Definition:     Vitiligo is a disfiguring medical disease whose cause is unknown. Vitiligo causes destruction of melanocytes in the skin, mucous membranes, eyes, inner ear, and occasionally in hair bulbs. Melanocytes provide the pigment that gives skin its color. The loss of melanocytes alters both the structure and function of these organs and results in the absence of pigment.

Scope:

    This disease affects an estimated 1% of the world's population. It affects individuals of all origins and both sexes. Loss of pigment most commonly is noted first on the hands, feet, arms, face or lips. Frequently this disease is progressive.

Therapy:     The primary goal of therapy is to restore the skin's color by restoring melanocytes to the skin. Repigmentation of the skin with melanocytes allows the skin to regain its normal immune / inflammatory functions and improves the appearance of those suffering from this disease.

Medical: Several methods of treatment with varying success rates are currently in use. Some doctors prescribe skin creams and/or ointments with corticosteriods. The treatment most commonly used is the application or ingestion of the drug psoralens followed by exposure to Ultra-Violet light (sun light) . It is reported that these treatments result in limited success (only 61% of patients achieve more than 25% repigmentation). Even in patients who have a good response to medical treatment methods, the hands, fingers, feet, and ankles frequently do not re-pigment.

Surgical: You should consider the surgical treatment of vitiligo only if:
Your vitiligo has not changed in the last year.
You have not or no longer respond to UV light treatment.
Your skin has never permanently lost its color (pigment) when you have suffered a small cut or scrape.

 

Dr. Kiran Godse Skin Specialist Laksh-Deep Hospital