Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin condition characterized by the loss of melanin, which commonly results in a whitish patch on the skin surface. Melanin is a pigment that controls your skin color and hair color.

When the cells in the body that produce melanin die off, vitiligo is the result, and the symptoms can be a little traumatic for some patients. It is believed that millions of Americans have vitiligo, and it affects people of all races. Over time, it can increase to affect more areas of the body.

Treatment of vitiligo usually aims to equalize skin tone by restoring natural color or wiping out all the skin's pigment. The approach will vary depending on the patient's skin type, the severity of the condition (how prevalent on the body), and the practical needs of the patient.

Possible treatment options include, but are not limited to:

Re-pigmentation with corticosteroids: These drugs include cortisone, and they work particularly well when applied early in the progression of the disease. A cream gets applied to the white patches of skin for a few months and results could be seen within several months.
PUVA: The topical treatment of psoralen with ultraviolet A is an effective treatment option for minor cases of vitiligo. Psoralen gets applied to the depigmented areas by a doctor, who then introduces a timed exposure of UVA light. This is supposed to restore skin pigment and a more normal appearance.
Depigmentation: Fading the skin to equalize the white areas is a practical option when more than half the body is affected by vitiligo. However, the result is permanent and can often result in skin that is overly sensitive to sunlight.