Vitiligo is a skin condition characterised by the loss of natural colour from patches of skin. It usually occurs when melanocytes, the cells that make melanin, are damaged or stop working in certain areas of the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body, including the face, hands, feet, eyelids, lips and other prominent areas.
Although vitiligo is not harmful to your general health, the cosmetic impact can be devastating.
Vitiligo varies from person to person, and some people may only have a couple of patches, while others may have more widespread loss of skin colour.
Dr. Anuj Chopra, Consultant Dermatologist in Dwarka, offers assessment and treatment for a variety of skin conditions, having qualified in MBBS and DDVL and developed an interest in pigmentary problems and other common dermatological conditions.
Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder which causes patches of skin to lose their colour. The patches have lesser melanin pigment than the surrounding skin.
Vitiligo can occur at any age and on any skin type. It may be limited to a few areas or may be more widespread. Sometimes it may only affect a few patches, while in other cases it may be more extensive. The condition is unpredictable and can only be assessed by a qualified dermatologist.
Vitiligo can occur on:
Hair growing from the area affected by vitiligo can also lose its pigment.
The cause of vitiligo is unknown, but it is often considered an autoimmune condition, which means the body’s immune system is attacking the melanocytes.
There are many possible triggers for vitiligo, but it is not caused by dirt, germs or lack of hygiene, nor is it contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another.
There are a number of types of vitiligo and it is classified according to the pattern and extent of the patches.
Some people may have symmetrical patches, whereas others may have a localised pattern affecting only a part of the body or a few areas. Others may have more widespread vitiligo that is stable or active. A dermatologist will consider the pattern, duration, extent and activity of the disease before deciding what treatment is suitable.
The treatment of vitiligo depends on a number of factors including the extent of loss of skin colour, the location of the patches, the duration of the disease, the patient’s age and whether new patches are developing or not. As each case is different, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment and a dermatologist will evaluate and discuss the most suitable options for your vitiligo.
Treatment can be aimed at restoring pigmentation, reducing the contrast between vitiligo patches and normal skin or treating stable vitiligo which has failed to respond to other treatment.
Medical treatment can be considered in cases where the vitiligo is more active or affecting a limited number of areas of the skin. Dermatologists will decide what treatment is most suitable for you, taking into account your age, the extent and location of the patches and the activity of the disease. Patients may need regular follow-ups to monitor and review the treatment plan and its effectiveness. As everyone responds differently to treatment, it may take some time for the pigment to return to the affected areas of skin. The face tends to respond quicker than the hands and feet.
Surgery can be an option in cases where vitiligo patches are stable and have failed to respond to appropriate medical treatments. Different surgical treatments are available for patients with stable vitiligo which involves transplanting pigment-producing cells or pigmented skin from one part of the body to the affected area. Surgery is considered on an individual basis and a dermatologist will advise whether surgery is suitable for a particular case, depending on the stability of the disease and the location and size of the patch.
Vitiligo surgery can be considered in cases where:
A dermatologist can advise whether surgery is a suitable option for treatment depending on the stability and other characteristics of the vitiligo patches.
Medical and surgical treatments are not mutually exclusive and can be considered separately for different areas of vitiligo depending on whether they are active or stable. Medical treatments are usually considered for the control or treatment of active vitiligo in order to encourage repigmentation. Surgical treatment can be considered for stable areas where medical treatments have failed to elicit a response. A dermatologist can advise which treatment option is more suitable.
As everyone’s vitiligo is different, treatment response will vary from person to person. It is important to set realistic expectations with your dermatologist in terms of the likelihood of improvement and the extent and duration of treatment. In some cases, there may be a good response with repigmentation of some patches, while in other cases the patches may be more resistant. In addition, the disease may become active again and require further treatment. Long-term follow-up is usually recommended, particularly in cases where the disease has shown progressive behaviour.
No, vitiligo is not contagious and cannot be passed on to other people through touching or passing food.
Due to a lack of awareness around the condition, people with vitiligo can often be misunderstood and discriminated against. Many people do not understand that it is a skin pigmentation problem and not an infectious disease.
As vitiligo patches have less melanin than the surrounding skin, they are more prone to sunburn. Therefore it is important that patients with vitiligo take extra care in the sun, using sunscreens and sun protection clothing as recommended by your dermatologist. Sunburn should be avoided as it can further damage and irritate the skin.
You should consult a dermatologist if you notice:
Early assessment by a dermatologist can help establish a diagnosis and suitable management plan.
Dr. Anuj Chopra is a Consultant Dermatologist at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka. He has qualifications in MBBS and DDVL and has interests in pigmentary disorders, acne, psoriasis, eczema, paediatric dermatology, skin and hair diseases, as well as other dermatological conditions.
If you suspect you have vitiligo, you can consult a dermatologist to discuss a thorough assessment and understand the extent of the pigmentation loss. Based on the activity of the disease and your personal preferences, you can discuss suitable treatment options. If you have stable vitiligo which may be suitable for surgical management, a dermatologist will be able to assess whether a surgical approach is suitable for you.
Vitiligo is a skin pigmentation disorder that can result in unsightly white patches on different parts of the body. Although it is not contagious, it can be cosmetically devastating and treatment should be determined by a dermatologist depending on the type, extent, location, activity and duration of the condition. Vitiligo Treatment in Dwarka can involve a variety of medical and light-based treatments, whereas Vitiligo Surgery in Dwarka can be considered in certain cases for select patches of stable vitiligo.
Vitiligo is a skin condition characterised by the loss of skin colour due to malfunctioning melanocytes.
No. It is a skin pigmentation condition which cannot be passed from one person to another.
Yes. There are a variety of treatment options for different types of vitiligo. Treatment response varies from person to person.
Vitiligo surgery is a procedure which involves transplanting melanocytes or pigmented skin from one part of the body to another, in order to treat depigmented patches of skin.
Vitiligo surgery can be considered in some patients with stable vitiligo, particularly if there has not been a satisfactory response to other treatment. Suitability should be assessed by a qualified dermatologist.
Surgery is considered for stable vitiligo rather than active patches. A dermatologist will assess the activity of the disease before deciding if surgery is a suitable option.
Vitiligo can be unpredictable and new patches of vitiligo may develop after treatment. A dermatologist may therefore recommend long-term follow-up.
Vitiligo mainly affects the skin, causing patches of skin to lose their pigment. It is not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another. However, as it can be an autoimmune condition, a dermatologist will usually consider the patient’s general health when managing the condition.
A dermatologist specialises in managing pigmentation disorders such as vitiligo. Dr. Anuj Chopra is a Consultant Dermatologist in Dwarka interested in treating pigmentary disorders.
The results of vitiligo surgery will vary depending on the individual, the location and size of the patch and how long it has been present.
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