Vitiligo

What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder characterized by loss of pigment cells in the skin. "Auto immune" means that the body is recognizing its own cells as foreign cells and is destroying them.

​

How do I confirm vitiligo?

Vitiligo can be diagnosed in 3 ways -

- Clinical examination

- Wood's lamp examination

- Skin biopsy

​

I have a few white patches on my hands. Will it spread?

Unfortunately, it is difficult to predict the behavior of the disease. It varies from patient to patient. However, with early treatment and regular follow up, you can prevent it from spreading.

​

What are the treatment options for vitiligo?

Dermatologists at Twacha Skin and Hair Clinic plan the treatment for vitiligo taking into consideration the type, extent, spread of disease and other factors.

Options are -

- Topical medications

- Oral medications

- UVB light treatment or phototherapy

​

How long does it take for the color to come back?

It is not possible to predict the duration of time taken for re-pigmentation. However, patches on hands and feet, lips and penis can take longer or may not completely re-pigment at all. Vitiligo surgeries may help in such cases.

​

Is there any method of hiding my patches on visible areas?

Yes. There are camouflage creams available to hide the patches on visible areas. Please ask your doctor for details.

​

Can I do surgeries to get the color back?

Yes. There are different types of vitiligo surgeries to aid in re-pigmentation. Please discuss with your doctor for further information.