Vitiligo Treatment
Surgery for vitiligo is useful in resistant areas and residual lesions.
The choice of surgical treatment depends on type of the vitiligo, extent and site of lesions, the availability of equipment and expertise of the treating surgeon. Sometimes, more than one procedure may be required.
Currently available methods are classified as grafting and non grafting techniques. The grafting techniques, which are the more commonly used, include both tissue grafts and the more recent cellular methods.
The causes of vitiligo are unknown, but it doesn’t appear to be an inherited disease. Most patients with vitiligo don’t have a family history of such conditions. However, a family history of such a condition increases the chances of developing vitiligo.
It is believed that vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, wherein the body’s immune system attacks the skin cells. This autoimmune disorder may be the root cause of vitiligo in some people.
Vitiligo is neither contagious nor life-threatening. However, it can be life-altering and all-consuming because some people develop problems like low self-esteem and other psychological problems.
Vitiligo is a sort of genetic skin disorder that results in white patches on the skin. It can develop at any stage of your life and is progressive.
Moreover, these vitiligo patches are more noticeable in people with dark skin. People with vitiligo patches are seen more stressed because of low self-esteem, social stigma, and shame.
Vitiligo treatment can be done in the following ways:
• Cream for the affected skin to correct pigmentation such as anti-inflammatory steroid creams.
• Medicines such as calcineurin inhibitors.
• The latest and effective way to treat vitiligo is through a laser therapy called “Narrowband Ultraviolet-B Phototherapy”. It is also known as NB-UVB therapy.: Note: NBUVB therapy is referred to, for large body areas. For small body areas, Excimer lasers are used.
