TDC Health News

Vitiligo is a disease that results in loss of color to the skin, mucous membranes and hair. With a course that is hard to predict, vitiligo can result in large areas of color loss or only affect limited areas. It can develop at any age, but normally presents before age 20. Vitiligo affects all races, but it is more noticeable in people of color due to the contrast between normal dark skin and the affected white patches.

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, which means one's own immune system is causing the problem, and it can be associated with other autoimmune disease such as thyroid disease, anemia, etc. When the immune system targets the pigment producing cells (called melanocytes), these cells die off leaving white or depigmented areas. The affected areas can itch or have redness, but normally the disease is asymptomatic.

The cause of vitiligo is unknown and can occur in families, which is often seen with autoimmune diseases. Diagnosis is usually made on physical exam alone but sometimes a skin biopsy is necessary and lab work may be suggested to look for other autoimmune diseases. Treatment can include various over-the-counter vitamins and supplements that either reduce autoimmunity or clean out toxins from the disease such as vitamins E or C, alpha-lipoic acid or ginkgo biloba. Make sure to talk with a doctor before starting these products.

Topical medications to reduce the inflammation such as topical steroids or non-steroid topical drugs like tacrolimus or pinecrolimus can help repigment the skin. Sun protection with clothing and sunscreens help keep the depigmented skin from burning and developing skin cancer, but artificial light therapy in a doctor's office is used to help repigment the skin. Oral steroids and other oral drugs to reduce the immune system may be suggested in aggressive or wide-spread cases. Surgical options including small skin grafts to repigment the skin are offered at referral centers. Concealing the affected skin with self-tanning creams and lotions or make-up is also an option. Therapy is usually a long-term process and repigmentation can often take years to accomplish, so support from family members and a disease support group is helpful.