as flat depigmented areas with a darker boarder. The edges are sharply defined but irregular. Frequently affected areas are the face, elbows and knees, hands and feet, and genitalia
Vitiligo Symptoms & Signs
- Family history of vitiligo
- Sudden or gradual onset of flat normally textured areas of skin with complete pigment loss
Vitiligo Diagnosis & Tests
Examination is usually sufficient to confirm the diagnosis. In some cases, a skin biopsy may be needed to rule out other causes of pigment loss.
Vitiligo Treatment
Vitiligo is difficult to treat. Early treatment options include the following:
- Exposure to intense ultraviolet light, such as narrow-band UVB therapy
- Oral medications, such as Trisoralen (trimethylpsoralen)
- Topical medications
- Repigmenting agents such as Oxsoralen (methoxsalen)
- Immunosuppressants such as Elidel (pimecrolimus) and Protopic (tacrolimus)
- Corticosteroid creams
Skin may be grafted, or removed from normal areas and placed into areas of pigment loss. In the future, skin pigment cells may be grown in the laboratory and used to treat areas of vitiligo.
Vitiligo Prognosis (Expectations)
The course of vitiligo varies. Some areas may repigment, but other new areas may appear. Depigmentation may be progressive.
Vitiligo Complications:
Depigmented areas are more likely to sunburn or develop certain skin cancers. Vitiligo is associated with three systemic diseases:
- 1. pernicious anemia
- 2. hyperthyroidism
- 3. Addison's disease.
Source: About Health
Narrow Band UVB phototherapy has consistently achieved over 90% repigmentation within a year for most patients. Neighbouring pigment cells will produce new pigment into the Vitiligo patches providing the melanocytes still exist in the adjoining areas of skin.
Products for the treatment of Vitiligo
We offer a variety of products for treatment of Vitiligo. Please click here to see all products or here for the Dermalight80 for spot treatment of Vitiligo. |
