Pinoy MD: Is there a cure for vitiligo?
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Can vitiligo be cured? 'Pinoy MD' learns more about this skin condition with the help of dermatologist Dra. Grace Beltran.
Vitiligo is a non-contagious skin condition that is defined by patches of discoloration or depigmentation.
Though vitiligo can affect any race or ethnicity, it tends to be most noticeable in people with darker skin like Canadian fashion model Winnie Harlow and most notably, American singer Michael Jackson.
Given the effect on a person's appearance, pigment loss can really impact a person's quality of life.
Vitiligo occurs when there's a loss of melanocytes, the cell responsible for producing melanin or pigment of the skin, or an absence of their function.
Histologically, having less melanin in the skin results in white depigmented patches and are classified into two types.
The first one is non-segmental which is the most common among any age group and occurs at various locations that are mirrored on both sides of the body.
The second one is segmental which affects children and occurs only on one side of the body.
The exact cause of vitiligo remains unknown but researchers conclude that it is linked to both genetic and environmental triggers.
For non-segmental vitiligo, it happens when immune cells attack the melanocytes. While segmental vitiligo may be affected by external trauma like a cut, abrasion, or burn, which is known as the “Koebner Phenomenon.”
So is there a cure for vitiligo?
When the affected area is small, cosmetic cover-up and topic immune-suppressants can be applied to the skin.
However, when the affected area is large, systemic immune-suppressants, UV phototherapy, skin bleaching, and skin grafts can be tried.
Whatever the course of therapy, sunscreen is definitely recommended to prevent darkening of the skin areas immediately surrounding the areas and to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
For more information on vitiligo watch this video from Pinoy MD with the help of dermatologist Dra. Grace Beltran.
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