Vitiligo

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Vitiligo

Vitiligo, drug induced

Vitiligo on the back and arm

Vitiligo on the face

Vitiligo is difficult to treat. Early treatment options include the following:

• Exposure to intense ultraviolet light, such as narrow-band UVB therapy
• Oral medications, such as trimethylpsoralen (Trisoralen)
• Topical (on the skin) medications
  • Repigmenting agents such as methoxsalen (Oxsoralen)
  • Immunosuppressants such as pimecrolimus (Elidel) and tacrolimus (Protopic)
  • Corticosteroid creams

Skin may be grafted or removed from normal areas and placed into areas of pigment loss. In the future, skin pigment cells may be grown in the laboratory and used to treat areas of vitiligo.

Several manufacturers produce cover-up makeup or skin dyes to mask vitiligo. Ask your health care provider for the names of these companies.

In extreme cases when most of the body is affected, the remaining pigmented skin may be de-pigmented. This is a permanent change and is a last resort.

It is important to remember that skin without pigment is extremely susceptible to the sun's damaging effects. Be sure to apply a high-SPF sunblock and use appropriate safeguards against sun exposure.

• VitiligoSupport.com, www.vitiligosupport.com
• American Vitiligo Research Foundation,www.avrf.org
• National Vitiligo Foundation, www.nvfi.org

The course of vitiligo varies. Some areas may regain pigmentation (coloring), but other new areas may appear. Loss of pigment may be progressive.

Depigmented areas are more likely to sunburn or develop certain skin cancers. Vitiligo is associated with three systemic diseases: 1) pernicious anemia, 2) hyperthyroidism, and 3) Addison's disease.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop areas of skin that lose their coloring.

Review Date: 07/27/2006
Reviewed By: Shlomit Halachmi, MD, PhD, Private Practice Specializing in Dermatology, Somerville, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.