It is easy enough to notice vitiligo, the initial stage is quite noticeable. On the skin, the initial stage of vitiligo (photo 2) is manifested by barely noticeable white spots, the size of which does not exceed 0.2-0.3 cm. Often such minor symptoms of vitiligo are simply ignored.
Dermatological studies have shown that if a patient has skin melanoma, the occurrence of vitiligo increases the chances of regression of the disease. Under favorable conditions for pathology, the initial stage can develop, passing into other forms:
- stationary;
- progressive;
- stage of repigmentation.
During the stationary stage white spots (photo 3) do not change, new signs of vitiligo do not appear. When progressive, there is a "multiplication" of spots, the existing lesions increase in size. The growth rate depends on the personal characteristics of the body, the symptoms of vitiligo can worsen over several weeks.
Vitiligo after treatment can go into the stage of repigmentation. Against the background of exposure to chemical agents or taking medications, the violation of skin pigmentation becomes less aggressive. If you ignore the pathology, complications may develop, which include:
- psoriasis;
- focal baldness;
- early gray hair;
- lichen planus;
- scleroderma.
In some cases, the cause of the violation of skin pigmentation becomes pityriasis versicolor in humans, the symptoms of which are a little similar to vitiligo. This disease belongs to infectious pathologies, and usually affects adults.
People of almost all ages are susceptible to the disease, but vitiligo in children (photo 4) less than ten years old is rare. Vitiligo skin disease occurs most often in teenage girls, especially if they are overly emotional. Anxiety and stress contribute not only to the appearance of spots, but to their rapid development.
The initial stage of vitiligo in children can appear even after a common cold, the complications of which have damaged the immune system. In this case, vitiligo looks like barely noticeable pinkish spots on the skin. Poliosis also occurs - loss of pigmentation of the hairline where signs of vitiligo appear in children.
Even if the disease occurs in a pregnant woman, it does not necessarily pass to her child. Vitiligo in a newborn appears for reasons beyond the control of the mother's body. Vitiligo in infants can occur against the background of concomitant diseases, which include psoriasis in children, or versicolor versicolor.
Due to the fact that vitiligo rarely occurs in young children, parents may not pay enough attention to the disease. This is a serious mistake: without treatment, the skin disease vitiligo will progress, which can lead to serious psychological problems. Children who show signs of vitiligo on their bodies often face resentment from their peers.
It is advisable to start treatment as soon as the initial stage appears. But you cannot make a diagnosis yourself, even if the parents are sure that vitiligo begins and clear pigmented spots have appeared. Pigment production problems can cause hypomelanosis in a child (photo in gal), in which light spots appear on the skin. To detect vitiligo in a child, it is necessary to pass blood tests for sugar levels and thyroid hormones. In some cases, a histological examination of the problem skin area will be required. Vitiligo in infants requires treatment in the same way as pathology in older children.
In children, albinism, a pathology in which there is a violation of pigmentation, can also provoke similar symptoms. Such a failure is not just a cosmetic defect: a lack of melanin can lead to visual impairment or intolerance to sunlight.
What is vitiligo disease
Vitiligo disease (see photo 6) is a pathology in which melanin disappears in some areas of the skin. It is a pigment that gives our skin color, without it, there is a violation of skin pigmentation. Vitiligo spots are milky white, can have any shape and increase as the disease progresses. The initial stage of vitiligo under the eyes or in other places manifests itself with one or two barely noticeable spots, which after six months can turn into one local lesion.
Vitiligo is a chronic disease with a recurrent nature. Therefore, signs of vitiligo in children or adults can spontaneously appear and disappear. The disease affects any part of the body, vitiligo manifests itself on the back and even on the scalp. Vitiligo often appears on the genitals, back or under the eyes. The initial stage of vitiligo on the hands changes not only the fingers, but also the forearms. The causes of vitiligo can be very different. These include:
- trauma;
- burns;
- failure of the immune system;
- genetics;
- liver problems;
- pathology of the gastrointestinal tract;
- endocrine problems;
- stress;
- long-term toxic effects.
Due to these same symptoms, leucoderma can occur, the symptoms of which are often confused with vitiligo. It is difficult to distinguish between these two diseases without the help of a specialist.
Before and after vitiligo treatment
Medicines for the treatment of vitiligo should be selected by the attending physician. The choice depends on the degree of skin damage, personal characteristics of the body and the stage of the disease. In the localized form, Sinalar, Triacort, Elokom or Hydrocortisone are used, in the generalized form, Triamcinolone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone and their analogs are used. If the spots did not grow before vitiligo treatment, the therapy will not only stop their development, but also begin to restore the natural pigmentation of the skin.
To defeat vitiligo spots on the face or other areas of the skin, it is also recommended to use vitamin-mineral complexes, in some cases ultraviolet therapy is necessary. If local treatment cannot overcome vitiligo skin disease, donor skin transplantation is used.
Topical treatments for vitiligo also include ultraviolet or laser therapy. To get rid of vitiligo on your feet, a simple diet of seafood, corn, rice and apples is recommended. Systemic or local glucocorticoids will help to remove vitiligo in intimate places.
Model with Vitiligo Chantelle Brown-Young
Despite the fact that vitiligo in girls does not look very attractive, for some people it becomes a kind of zest. Example - Winnie Harlow aka model with vitiligo Chantelle Brown-Young (photo 8). The initial stage of vitiligo manifested itself as early as three years old, and once this was the reason for bullying and ridicule.
By the age of nineteen, this girl is the most famous model with vitiligo. This model with vitiligo became the inspiration for an Internet flash mob: fans used cosmetics to simulate characteristic pigmentation disorders. The model with vitiligo became widely known after participating in the show "America's Next Top Model".
Michael Jackson and Vitiligo
If a model with skin pigmentation is not shy about her ailment, then some other celebrities with vitiligo treat the disease in a completely different way. Michael Jackson also had vitiligo. Dark-skinned people also develop milky white spots. At first, the singer used cosmetics to hide the defect, and then decided on a serious operation to transplant donor skin.
Gallery of photos of vitiligo on the body
Vitiligo is a disease that causes discoloration of certain areas of the body due to the destruction of the melanin pigment. Physicians from all over the world are constantly studying the nature of its occurrence and the nature of its development. Vitiligo treatment is carried out in a comprehensive manner, taking into account the factors that led to the manifestation of specific symptoms.
Description of the disease
Vitiligo is a disease during which discolored areas of skin of different localization and size are formed on the body against the background of the destruction of melanin (natural skin pigment). Pathology has a chronic course, it is difficult to treat. Most often it is found in people under the age of 30 (more than 50% of cases). The disease is equally likely to affect both men and women. Also, the frequency of its development does not depend on the race of a person. But in dark-skinned people, the white patches on the skin are more visible.
According to recent studies, vitiligo occurs in 1% of the world's population.
In medical practice, other names for the disease are also used - leukoderma, leukoderma. Pathology is not well understood, therefore, the selection of the correct treatment is not always effective.
Symptoms
This disease begins with the appearance of well-defined spots of light white or milky color on the skin. The emergence of vitiligo foci is typical for such areas of the body as the face (around the lips, eyes, on the nose, near the ears), limbs (the back of the palms and feet, fingers). Very often discolored spots appear under the armpits, in the groin, near the genitals and on other intimate places, on the elbows and knees. The lesions are more visible in people with dark skin. Quite often, colorless spots form on the head or in the place where the beard grows in men.
The main signs of vitiligo include:
Varieties of vitiligo
There are several criteria on the basis of which vitiligo is classified.
Classification according to the course of the disease
Depending on the stage of development of vitiligo, there are:
- Initial. One discolored spot with a rounded shape is revealed on the body.
- Stage of stability. The spot that appears is gradually increasing in size. No other changes are observed.
- Progress. It is characterized by an increase in the size of the old spot, while other depigmented areas appear.
- Repigmentation. Sometimes it happens that discolored areas of the body begin to paint back over.
Types of vitiligo depending on the location
The localized type of vitiligo, the symptom of which is the appearance of one depigmented skin area, is divided into the following types:
- Focal leucoderma. One or more spots are observed on the body of a sick person, which are in close proximity to each other.
- Segmental. The appearance of light spots occurs on a part of the body along the nerve fibers.
- Mucous leucoderm. The problem manifests itself exclusively on the surface of the mucous membranes.
- The generalized form of the disease is characterized by the appearance of light spots all over the body. It is divided into several types:
- Vulgar. Differs in the formation of discolored spots that are randomly scattered throughout the body.
- Acrofascial. The appearance of spots usually occurs on the surface of the hands, on the face, and on the lower limbs.
- Mixed. It is characterized by the presence of signs of different types of vitiligo.
- Universal. The negative process develops throughout the body and occupies 80% of the skin area.
The reasons
Vitiligo usually begins when exposed to certain external and internal factors that affect the human body. This disease is never born, it is considered an acquired pathology. Most people develop vitiligo in the first ten years of life, during puberty. Women may experience such a pathology during pregnancy or with the onset of menopause.
Doctors have found that the development of light spots on the skin is largely due to the peaks of solar activity, which occur in the spring and summer.
The causes of vitiligo are not fully understood. But there are a number of unfavorable factors that directly affect the development of this disease.
Autoimmune processes
Autoimmune refers to such processes in the body, which are accompanied by the production of antibodies to its own tissues. In this case, the patient's immune system attacks the cells responsible for the production of skin pigment melanin.
Quite often, doctors find other autoimmune diseases in people with vitiligo:
- systemic lupus;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- goiter Hashimoto;
- addison's disease and others.
Genetic predisposition
Scientists have established a hereditary factor in the development of vitiligo. Parents with this pathology will almost certainly have children with the same problem. It has been established that in people with fair skin and blue eyes, the disease is much less common than in brown-eyed people. 
Neuroendocrine causes
A sharp change in hormonal levels, provoked by diseases or natural causes (due to pregnancy, menopause, puberty), leads to the appearance of light spots on the skin. Also, the provoking factors include stressful conditions that negatively affect the work of all organs and systems.
Trophic disorders
Trophic disorders are understood as nutritional disorders of the skin associated with its trauma. They are provoked by mechanical, chemical or radiation influences. After a violation of the integrity of the skin, an inflammatory process develops, which has an autoimmune component, which provokes the destruction of melanin. And with prolonged exposure to the sun, the existing pathological process is aggravated.
Action of drugs
Some medications can trigger the development of a disease such as vitiligo. The exact list of drugs and the effect of the duration of the period of their administration has not been finally established.
Presence of liver disease
In adults and children, the development of vitiligo is associated with the following diseases:
- parenchymal changes in the liver;
- stagnation of bile;
- helminthic invasions (including giardiasis).
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of "vitiligo" is made by a dermatologist based on the examination and the study of the course of the disease. Modern medical practice involves performing such manipulations to determine skin pathology:
- Examination of the skin using a Wood lamp. This diagnostic method is considered one of the most effective. During the examination, the depigmented areas of the skin glow with a white-blue color and acquire clear outlines.
- Biopsy of the altered tissue. Helps to accurately diagnose and distinguish vitiligo from other skin diseases.
- General and biochemical blood test. Helps to determine the presence of concomitant pathologies.
Treatment principles
It is extremely difficult to recover from vitiligo, as the appearance of spots is often associated with a malfunction of the immune system, liver and other organs. The lack of adequate therapy leads to an aggravation of unpleasant symptoms and the spread of the pathological process over a large area. Although there are cases of spontaneous recovery.
To quickly restore the natural skin color, patients must undergo a comprehensive examination of the body and be constantly monitored by a dermatologist (if necessary, an immunologist, endocrinologist).
List of drugs used
Based on the results of the analyzes, preparations of the local and systemic mode of action are prescribed.
Glucocorticoids
Vitiligo can be cured with the help of hormonal agents - glucocorticoids. These drugs act directly on the immune system to help stop autoimmune processes.
With a localized form of the disease, glucocorticoids are used in the form of ointments:
With the generalized form of the disease, glucocorticoids are used in the form of tablets. They produce a systemic effect on the body, so they must be used strictly under the supervision of a physician. It adjusts the dosage of medications to avoid many side effects.
Photosensitizers
Many doctors prefer to treat vitiligo with photosensitizing agents. They act on melanocytes, making them more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. As a result, skin cells begin to produce pigments, which leads to the disappearance of depigmentation zones. These drugs are also called herbal furocoumarins, they include:
Other drugs
In the fight against vitiligo, other means are also used, the most popular of which are:
Uv lamp application
The therapy consists in the effect of ultraviolet radiation on the changed areas of the skin.
If type A rays are used during treatment, all patients are first prescribed a course of photosensitizing agents. This method is characterized by a high risk of side effects and complications - nausea, burning sensation, cataracts, and the appearance of carcinoma. Therefore, this method of treatment is prescribed less and less.
An excellent alternative is the use of ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of 310 nm. When using this method of therapy, it is not necessary to take photosensitizers. The risk of developing malignant tumors and other complications is minimal.
There is a risk of burns with each of the treatments, and the skin may become red and irritated. To eliminate such complications, special creams are used.
Laser therapy
To treat vitiligo, a laser with a specific wavelength is used. The therapy technique is effective only for a localized form of the disease, the development of which began no later than 5 years ago. 
Whitening
To hide a skin defect, special agents are injected into problem areas of the body. They help to even out skin tone. The most popular drugs in this group are called Monobenzone, Hydroquinone.
Due to the large number of side effects, such drugs are used strictly under the supervision of a physician.
Skin transplant
Vitiligo can be treated with surgery. From healthy areas to pathological areas, melanocytes are transferred, which are responsible for the production of melanin. They can also transplant the skin itself, but the method is fraught with various complications.
Photochemotherapy
It can be used as a local or systemic therapy. In the first case, special preparations are applied to the skin, after which they are exposed to ultraviolet light. Systemic therapy is used when 20% of the skin is affected. In this case, the patient takes a special drug, after which he is exposed to UVA.
Folk remedies
Vitiligo can be treated at home using some folk remedies.
Other methods
Other alternative treatments for vitiligo:
Treatment prognosis
The prognosis for vitiligo treatment is usually poor. The use of even the most modern methods of therapy is not able to completely get rid of light spots on the skin.... They only suspend the pathological process and prevent its progression.
You can prevent outbreaks of discolored spots by following a special diet, which implies following the principles of a healthy diet. The patient's diet must meet the body's need for all vitamins and minerals. Acceptance of alternative means is allowed (Protopik, Elidel).
How to mask spots
There are several ways to mask spots on the skin:
- The use of special cosmetics. An experienced beautician will help you choose a foundation and a foundation for makeup.
- Self-tanning. If you need to mask blemishes and not stain your skin, this is the recommended method.
- Dermabrasion. The skin undergoes resurfacing, which helps to even out its tone.
Vitiligo is not contagious. Contact with a sick person will not do any harm. Despite this, the pathology is accompanied by significant psychological discomfort, therefore, its treatment should not be postponed.
Vitiligo is a chronic skin pigmentation disorder, which is manifested by milky white spots of various sizes, prone to fusion. In addition to the skin, mucous membranes, hair, retina and brain membrane can change color. The reason is the cessation of the production of melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin and hair. Without causing physical discomfort, the disease worsens only the psychological state of a person.
The reasons
There is no clear answer to the question of what causes vitiligo. However, there are several theories on this score:
- The theory of self-destruction is the degeneration of melanocytes (cells that produce melanin) due to infections or exposure to toxins.
- Autoimmune - due to malfunctions in the body, melanocytes are perceived as foreign target cells and are attacked by the immune system.
- Biochemical disorders - a decrease in the production of the enzyme catalase, which is able to neutralize free radicals, leads to their accumulation in the skin and the destruction of melanocytes.
- Genetic - the vitiligo gene can be inherited.
Among the reasons for the appearance of vitiligo are the following:
- Disruption of the endocrine system - hormonal disruptions impair the formation of enzymes in melanocytes.
- Excessive stress on the nervous system - stress, depression, mental trauma disrupt the connection of organs and tissues with the central nervous system, and melanocytes may not receive commands to produce enzymes.
- Skin lesions - scars, burns (including sunburn), rubbing with clothes and shoes injure the layer of skin where melanocytes are located. In some cases, they are not restored.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - dysbacteriosis, intestinal invasions, chronic diarrhea syndrome change the chemical composition of the blood and cause a lack of trace elements necessary for the production of pigment.
- Exposure to chemicals - low quality cosmetics, formaldehyde, phenol and its compounds (used in the production of paints, rubber) are one of the most common causes of vitiligo. By affecting the cells of the epidermis, chemically aggressive substances disrupt their functioning.
- Decreased immunity - operations, infections, excessive physical activity can provoke the onset of vitiligo, especially in people with a predisposition.
Genetic predisposition - the disease is transmitted as a dominant feature, the probability of having a child with vitiligo from a sick parent is 50%. Even if the disease is due to trauma, it is fixed at the genetic level.
Symptoms
The disease develops according to a certain pattern:
- The appearance on the surface of the skin of a single spot of a rounded shape or with ragged edges, discoloration can occur gradually or over several hours.
- Hyperpigmentation around the spot - the lesion is surrounded by a rim of a darker color than healthy skin.
- The tendency to grow and merge - the spots grow and merge. The speed of the process depends on the individual characteristics of the organism.
- The location of the lesions is possible on any part of the skin, except for the palms and feet, where melanin is not contained. Mostly spots are formed on the face, on the bending surfaces of the limbs, in the armpits, on the buttocks, around scars, in places of frequent skin trauma.
- Symmetry - for unknown reasons, the spots on the left and right sides of the body try to take an identical position.
- Hair discoloration - inside the lesion, the hair follicles lose melanin, due to which the hair, both vellus and on the head, lose color. Early gray hair is typical for 30% of patients.
- Point foci in the form of a grid - their appearance is characteristic of the skin of the chest, genitals and inner thighs.
- Dysfunction of the sweat glands - the release of sweat in depigmented areas is difficult.
- Color stability under ultraviolet irradiation - the foci of the disease do not darken from exposure to the sun, although healthy skin around them does not lose the ability to tan.
Effects
The disease is not contagious and is not spread by contact. Vitiligo patients do not experience physical discomfort (itching, burning of the skin), however, the disease can lead to a number of psychological problems. People with lesions on their face avoid appearing in society, feel shame and self-doubt, and are in a stressful state.
Often, vitiligo is of a secondary nature, being only a manifestation of other diseases, for example, it indicates a malfunction of the thyroid gland, appearing several months before the first hormonal disruptions, or serves as a reaction to taking certain medications.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is made by a dermatologist. The procedure consists of several stages.
During the survey, it turns out:
- the presence of similar symptoms in relatives;
- hereditary predisposition;
- the possibility of autoimmune diseases;
- onset date and rate of development of the disease;
- exacerbations in the last 6 months;
- skin reaction to sunburn (for prescribing phototherapy).
Examination helps to distinguish vitiligo from other diseases by external signs:
- symmetry of spots (observed in 90% of cases);
- the shape of the foci (mostly they are round, only 10-15% are pointlike or have an irregular shape);
- the presence of a hyperpigmentation ring;
- absence of peeling, crusts or erosion (except for the addition of a secondary infection);
- discoloration of hair;
- the presence of spots around moles.
Wood's lamp (black lamp) emits ultraviolet rays and is used to detect depigmented lesions in those areas where the sun does not enter - under the hair, in the armpits, on the genitals. In the light of the lamp, the foci stand out with a bluish-white color.
A biopsy, when a piece of skin is taken with a scalpel from the center of the lesion and examined under a microscope, helps to reveal:
- absence of melanocytes - complete or partial;
- collagen fibers with changes;
- the presence of a large number of melanosomes (a component of melanocytes) in the rim.
Treatment
With the help of therapy, attempts are made to contain the disease, reduce its cosmetic manifestations and restore melanin production. An integrated approach is used to treat vitiligo.
Local treatment is carried out to reduce the size of spots, their uniform darkening. Includes the use of ointments and creams:
- corticosteroids that reduce the immune attack and restore pigmentation (Prednisolone, Betamethasone, Diprospan);
- calcineurin inhibitors that relieve inflammation and suppress the attack on melanocytes (Protopik, Elidel);
- photosensitizing agents that enhance the absorption of ultraviolet radiation (Melagenin, Psoralen).
Systemic drugs are used in the absence of a six-month local treatment result and with rapid progression of the disease:
- ingestion of immunosuppressants (Cyclosporin A, Levamisole, Isoprinosine, Cyclophosphamide);
- continuation of hormone therapy.
Physiotherapy procedures:
- Phototherapy - ultraviolet irradiation with medium wavelength type B, sometimes with the application of photosensitizing agents. The course lasts about a year and consists of sessions for 5-10 minutes 2 times a week.
- PUVA-therapy - long-spectrum UV irradiation, type A, together with the ingestion of photosensitizers 2-3 hours before the procedure (Ammoidin, Lamadin, Methoxaralen, Oxoralen, Puvalin, Trioxaralen). Sessions last 5-30 minutes and are held every other day. The effect is achieved by repeating the procedure 100-200 times.
- Laser therapy - aimed at activating the work of the preserved melanocytes. Improving metabolic processes in the skin promotes the production of enzymes responsible for the formation of melanin. Sessions of 30 minutes should be done 15-20 times.
Surgical treatment is carried out if conservative therapy is ineffective. It consists in the transplantation of cells from healthy areas of the skin to the affected, after which new melanocytes are formed in the deep layers of the epidermis. The pigmentation is restored in a few months.
Indications for the use of surgical techniques:
- the location of the lesions in open areas of the body, which causes psychological problems;
- lack of result from conservative treatment for 12 months;
- remission of the disease - the suspension of the formation of new spots and the growth of existing ones over the past 1-2 years;
- no contraindications - a tendency to scarring, intolerance to ultraviolet irradiation and laser therapy.
Among the side effects from surgery are possible: uneven pigmentation, scars, rejection of transplanted areas.
Diet
A balanced diet, which must include the intake of vitamins, zinc, copper, will help prevent the exacerbation of the disease. Foods recommended by nutritionists include:
- lean meat (rabbit, chicken), liver;
- fish and seafood (squid, shrimp);
- milk products;
- greens (parsley, celery, spinach);
- fruits and vegetables of red and orange colors, citrus fruits;
- seeds, nuts, bran;
- legumes, cereals.
It is advisable not to use:
- fatty meat and fish, rich broths;
- products containing preservatives, colors, flavors, sweeteners;
- sweets, flour products;
- coffee, strong tea, chocolate;
- carbonated drinks, alcohol.
Sometimes, adhering to a gluten-free diet also promotes healing.
In children
The onset of vitiligo in children under 5 years of age is usually associated with a slow adaptation of the immune system to environmental changes. Such spots do not require treatment and will go away over time. The exception is hereditary predisposition.
For treatment, drugs prescribed for adults are also suitable, but in smaller doses. Ultraviolet irradiation is possible in a limited manner, PUVA therapy is not applied to children. Diet is mandatory. Also, parents should pay special attention to the psycho-emotional state of children - often skin defects cause them fears and complexes.
Very often, vitiligo that occurs in childhood is reversible - you just need to create comfortable conditions for the body to recover, identifying and eliminating factors that disrupt the functioning of the immune or endocrine system. It is also necessary to avoid injury to the skin, protect it from cold and overheating, not to get carried away by excessive exposure to the sun.
During pregnancy
Vitiligo does not affect pregnancy or fetal development. However, foci of the disease can appear in pregnant women faster than in other people, arising in places of stretch marks.
Treatment (especially medication and laser therapy) is best postponed until the end of pregnancy and lactation. Cosmetics for masking spots should also be used with caution, after consulting a doctor. You should not get carried away with the methods of traditional medicine - many recipes include the use of components that can provoke allergic reactions or cause poisoning.
It is imperative that pregnant women consult a specialist - this will help determine whether vitiligo is an independent phenomenon or a consequence of another, more severe, disease.
Treatment with folk remedies
There are many recipes for normalizing melanocyte activity at home, but they should only be used after discussion with a doctor:
- tincture of mountain arnica - 20 grams of herb insist in 1 glass of boiling water for 30 minutes, divide the portion into 3 parts and take before meals during the day;
- decoction of wild rose berries - pour boiling water over the crushed fruits in a ratio of 1:10, boil, leave for several hours and drink 1 tablespoon before meals 2 times a day;
- nettle broth - boil 2 tablespoons of leaves for 2-3 minutes in 1 glass of water, strain and take 1 tablespoon orally before meals;
- marsh duckweed - add an equal amount of honey to the crushed raw materials, eat 1 teaspoon of the mixture 3 times a day; tincture of duckweed in a 1: 1 ratio with water, you can also rub stains;
- st. John's wort - immerse 1 tablespoon of leaves and flowers of a dried plant in 1 glass of boiling water for 30 minutes, strain and drink 1 tablespoon 3 times a day after meals for 3 weeks, then interrupt for 1 week, continue treatment for 5-6 months; for external use, pour the herb with vegetable oil in a ratio of 1:10, soak for 3 hours in a water bath, use for 1 month;
- sesame seeds - grind the grains in a coffee grinder, eat 1 teaspoon 2 times a day;
- rubbing with pepper - mix ground black pepper with soda in equal parts, rub into the centers of depigmentation;
- lubrication with birch tar - apply the product on the spots 2 times a day for a month, then take a break for 2 weeks and repeat the course.
One of the strangest and most unexplored phenomena in medicine today is, perhaps, the disease vitiligo, which occurs when the melanin pigment, which is responsible for the color of the skin, is destroyed. This disease is referred to as immune leukoderma. With the development of this pathology, some areas of the skin become colorless, which visually manifests itself in the form of white spots. The disease can develop regardless of age and can even occur in children.
Modern science and the highest technologies are not able to give answers to some questions related to vitiligo, for example, does the disease affect the internal organs of a person and what is the mechanism of development of the disease. What causes this pathological process and whether vitiligo can be cured will be discussed in this article.
The reasons for the development of this pathology
The disease is not congenital, but occurs in the course of a person's life. Many internal and external causes affect the development of vitiligo, but dark-skinned people are more susceptible to it.
The main provoking reasons are as follows:
- the development of autoimmune processes, that is, the defeat of healthy tissues of the body with antibodies;
- genetic predisposition;
- brown eyes (it has been scientifically proven that those with dark eyes have a higher risk of developing vitiligo than people with blue or green eyes);
- violation of the functionality of the endocrine system;
- dysfunction of the endocrine system;
- injuries affecting the skin, such as burns;
- prolonged exposure to aggressive sunlight;
- long-term medication intake;
- low quality cosmetics;
- exposure to the skin of aggressive chemicals;
- gastrointestinal diseases.
Read about whether vitiligo is contagious and how it is transmitted.
In addition to treatment, patients with vitiligo may need help at a psychological level, since this pathology has a depressing effect on the patient, causing a feeling of inferiority and depression.
Treatment of this disease
There are many methods of treating this pathology, but each of them takes a long period of time and does not guarantee the effect forever. Therefore, many people simply mask spots with foundation.
At the first manifestations of this disease, it is necessary to seek help from a qualified dermatologist working in a medical facility where vitiligo is treated. At the initial visit, the specialist carefully examines the patient and, as necessary, will take biomaterial samples for additional analyzes.
If you do not start timely treatment, then the pathology begins to progress. In addition, concomitant diseases begin to appear, which significantly complicate the treatment of vitiligo.
Is there a cure for vitiligo?
It is necessary to carefully approach the choice of drugs for the treatment of vitiligo. This can only be done by a doctor. Often, at the localized stage of the disease, the patient is prescribed corticosteroid drugs, which have an anti-allergenic effect and also eliminate autoimmune processes. Basically, these drugs are available in the form of creams and gels, and you can also use an ointment for vitiligo. If vitiligo has a generalized form, then pills are prescribed.
The complex of therapy includes the use of an ultraviolet lamp. In this regard, most drugs for the treatment of vitiligo have a photosensitizing effect.
The main objectives of systemic therapy are:
- stabilization of hormonal levels;
- normalization of the patient's psychological state and withdrawal from depression.
Innovative treatments for vitiligo
Laser therapyToday there are several little-known but effective methods of getting rid of vitiligo in addition to treatment with medicines and vitamins:
- laser therapy;
- whitening of the epidermis;
- surgical intervention;
- ultraviolet irradiation.
There are currently no medications used to treat vitiligo. However, this pathology is a consequence of dysfunctions of some mechanisms of the human body and it is these disorders that need to be treated. Often the doctor prescribes vitamin therapy, which replenishes the supply of macro- and microelements. A patient suffering from vitiligo should use vitamins containing riboflavin, thiamine, ascorbic and pantothenic acids, iron, and copper salts. After each meal, take one percent drops of copper sulfate solution. There is also a high efficiency of treatment with electrophoresis for discolored spots based on a 0.5% solution of copper sulfate.
Laser therapy for vitiligo
The effect of laser radiation on the affected areas will help to eliminate problem areas. Especially effective laser therapy helps in the initial stage of the development of pathology, the signs of which have appeared in the last five days.
To completely get rid of discolored spots on the skin, it is necessary to undergo several sessions of laser therapy. The duration of the procedure increases with each session. In the first stages of treatment, the procedure lasts a few seconds.
Whitening
Whitening the upper layers of the epidermis evens out skin tone and makes blemishes less visible. The whitening procedure consists of injecting a special preparation into the skin. Before making injections, you need to consult a doctor, as they have some contraindications and a number of side effects. The whitening procedure is expensive and requires repeated sessions.
Skin transplant for vitiligo
If the disease affects small areas of the epidermis, then doctors carry out surgery - healthy skin is transplanted to the affected areas. Despite the effectiveness of this method, there are risks that the transplanted skin is rejected and suppurating. In this regard, doctors do not guarantee a 100% result from surgical intervention. Today, scientists are working on the development of a special vaccine that stops autoimmune processes.
Photochemotherapy
The method of photochemotherapy consists in the use of special drugs that increase the level of sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. Pharmacists have developed such drugs in the form of tablets, ointments and solutions. The doctor prescribes one of these drugs to the patient and combines them with a procedure for exposing the skin to ultraviolet light. That is, the patient takes the medicine orally or applies the drug directly to the site of the disease, and after an hour or two this area of \u200b\u200bthe skin is irradiated with ultraviolet light. To get a positive effect from such treatment, you will need 3-4 procedures per week for a month. You will need several courses of photochemotherapy treatments, which are given at short intervals.
Contraindication to this method of treatment is the following:
- carrying a child;
- the presence of malignant tumors;
- the patient's age is less than 5 years old or more than 60 years old;
- the presence of diseases of the circulatory, cardiovascular, genitourinary, digestive systems.
It is worth noting that this method causes some side effects - nausea, vomiting, itching, blistering, increased pigmentation. The likelihood of developing skin cancer. However, the likelihood of a positive effect is tens of times higher than the risk of negative consequences.
To treat this pathology at home, an ultraviolet lamp 311 is used. The advantages of treating vitiligo with a 311 lamp has the following advantages:
- wide biological effect of ultraviolet radiation (the body's immune defense is activated, metabolism improves, the level of vitamin D production increases);
- does not require additional intake of photosensitizing drugs, which significantly affect the liver and kidneys;
- the likelihood of getting burns or scars is excluded;
- does not contribute to the development of cancer.
Vitiligo and the army - questions answered
Vitiligo - treatment with folk methods
Vitiligo on hands Vitiligo can also be cured at home. Over the years, adherents of traditional medicine have collected many effective remedies. How to treat vitiligo at home? The main component in most folk remedies for vitiligo is black cumin and St. John's wort.
Method number 1 - using St. John's wort oil
To get St. John's wort oil, you need to finely chop a fresh medicinal plant and place it in a clean jar, pour it with refined sunflower or any medicinal oil (for example, sea buckthorn or almond oil) and leave in a sunny place for two to three weeks. During this time, the jar needs to be shaken from time to time. The resulting solution has little effect. To obtain a highly effective remedy, only the inflorescences of the plant must be used to prepare St. John's wort oil.
Method number 2 - using black cumin oil
This oil is used internally and externally. For external use, before using black cumin oil, the skin must be prepared - wipe it with a cloth or a sponge dipped in vinegar. After applying the oil, you must stay in the sun.
For internal intake, a teaspoon of black seed oil is added to a glass of water and drunk.
Method number 3 - using black pepper
Black pepper contains piperine - a substance that effectively removes vitiligo and gives a special smell and taste to this spice. In order for black pepper to help in the fight against this pathology, it is necessary to mix it with baking soda in equal proportions. The resulting mixture must be rubbed into colorless spots on the skin. Over time, they will disappear and the skin will return to its normal color.
Method number 4 - using the ointment "Sulsen"
You can fix discolored spots at home with Sulsen ointment. The indication for the use of this remedy is the presence of dandruff and / or hair loss. However, the ointment is also effective for skin diseases. "Sulsena" is rubbed into the affected skin and after thirty minutes washed off with warm water. The first results will be noticeable after three or four procedures.
Method number 5 - using birch tar
You can buy this product at the pharmacy. The essence of the treatment of vitiligo with birch tar is that for a month it is applied to the affected areas of the skin. Then a break is made for two weeks and the course of treatment is resumed again.
Method number 6 - using apple cider vinegar
Apple vinegar There are two ways to treat skin discoloration with apple cider vinegar. When applied externally, they wipe the damaged areas of the skin until the effect is noticeable. To use apple cider vinegar inside, you need to prepare the following recipe: two teaspoons of bite and honey are stirred in a half full glass of water. You need to drink such a solution three times a day half an hour before meals.
Method number 9 - using walnuts
With the help of leaves and pericarp, walnuts allow you to mask colorless spots on the skin. They must be crushed and mixed in equal parts, placed in a container with dark glass and poured with vodka in a proportional ratio of 1 to 10. The container is placed in a cool and dark place for two weeks. After this time, the tincture is filtered, and then 1-2 times a day the stains are wiped with it. Before applying the tincture to the skin, a protective cream is applied to it. The course of treatment is several months.
Method number 10 - treatment of vitiligo with herbal mixture
Mix chopped sage, St. John's wort (4 tablespoons each), a string, calendula (3 tablespoons each), and oregano (2 tablespoons). Pour the resulting mixture into a thermos and pour boiling water (0.5 l). Insist for two hours, then strain and take three times a day half an hour before meals, half a glass. The course of treatment is 7-8 weeks.
Before you start treating vitiligo with folk remedies, you need to consult your doctor. If you neglect the advice of a specialist, you can aggravate the problem, since many folk remedies have contraindications or side effects.
Vitiligo treatment and vitamins
Vitamins with vitiligo are not able to independently cure this pathology. However, they can be used to enhance the effectiveness of the main therapy. To date, there is no special complex designed for patients with this diagnosis. In each individual case, doctors examine the patient and determine which vitamins are insufficient in his body.
There is a standard set of vitamins that a person with vitiligo can take. It includes B vitamins, as well as vitamins C and E (ascorbic, folic and pantothenic acids, tocopherol).
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The site provides background information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. A specialist consultation is required!
Vitiligo - a disease in which discolored areas appear on the skin, devoid of skin pigment-melanin. Patients do not experience the itching and burning sensation characteristic of other skin diseases. Vitiligo is not life threatening and does not cause serious complications. Based on this, some experts do not recognize that vitiligo is a disease. They consider white spots on the skin a sign of a violation of various processes in the body.Vitiligo spots are a fairly common problem. In different countries, 1-8% of the population live with this pathology. The disorder is more common in people with dark, melanin-rich skin. In Africa and South Asian countries, the number of patients exceeds 8%, while in Europe only about 1.5%.
The disease is equally common among men and women. The onset of the disease mainly occurs in young people, rarely after 40 years. In 20% of cases, the disease is inherited. A famous example is vitiligo in Michael Jackson and his eldest son.
From some doctors you can hear the verdict "vitiligo is not cured." This is not true. It is impossible to save a person from the tendency to appear spots, but it is possible to return the pigmentation in the damaged areas of the skin and its color will even out. It is necessary to be prepared for the fact that vitiligo is treated for a long time, the process can take from 6 months to several years. Moreover, in 5% of adults and 30% of children of patients, spontaneous self-healing occurs.
Anatomy of the skin
The skin is made up of three layers: superficial and deep and subcutaneous fat.
How melanin is produced
Pigment melanin provides coloring of skin, hair and iris. But its main function is to protect the nuclei of cells of the epidermis from the destructive effects of ultraviolet radiation. Melanin is produced in special cells melanocytes from the amino acid tyrosine, which comes from food and is synthesized in the liver. In order for tyrosine to turn into melanin, the presence of copper, zinc, iron and manganese, which are part of the enzymes that are involved in this process, is necessary.
Melanocyte has the appearance of a tree. Its "branches" transport the melanin contained in the organelles of the melanosome to the surrounding cells of the epidermis. The transport process is controlled by adrenocorticotropic hormone, melanostimulating hormone and exposure to sunlight.
Melanin secretion disorders can be associated with various factors:
- impaired blood circulation and nervous regulation in this area of \u200b\u200bthe skin;
- deficiency of copper, zinc and other trace elements;
- lack of adrenocorticotropic hormone of the anterior pituitary gland and melanostimulating hormone of the adrenal glands.
Vitiligo causes
There are several theories explaining the causes of vitiligo, but none of them has received convincing confirmation.
Contributing factors
- Stress - violate the innervation of the skin
- Chronic diseases of the endocrine glands - pituitary gland, adrenal glands, thyroid gland, pancreas, ovaries. Hormonal imbalance disrupts the production of enzymes in melanocytes.
- Sunburndamage the basal layer of the epidermis.
- Skin contact with chemicals leads to chemical and allergic damage to melanocytes.
- Frequent injuryand rubbing the skin - damage to the cells of the epidermis, which do not have time to recover.
- Worm infestation causes a disturbance in digestion and absorption of nutrients. At the same time, a malfunction of the immune system occurs. It manifests itself in a violation of the maturation of lymphocytes, which leads to the release of enzymes that damage melanocytes.
- Frequent infections - can provoke an immune failure and an autoimmune attack on melanocytes.
Comorbidities that often run parallel to vitiligo
- Diseases of the thyroid gland
- B12 deficiency anemia
Vitiligo symptoms
The main symptom of vitiligo - These are milky white or pale pink spots on the skin, less often on the mucous membranes. The initial stage of vitiligo characterized by the appearance of one or more small spots. The skin may discolor gradually over several months, when melanocytes stop functioning gradually. In some cases, spots appear suddenly, over several hours. Rarely, the appearance of a lesion is preceded by a slight itching or crawling feeling. Sometimes, before discoloration, the skin turns pink - "pink vitiligo".
With progression vitiligo spots increase in size up to 10 cm or more. In some patients, the loss of melanin occurs over the entire surface of the skin.
Characteristics of vitiligo spots:
Vitiligo classification
- By location of spots
- Localized form - spots are located on separate parts of the body. Less than 10% of patients.
- Generalized form - spots can be located anywhere. About 80% of cases.
- Universal form - over 80% of the body is covered with spots. In 10% of patients.
- By type of stains
- Tricolor - there is a zone of medium pigmentation between discolored and healthy skin.
- Four-color - three-color spot surrounded by a zone of hyperpigmentation.
- Blue - the spot has a bluish tint.
- Inflamed - the spot is surrounded by a rim of inflammation, raised above the skin.
Vitiligo stages
- Stable - after the first spot appears, it remains unchanged for several months or years.
- Progressive - there is an active or slow growth of spots and the appearance of new foci.
- Unstable - some spots grow, in other foci, repigmentation occurs, and they decrease or disappear.
Diagnosis of vitiligo
If you find white spots on your skin, you need to see a dermatologist. An experienced specialist has no difficulty in diagnosing vitiligo. The doctor can distinguish this pathology from simple and pityriasis versicolor, total albinism, psoriasis and neurodermatitis.The diagnosis of "vitiligo" is made on the basis of examination of the patient and history data. At the reception, the doctor asks a number of questions:
- When did the spots appear?
- What preceded their appearance?
- How quickly does the disease progress?
- Do you feel itching and burning?
- Does the patient suffer from autoimmune and rheumatoid diseases?
Inspection with a Wood lamp
Using this lamp, you can see those foci that are not visible under normal lighting. This helps to predict the course of the disease in the future.The lamp is made of black glass and emits a faint ultraviolet light. Type A fluorescent rays cause a blue glow of vitiligo spots.
Vitiligo treatment
There is no universal drug that would effectively relieve the manifestations of the disease. Vitiligo treatment has two main areas:- elimination of cosmetic defects;
- complex therapy aimed at eliminating changes in the body that could lead to the development of the disease.
Vitiligo medication
Systemic drug therapy for vitiligo| Group of drugs | The mechanism of therapeutic action | Representatives | Mode of application |
| Systemic corticosteroids | Suppress the immune attack on melanocytes. May be effective in the autoimmune nature of vitiligo. They are used to a limited extent due to the large number of side effects. | Prednisone | The dose is set individually. Usually start with 20 mg per day (4 tablets) in divided doses. The dose is gradually reduced to 5 mg per day (1 tablet). |
| Betamethasone | The initial dose is 1-2.5 mg, the maintenance dose is 0.5-1.5 mg. The daily dose is taken 1 time per day in the morning, which corresponds to the biological rhythms of hormone secretion. | ||
| Antimalarial drugs | They accumulate in melanocytes, have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and photoprotective effects, and protect against the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation. Suppresses the formation of free radicals. Due to the large number of side effects, it is necessary to monitor blood counts. | Hydroxychloroquine | 400 mg / day by mouth with a meal with a glass of milk. Duration of treatment is 2-3 weeks. |
| Chloroquine diphosphate | 200 mg / day. The method and duration of administration are the same. | ||
| Immunomodulators | It is taken to reduce the immune attack on melanocytes. The drugs have a toxic effect and reduce resistance to infections, therefore they are prescribed in exceptional cases. | Cyclosporin A | The dose of the drug should be selected by a physician who has sufficient experience in working with immunosuppressants. |
| Polyoxidonium | |||
| Drugs affecting hepatic metabolism | They contain phospholipids, which are similar to those of liver cells. Taking these drugs helps to restore the organ and improve its function. | Silibinin (Karsil) | The first 2 weeks, 2 capsules 3 times a day. The next 2 months, 1 capsule 3 times a day. It is taken with food without chewing. |
| Essentiale | |||
| Digestive enzyme aids | Compensate for the lack of digestive juices, improves digestion and absorption of nutrients. | Enzistal | 1-2 tablets during or immediately after meals. Duration of admission - up to several years. |
| Creon | 5-10 thousand units each. Swallow the capsules without chewing with each meal. | ||
| Vitamin preparations | Improves metabolic processes and cellular nutrition. Normalize the production of enzymes in skin cells and protect melanocytes from free radical damage. Improves skin regeneration. | Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) | 50-70 mg per day for 2-3 doses. |
| Thiamin (vitamin B1) | 1.2 mg per day by mouth after meals. Course 30 days. | ||
| Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) | 1.5-2 mg per day after meals for 1-2 months. | ||
| Folic acid (vitamin B9) | 200 mcg per day orally after meals for 20-30 days. | ||
| Vitamin E (tocopherol acetate) | 50-100 mg per day. 1 capsule for 30-40 days. | ||
| Trace elements: preparations of zinc and iron | Trace elements are necessary for the production of enzymes that are involved in the synthesis of melanin and its transport to neighboring cells. | Zincovital | 2-3 tablets per day. Suck in the mouth after eating. |
| Zinc sulfate | 0.1 g 2-3 times a day. Take after meals for 2 months. Do not use simultaneously with copper preparations. | ||
| Iron glycerophosphate | 1 g 3-4 times a day with ascorbic acid. | ||
| 0.5-1% copper sulfate solution | 5-15 drops 3 times a day with meals. | ||
| Photosensitizers | Increases sensitivity to ultraviolet light, stimulates the production of melanin. | Beroxan | 1 tablet 4 times a day. |
| Psoralen | 1 tablet 2 times a day. |
In practice, systemic therapy is not often used due to the large number of side effects, which are often more dangerous than vitiligo.
Topical Vitiligo Treatments
| Group | The mechanism of therapeutic action | Vitiligo ointments and creams | Mode of application |
| Corticosteroid ointments | These products contain steroid hormones. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and anti-allergic effect. Reduces the activity of inflammatory mediators. Parallel use of photosensitizing drugs is desirable. | Ftorocort | Apply in a thin layer without rubbing 2-3 times a day. Duration of treatment is up to 2 weeks. |
| Polcortolone | |||
| Calcineurin inhibitors | Suppress the action of calcineurin, a substance that is involved in the development of the inflammatory response. Reduce the activity of T-lymphocytes responsible for the immune attack. Considered less effective for vitiligo than corticosteroids. | Elidel | Apply to the affected areas 2-3 times a day. The duration of treatment is not limited. |
| Protopicus | 0.1% ointment is applied 2 times a day - every 12 hours. 0.03% ointment is used to treat vitiligo in children. | ||
| Melanin synthesis stimulants | Stimulates the production of melanin in melanocytes. | Lotion Melagenin Plus Contains 50% alcoholic extract of the human placenta | Apply with your fingers to the depigmentation lesions once a day. After a week, the skin turns pink, then melanin is formed. Do not use in conjunction with corticosteroids and psoralens. |
| Hydrogel Vitiskin | Apply to affected areas 2 times a day. It is desirable to combine with irradiation with an ultraviolet type B lamp. | ||
| De-pigmentation products | Whiten the surrounding skin. Used for extensive lesions in excess of 70%, when there is no point in restoring pigmentation. | 20% monobenzone ether or Monobeson ointment (Benoquin) | Apply to the painted areas 2-3 times a day. Lightening of the skin occurs after 3-4 months of use. Avoid sunbathing during treatment. |
| Concealer | Used to stain vitiligo spots. They contain dyes that give the skin a natural color for a long time. | Gel Viticolor | Apply with a special brush in a circular motion from center to edge. Do not wash off within 8 hours. Repeat the procedure in 6-8 days. |
| Drula Pigment Cream | Apply the cream 2 times a day on vitiligo spots. |
Physiotherapy vitiligo
1. PUVA therapy - combined treatment of vitiligo, including ultraviolet irradiation of the skin and the use of photosensitizers. The drugs are taken orally and applied to the skin in the form of lotions and ointments. After a few hours, the skin is irradiated with a mercury-quartz lamp. In the summertime, it is permissible to replace the UV lamp with exposure to the sun.Properties - these drugs increase the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet light and thus stimulate the formation of melanin during irradiation. At the same time, the immune system is suppressed and the division of cells in the epidermis slows down.
Irradiation scheme
Drugs used in PUVA therapy
| A drug | Mode of application |
| Beroxan | By 1 beroxan tablet(0.02 g) 4 times a day. On the first day, take 12 hours before irradiation with an UFO lamp or sunlight. The interval is gradually reduced to 1 hour. Simultaneously with taking the drug, 0.5% is applied to the foci beroxan solution... The first days it is bred 1:10. The concentration is gradually increased 1: 8, 1: 5, bringing to a pure solution. Sunbathing is taken from 9 to 11 hours. The first day starts with 2 minutes. Every next day add 1 minute. |
| Psoralen (oxoralen ) | Inside - Psoralen tablets... Take 30 minutes before meals. The initial dose is 0.005 g 2 times a day. Each week it is increased by 0.01 g, gradually bringing to 0.06 g per day. The drug is taken with food or milk. It helps reduce the side effects of nausea, lack of appetite, and abdominal pain. Outwardly rubbed in 0.1% psoralen solution daily or every other day. The first week it is applied at night on the eve of irradiation. The exposure time is gradually reduced to 1 hour. |
| Meladinin | Inside Meladinin tablets - 1-2 tablets daily after meals. Meladinin solution - outwardly daily or 2 times a week. The foci are smeared with an alcohol solution 1: 5 or 1: 3, or clean. An hour after applying the product, the skin is irradiated with erythemal doses of ultraviolet radiation. |
Attention! To prevent cataracts for 8-12 hours after taking photosensitizers in pills, you must wear sunglasses. They protect the retina from UV damage.
Contraindications to PUVA therapy
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- malignant skin neoplasms
- cataract
- severe stage of heart, pulmonary and renal failure
- childhood
- individual intolerance to photosensitizers
2. Therapy with narrow-wave lamps,emitting ultraviolet light of a narrow beam spectrum with a wavelength of 311-312 nm. During treatment, the patient does not take photosensitizers. Treatment sessions are very short, from a few seconds to 2 minutes. This minimizes the side effects associated with conventional UV lamps. By efficiency vitiligo therapy with narrow wavelength lamps is comparable to PUVA therapy.Properties - increases sensitivity to ultraviolet light and stimulates the production of melanin. Reduces the attack of immune cells and antibodies on melanocytes. Reduces the production of inflammatory mediators.
Contraindications
- lupus erythematosus
- acute infectious diseases
- chronic diseases in the stage of decompensation
3. Excimer laser - high concentration ultraviolet light beam. There are 2 types of lasers used to treat vitiligo: - red - wavelength 0.67 μm
- infrared - wavelength 0.89 μm
Properties - accelerates metabolic processes in the cells of the epidermis, stimulates the activity of melanocytes and the production of an enzyme. When exposed to a laser, changes occur in the cytoplasm, which improve the formation of enzymes involved in the production of melanin. Some studies show a decrease in cellular immunity when using a laser, which entails a decrease in the attack of immunity on melanocytes.
Contraindications
- neoplasms in the irradiated areas
- active tuberculosis
- decompensated diabetes
- stage 3 pulmonary and heart failure
Surgical treatment of vitiligo
Vitiligo surgery based on the transfer of functioning melanocytes to depigmented areas.There are several directions in the surgical treatment of vitiligo
- Flap autoplasty - transplantation of healthy skin epidermis to the depigmented area. Before transplantation, the graft is treated with ultraviolet light to improve engraftment.
- Autologous mini transplants - micrografts are transplanted onto the depigmentation foci. These are areas of the epidermis a few square millimeters in size, taken from the healthy skin of the same patient. Subsequently, they stimulate the production of pigment in the surrounding melanocytes.
- Transplantation of cultured epidermis. Under laboratory conditions, a graft is grown from the patient's cells, which will be transplanted to the place of the depigmented one.
- Transplantation cultured and uncultured melanocytes... Individual melanocytes of the patient are planted in the epidermis of the focus. They are taken from healthy skin areas or grown in a laboratory.
- Vitiligo lesions where pigmentation cannot be restored by other methods.
- The spots are located on the face and other exposed areas of the body and cause psychological discomfort in the patient.
- Lack of spot growth for at least 2 years.
- Vitiligo white spots are resistant to conservative treatment (UV radiation and laser).
- Scarring.
- Cobblestone effect - uneven pigmentation.
- The phenomenon of cobnerization - the immune system perceives any damage to the skin as an injury and responds with an exacerbation of the disease.
- Failed transplant - implant rejection.
- Acupuncture is classic - the impact on reflex points located on the body.
- Zhen-chiu therapy - a combination of acupuncture and moxibustion points.
- Sujok - impact on the reflex points of the feet and hands.
- Auripuncture - stimulation of the reflex points of the auricle.
- В1 - meat, nuts, cereals, yeast, rye bread
- B2 - eggs, dairy products, meat, whole grain products
- B3 - dairy products, seafood, eggs, legumes, potatoes
- B6 - organ meats, fish, brown rice, soybeans, oil
- B9 - animal liver, whole grains, green vegetables
- B12 - meat, liver, poultry, milk
- spicy dishes
- fatty, fried, smoked
- industrial canned food
- mayonnaise and other sauces (horseradish, mustard, ketchup)
- margarine, butter with vegetable fats
- sour fruits and berries - cranberries, lemons
- pastry with cream
- coffee, strong tea
- alcohol
- immaturity of the endocrine and nervous system;
- skin trauma;
- diseases of the endocrine glands, especially the pituitary-adrenal system and the thyroid gland;
- malabsorption in bowel diseases;
- autoimmune diseases leading to damage to melanocytes;
- hereditary disease.
- Rounded or irregularly shaped foci of pale pink or white color with clear boundaries.
- Discoloration of hair inside lesions. On fresh stains, the hair retains its original color.
- The spots are located around the eyes, mouth, arms and legs, around the genitals.
- The skin of the lesions is clean, without scales, crusts and rashes. Their appearance indicates the addition of a secondary infection.
- Within the spots, there may be foci of hyperpigmentation that resemble freckles. Their presence often indicates the restoration of melanocytes.
- 3 or more spots of depigmentation on different parts of the body. Each spot is at least 10 cm in size.
- 2 or more lesions on the face with a diameter of at least 3 cm each.
"Vitiligo before and after photos" will help to assess the effectiveness of surgical treatment.
Indications
Traditional methods of treating vitiligo
1. Acupuncture - the introduction of needles into reflex points, helps to normalize the processes taking place in the body, eliminating the cause of the disease. There is no scientific evidence for the effectiveness of this method, so it is classified as an unconventional treatment. However, reviews of vitiligo indicate that in a large number of patients it was possible to stop the progression of the disease and cause the spots to develop back.Vitiligo treatment requires at least 10 sessions. The effectiveness of the method largely depends on the professionalism and experience of the reflexologist.
2. Herbal medicine - the use of medicinal plants that stimulate the production of pigment and improve the functioning of the body as a whole. 
Nutrition for vitiligo (diet)
Nutrition for vitiligo is an additional condition for recovery. The diet has several goals:
The menu includes products that are a source of nutrients.
1. Ascorbic acid - rose hips, bell peppers, cherries, sea buckthorn, black currants, dill, wild garlic, kiwi, strawberries, citrus fruits.
2. Vitamins of group B
4. Iron - beef, pork, horse meat, herbs, especially parsley, bran, cabbage, yeast, chocolate, oatmeal.
5. Zinc - oysters, meat, fish, liver, eggs, chicken hearts, sesame seeds, pine nuts, peanuts, plant seeds (pumpkin, sunflower), cereals.
6. Iodine - baked potatoes, prunes, sea fish, seaweed, turkey breast, cheese, eggs, bananas, strawberries.
7. Chrome - sea fish, river carp, shrimps, liver, duck meat, beets.
8. Manganese - nuts, mushrooms, liver, garlic, leafy vegetables.
9. Photodynamic substances - parsnip leaves, nettle, sorrel, celery, parsley and spinach, buckwheat, figs and rose hips.
10. The amino acid tyrosine, from which melanin is synthesized - pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, almonds, beans, bananas, avocados, dairy products.
Exclude from the diet:
Vitiligo in children
Vitiligo in children the most common skin pigmentation disorder. 25% of patients with vitiligo are children under 10 years of age. Many doctors consider this pathology in children as a temporary phenomenon that does not require treatment. The disease can occur at any age, but vitiligo does not occur in newborns. They have white spots on the skin of other pathologies.
Causes of vitiligo in childrenremain not fully understood. Possible development factors include:
Symptoms of Vitiligo in Children
Diagnosis of vitiligo in children
The doctor can easily make a diagnosis based on examination with a Wood's lamp.Vitiligo treatment in childrenaimed at restoring the normal functioning of the body.
| Group of drugs | Mechanism of action | Representatives | Mode of application |
| Copper preparations | Copper salts activate the enzyme tyrosinase, which ensures the formation of melanin. | 0.1% copper sulfate solution | 3-10 drops 3 times a day after meals for 1-2 months. |
| Zinc preparations | Zinc is part of the enzymes that provide the vital activity of melanocytes. Normalizes the immune system. | Zincteral | Children over 4 years old take 1 tablet per day. Duration of treatment is 1-2 months. |
| Iron preparations | Iron is an important part of enzymes and hemoglobin. Supplemental iron intake improves skin nutrition and promotes pigment synthesis. | Iron glycerophosphate | 0.3-0.5 g 2-3 times a day. It is taken with ascorbic acid after meals. Duration of treatment is 3-6 months. |
| B vitamins - B3, B6, B12. | Vitamins are the building blocks of enzymes. They also play the role of antioxidants - they normalize redox processes in cells. Protect them from free radical damage. Improves the condition and functioning of the nervous system. B12 improves skin condition. | B3 (nicotinic acid) | 0.005-0.03 g 2-3 times a day after meals. Duration of treatment is 3 weeks. |
| B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) | 0.01-0.02 grams per day after meals. Desirable at the same time cyanocobalamin and folic acid. The course of treatment is 4-6 weeks. | ||
| AT 12 ( cyanocobalamin) | 15-30 mcg every other day intramuscularly or subcutaneously for 3-4 weeks. | ||
| Vitamin C | Normalizes redox processes, vascular permeability and immune function. | Vitamin C | 0.05-0.1 g 1-2 times a day for 2-3 weeks. |
| Furocoumarin compounds together with UFO | Increases sensitivity to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. | Beroxan | 0.02 g 1 - 4 times a day. The technique is described above. The dosage of drugs is selected according to the age of the child. PUVA therapy is contraindicated in children under 5 years of age. |
The main treatment for vitiligo in children is Narrow Band UV Therapy... According to research carried out Russian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education in 6% of treated children, remission (disappearance of spots) occurs, and improvement (reduction of the affected area) in 78% of children. While drug treatment was effective in 60% of children, there was no complete remission in the study group.
Most pediatric dermatologists believe that the treatment of vitiligo for children under 4 years of age is not advisable, since at an early age there is a high percentage of self-healing.
Is vitiligo taken to the army?
The category of the conscript's suitability is determined by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of 04.07.2013 N 565 "On approval of the Regulations on military medical examination". "Schedule of diseases" Article 62 paragraph D states that patients with a widespread form of vitiligo are exempted from conscription with the wording "limited».Symptoms of the common form:
