Vujevich Dermatology Associates provides diagnosis and treatment for vitiligo symptoms in our offices.
What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is most commonly recognized by patches of skin that have lost color. Vitiligo symptoms can appear on any part of the body. The amount of skin color lost and the size of patches is unpredictable. Vitiligo can also appear in your hair and on the inside of your mouth. Vitiligo, like other medical dermatology conditions we treat, is a common skin condition.
What Causes Vitiligo?
Vitiligo occurs when the cells in your body that produce melanin die or quit producing melanin. Melanin is the pigment that produces your skin color, eye color, and the color of your hair. Once your cells die or decrease the amount of melanin being produced, your skin will begin to lighten in color and can eventually turn white.
There is no main cause of vitiligo. However, the appearance of vitiligo symptoms or signs may be linked to one of the following:
- A disorder that causes your immune system to attack the cells in your body that produce melanin
- A family history of vitiligo
- An event that has triggered vitiligo symptoms such as a sunburn, stress, or exposure to industrial chemicals
Vitiligo Symptoms and Signs
The most recognized vitiligo sign is the loss of skin color in patches. These patches can occur on any part of your body. Areas often exposed to the sun are the first places that vitiligo typically appears. These areas include your hands, feet, lips, and face.
Other vitiligo symptoms and signs include:
- Premature whitening of your hair, including your eyelashes, eyebrows, and beard
- Loss of color on the inside of your mouth and nose
- Loss or change of color in your retinas
Types of Vitiligo
There are two main types of vitiligo: segmental vitiligo and non-segmental vitiligo. Segmental vitiligo is also known as unilateral vitiligo. Segmental vitiligo typically appears on only one part of the body, such as an arm or a leg. Approximately half of people diagnosed with this type of vitiligo lose some color. For example, they may lose color in one eyebrow and in a few eyelashes. Segmental vitiligo symptoms often appear at an early age. It progresses for approximately one year and then stops.
Non-segmental vitiligo is the most common form of vitiligo. Non-segmental vitiligo is also known as bilateral vitiligo, vitiligo vulgaris, and generalized vitiligo. Non-segmental vitiligo appears on both sides of the body. In this type, vitiligo signs first appear on the hands, fingertips, wrists, feet, or around the eyes and mouth.
Non-segmental vitiligo is often characterized by a rapid loss of skin color, which slows, and then begins more rapidly again. This stop and start cycle typically occurs throughout the person’s lifetime. As the person ages, the patches of color loss continue to grow until most of the body is affected.
Vitiligo Treatments
The goal of vitiligo treatments is to slow the progression of vitiligo symptoms. There are three common vitiligo treatments available.
- No Medical Treatment
Some people who have vitiligo symptoms may choose to forgo medical treatment. A common option for non-medical treatment includes covering the affected areas with makeup or self-tanner. Your dermatologist can recommend makeup, such as Glo Skin Beauty, that is known to work well with sensitive skin.
- Medications
Topical medications can be prescribed by your dermatologist to help slow the discoloration of your skin. Some topical medications can also help restore color to the affected areas. Results are not immediate, but with continued use approximately half of people regain some color in the affected areas.
Other medications can be prescribed to use in conjunction with topical medications to strengthen the effects. Topical medications are most effective on people with darker skin tones and on areas such as the face.
- Light Therapy
Two light therapy options are available to treat vitiligo symptoms: a narrowband ultraviolet B light box or excimer laser treatment. A lightbox is most effective when treating large areas displaying vitiligo symptoms. Excimer laser treatments are best when treating small areas. Light therapy can be used in combination with topical medication to see the best results. Approximately 70% of people who are prescribed light therapy regain color in the affected areas.
You should schedule an appointment with your dermatologist when you first notice any skin discoloration. Although vitiligo symptoms have no cure, the appropriate treatment can slow or stop new patches from forming or help to regain color in those patches as well.
Contact us today at Vujevich Dermatology Associates if you would like to make an appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists to discuss your specific condition and treatment options.