All About Vitiligo Treatment That you Need To know

Vitiligo is a long-lasting and in some cases a permanent condition of loss of pigment from the skin. It causes  white patches particularly on the skin of the face, neck, hands, and body openings. Loss of pigment also causes greying of hair. Melanocytes are the cells providing color to skin and hair by producing melanin pigment. These melanocytes lose their function, and no more melanin is produced by these cells, developing white patches on the skin. Various options for Vitiligo Treatment In Bangalore are available today that can help restore skin tone or even out pigmentation.

What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a non-communicable disease, and it does not spread among the community, neither by contact nor through the air. This affects only a minor population number. It has been observed that although it can affect any skin type, the white patches on dark skinned people are more noticeable. The adult generation (20-30 years of age) is commonly affected. 

Causes of Vitiligo

• The exact cause of loss of function from melanocytes is unknown yet. Some common factors that can cause vitiligo are cited here. 

• The top-most being autoimmune responses. Patients with any other autoimmune diseases are observed to be most likely to have vitiligo. It has been found that the blood of vitiligo patients has antibodies to melanocytes. 

• Due to some genetic changes, the T-Cells start to attack the melanocytes of the own body, producing white patches. Some patients may have inherited genes from their ancestors that could affect every patient differently due to environmental changes. 

• Exposure to UV radiation is also a major cause here, as UV radiation can cause mutations in patients, leading to malfunctioning in melanocytes. 

• Stress has also been a common cause of vitiligo lately. 

• Excessive use of chemicals on the skin (especially at injured or sunburned areas) may also cause vitiligo.

Vitiligo symptoms:

To determine whether the white patches on skin are actually vitiligo or some other skin condition, some common symptoms among vitiligo patients have been observed that can be used to differentiate the conditions, are:

The most common sign is that white patches appear quickly on the hands, face, neck, and feet.

It is not painful generally, but a few patients complain about occasional itching in the area. The size of white patches may sometimes expand or remain the same for a long time. 

Repeated re-pigmentation and de-pigmentation occur in some patients.

The greying of hair has been observed very commonly, since hair also contains melanin pigment. 

To differentiate from other reasons for hair greying, hair at the eyebrows and eyelids also becomes grey in vitiligo patients, which is not commonly seen otherwise. White patches at the mucosal lining inside the mouth and nose also occur in some vitiligo patients.

Types of vitiligo

Two major types of vitiligo are: 

1. Segmental Vitiligo

2. Non-Segmental Vitiligo

 

The Segmental Vitiligo affects one side or segment of the body, for example, one hand or one leg, or one foot. This type of vitiligo is less commonly found. The pigments from hair on the head, eyebrows, and eyelashes are lost. 

In Non-Segmental Vitiligo, the white patches are found on both sides of the patient's body.  The patch in Segmental Vitiligo may stop spreading after some time, but in the case of Non-Segmental Vitiligo, these keep expanding and spreading, affecting most of the cells. 

Remedies and treatments

Some natural products are advised to be used as remedies for the treatment of vitiligo, like turmeric and mustard oil, or lemon with basil extract, etc. These treatments, along with a particular diet composition, only help in the prevention of the condition but can rarely treat it once white patches are formed.

 

1. Corticosteroid creams: One of the most effective ointments for vitiligo is corticosteroid creams. But do not apply any ointments without consulting the doctor as corticosteroids have adverse effects on skin if used for a very long time. Corticosteroids can make skin thinner and fragile therefore it is advised to not use the ointment at sensitive and thinner skin like eyelids, neck or genitals etc. 

An alternative for corticosteroids (calcineurin inhibitor cream) is thus discovered that can be used on sensitive and fragile skin. 

2. Light therapy: This therapy is also considered a very effective treatment for vitiligo. It is also called phototherapy. A light or photons are bombarded at the affected area, which prevents melanocytes from further damage. The UV light used in this treatment stimulates growth factors. The melanin can be restored in some cases where vitiligo has not advanced yet. Several sessions are required for light treatment to show its effect. 

3. Oral medications or injections: Another treatment is orally consumed medications or injections. Antibiotics can sometimes treat vitiligo, mostly tetracycline. It may not show an effect in all types of patients, and only the professionals can advise the correct medication for particular patients. 

Other medicines include steroids or medicines that affect the immune system (to cease the autoimmune responses). Methotrexate, mycophenolate, afamelanotide etc, are certain other prescribed medications to treat vitiligo.

4. Laser Therapy

In this procedure a laser light with 308-nm wavelength is used to target affected areas. It’s beneficial for small areas and can help with localized re-pigmentation.

5. De-pigmentation

Depigmentation of the remaining pigmented skin could be an option to make an even skin tone in patients with much vitiligo. This is generally performed through monobenzone cream. It is permanent and irreversible, so it's usually a last-used option.

6. Surgical Treatments

If medical treatments are not effective, surgical methods may be considered. These include:

• Skin grafting: Transplanting healthy pigmented skin to depigmented areas.

• Blister grafting: Developing blisters on pigmented skin and transferring them to white patches.

• Cell suspension transplantation: Melanocytes are extracted from healthy skin, processed, and transferred to depigmented areas.

Note-Surgical options are usually considered for stable vitiligo that has not grown for a minimum  6–12 months.

Managing Vitiligo tips for the patients:

Regularly use sunscreen: The affected skin in vitiligo patients is more sensitive to sunburn or sun damage.

Prevent skin: Any trauma to skin, such as cuts or burns, can sometimes trigger new vitiligo patches.

Manage stress: High stress may lead to flare-ups.

Consistent with the treatment: Many therapies take weeks or months to show results.

Although vitiligo is a challenging condition, medical advancements give hope. There are multiple options for managing the condition, such as topical medications, surgical procedures, medications and light therapies, treatments. The main focus is on its early diagnosis, personalized care, and a positive, proactive approach to treatment. 

If someone is dealing with vitiligo, consult with the best skin Specialist in Bangalore, Dr. Rasya Dixit, to explore the best treatment options. In this clinic tretaments are designed as per individual needs. Visit Dr. Dixit Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic for details today!