Vitiligo Information

About Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in which pigment cells (melanocytes) are destroyed, resulting in irregularly shaped white patches on the skin. The picture shows how Vitiligo looks. Any part of the body may be affected. Common sites are exposed areas (face, neck, eyes, nostrils, nipples, navel, genitalia), body folds (armpits, groin), sites of injury (cuts, scrapes, burns) and around pigmented moles halo naevi). The hair may also go grey early on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes and body. White hair is called ‘poliosis’. The retina may also be affected.



Sites about Vitiligo


Patient Foundations

England

America


Cause

The cause of Vitiligo is still unknown. There are many theoretical causes.


Treatment

Treatment institutes

Puva

PUVA is a combination treatment which consists of Psoralens (P) and then exposing the skin to long wave ultraviolet radiation (UVA). It has been available in its present form since 1976.
Psoralens are compounds found in many plants which make the skin temporarily sensitive to UVA. The ancient Egyptians were the first to use psoralens for the treatment of skin diseases thousands of years ago.

Psoralens

UVB (narrowband UVB), TL01

UV phototherapy is widely recognised as a treatment of Vitiligo. UV is responsible for stimulating your skin to produce pigmentation, or a sun tan with minimal side effects The effectiveness of UV treatment varies for each Vitiligo sufferer.

Bioskin therapy

Surgical Treatment

Patients with stable vitiligo, a skin disorder characterized by patches of lighter colored, or depigmented skin, may achieve good repigmentation of these areas with skin transplants using skin taken from normally-pigmented areas of their own bodies.

Bleaching

The goal of depigmentation is to unify skin color in patients with vitiligo virtually all over the body and those who have failed PUVA, who cannot use PUVA, or who reject the PUVA option. Bleaching with monobenzylether of hydroquinone 20% cream (Benoquin) is a permanent, irreversible process.

Calcipotriol (experimental)

Calcipotriol is a medicine that is a derivative of vitamin D. When applied to the skin it works by reducing the production of skin cells. In psoriasis, the scaling and thickening of the skin and the appearance of raised plaques, are the result of excessive skin cell production in this disease. Calcipotriol reduces the excessive skin cell production and therefore helps improve the symptoms of psoriasis. Calcipotriol is available as an ointment or cream for psoriasis plaques on the body, and as a scalp solution for easier application to psoriasis on the scalp.

Medical Tattoo (expirimental)

Laser (expirimental)

Folic acid and vitamin B12 (experimental)

Ayurveda from India(experimental)


Discussion / Forum


Media and Publications

Books


Products

The next products are supported by the manufacturers as possible treatment against vitiligo. The reactions about these products in the various messag boards tell good andbad stories.
This site ries to inform you about the possible tratments for the disease vitiligo.

We can't be responsible for any result or bad product. Read it and judge for your self.

Protection

Camouflage

UVB

Recovery