Vitiligo – Diagnosis and Treatment
About Vitiligo
What is it?
Vitiligo is the patchy loss of your skin’s natural color. This occurs when melanin, the pigment that determines your skin’s color, is damaged or destroyed. Vitiligo affects about 2 percent of Americans and develops in people of all skin colors; however, if you have dark skin, the contrast between the dark skin and the lighter areas of color loss is more noticeable. Moreover, this condition is often unpredictable. Some may personally experience only small patches of pigment loss, but for others, the condition may be much more widespread. It can be temporary for some and permanent for others. In extreme cases, it can alter a hair or eye color and/or develop inside the mouth.
What causes it?
The exact causes of vitiligo are unknown, but several possibilities are thought to be major contributors. Among these include immune system dysfunction, certain viruses, stress, sunburn, injury, and exposure to certain chemicals. As mentioned, symptoms include the development of white patches of skin, often with reddish-brown boundaries. These white patches can appear on many areas of the body, including the forehead, eye area, lips, mouth, hands, arms, elbows, underarms, knees, feet, neck, and torso.
Treatment for Vitiligo
This condition is unpredictable, and the treatment response is variable among patients. There is no cure for vitiligo, but some treatments may help the skin pigment return.
While there are no treatment options “approved” for vitiligo, we have had success with:
- Topical steroids
- Topical calcineurin inhibitors
- Narrowband UVB light therapy
- Other uniquely compounded therapies
Our approach & expertise
We know that sudden or unusual changes in your pigmentation, such as with vitiligo, can cause social and emotional distress. As your knowledgeable pediatric skin healthcare providers, we have the knowledge to help you manage this condition. We will work with you and your child to find the best solution.
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