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 Dr. Anuradha Kakkanat Babu
Consultant Dermatologist
Aster Medcity, Kochi
Fast Facts About Vitiligo
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Vitiligo is a disease in which the pigment cells of the skin,
melanocytes, are destroyed in certain areas.
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Symptoms and signs of vitiligo include loss of skin color in the form of
depigmented, or white, patches of skin in any location on the body.
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Vitiligo can be focal and localized to one area, or it may affect
several different areas on the body.
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The exact cause of vitiligo is unknown, although most experts believe
that it is an autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system
mistakenly attacks and destroys certain cells within the body.
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Most people who have vitiligo will develop the condition prior to age
40; about half develop it before age 20.
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Vitiligo may have a genetic component, as the condition tends to run in
families.
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Vitiligo is sometimes associated with other medical conditions,
including thyroid dysfunction.
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There is no way to determine if vitiligo will spread or remain confined
to one location.
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Vitiligo is not contagious or painful and does not have significant
health consequences; however, it can have emotional and psychological
consequences.
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Some medical treatments can reduce the severity of the condition, but it
can be difficult to cure.
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There is no known way to prevent vitiligo.
Treatment may help make the skin look more even. The choice of treatment depends
on:
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The number of white patches
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How widespread the patches are
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The treatment the person prefers to use.
Some treatments are not right for everyone. Many treatments can have
unwanted side effects. Treatments can take a long time.
Current treatment options for vitiligo include medical, surgical, and other
treatments. Most treatments are aimed at restoring color to the white patches of
skin.
Medical treatments include:
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Medicines (such as creams) that you put on the skin
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Medicines that you take by mouth
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Phototherapy using Ultraviolet A or B rays
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A treatment that uses medicine plus ultraviolet A (UVA) light (PUVA)
Surgical treatments include:
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Skin grafts from a person’s own tissues. The doctor takes skin from one area
of a patient’s body and attaches it to another area. This is sometimes used
for people with small patches of vitiligo.
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Tattooing small areas of skin.
Other treatments include:
What Can People Do to Cope With Vitiligo?
When you have vitiligo, you may be upset or depressed about the change in
your appearance. There are several things you can do to cope with the
disorder:
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Find a doctor who knows how to treat vitiligo. The doctor should also be a
good listener and be able to provide emotional support.
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Learn about the disorder and treatment choices. This can help you make
decisions about your treatment.
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Talk with other people who have vitiligo. A vitiligo group can help you find
a support group (check your local listings). Family and friends are another
source of support.
Some people with vitiligo have found that cosmetics that cover the white
patches improve their appearance and help them feel better about themselves.
Vitiligo - Support Groups
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Shweta Association
Pune, Maharashtra
India
Ph: 9520-25458760, 25440530
Email: maya@myshewta.org
Website:www.myshweta.org -
Leucoderma Awareness Movement (LAM)-INDIA
No 4/8, Theiva Nagar first street, Patel Nagar, West Tambaram, (Near ESI Hospital),Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600045
Phone : 044 2226 5507, +91 96001 58690Email: leucodermafree@yahoo.in
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Leucodermachennai/
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Aarus Foundation
Kudubunisha chawl, Gaondevi road,
Poisar, Kandivali East, Behind Soni Medical, Mumbai - 400101, Maharashtra, India
Contact :Akash Tiwari
Phone : (+91)99302-59228
Email: aarusfoundationvitiligo@gmail.com
Website: https://www.aarusfoundationvitiligo.org/
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Vitiligo Support and Awareness
Foundation | VITSAF
Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria
Email: vitsupng@gmail.com or info@vitsaf.org
Website: www.vitsaf.org
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Vitiligo Support International
Lynchburg, Virginia
Website: www.vitiligosupport.org
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Vitiligo Research Foundation | VR
Foundation
New York, USA
Email: info@vrfoundation.org
Website: www.vrfoundation.org
| Updated on 27/6/2022 |
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