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Vitiligo is a disorder that causes skin to lose pigmentation, leaving spots of lighter skin tone. Vitiligo patches form when melanocytes in the skin are damaged. Melanocytes are the cells that produce melanin. Some folks develop several spots. Others experience more broad colour loss. The discoloured spots frequently become bigger over time. The disorder can damage skin wherever on the body. It can also have an effect on the hair and inside of the mouth. Board-certified dermatologists in Bangalore diagnose vitiligo after analysing your medical history and inspecting your skin. Our well-trained dermatologists at Vitiligo Clinic, Manipal Hospitals provide you with advanced therapies to halt the discolouration process and restore colour to your skin. Consult our Top Vitiligo Hospital in India for the best treatment and care for vitiligo.
There is no complete cure for Vitiligo; however, certain therapies and surgeries can decrease the visibility of the condition. Our Vitiligo Clinic houses top dermatologists in Bangalore who utilise innovative technology for all treatments.
Vitiligo Clinic - Manipal Hospitals is a great option for the following reasons:
Our dermatologists are experts in vitiligo and pigmentary disorders for specialised treatment.
Comprehensive treatment options include topical therapies, light treatments, surgery, and more.
Advanced diagnostics and treatments for optimal outcomes.
Holistic care approach that includes counselling, support groups, and patient education.
Actively involved in clinical trials and cutting-edge treatments.
Advocacy and awareness programs supporting vitiligo patients.
Consult our plastic surgeons in India if you need treatment for vitiligo.
Vitiligo is an acquired, persistent illness marked by epidermal depigmentation or melanin destruction/loss. Melanocytes, or skin cells, are responsible for creating melanin, the chemical that provides the skin its colour. The occurrence of two colours on the skin surface is the primary source of stress for vitiligo patients. The treatment's goal is to restore the skin's natural colour. Vitiligo can have a negative impact on children's and adults' quality of life due to its cosmetic effects.
Vitiligo may lead to conditions like:
Sensitive skin
Predisposition to autoimmune conditions
Emotional challenges
Look out for the below signs and symptoms of vitiligo:
White patches on skin: Often on sun-exposed areas
Premature greying: Scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or beard
Loss of colour: Inside mouth, nose, and retina
Discolouration: Around eyes, nostrils, mouth, and navel
Rapid spread: Patches can spread quickly or remain stable
Symmetrical patches: Often appear symmetrically on both sides of the body
Itching: Occasionally, affected areas may feel itchy
Sun sensitivity: Affected areas may be more prone to sunburn
Changes in eye colour: Less common, but possible in severe cases
Psychological impact: Emotional distress or low self-esteem due to appearance changes
Effective screening protocols for vitiligo aim to identify the condition early, assess its extent, and determine appropriate treatment strategies.
Visual Examination: The diagnosis process begins by visually inspecting the vitiligo patches. Dermatologists generally advise a Wood lamp examination test.
Dermatoscopy: It is a noninvasive technology that can help doctors diagnose pigmented spots more accurately. Using this technique, dermatologists may closely inspect and differentiate vitiligo patches from other skin disorders.
Skin Biopsy (if needed): Small skin samples may be biopsied for microscopic confirmation of vitiligo.
Patient History and Physical Examination: Furthermore, dermatologists do a comprehensive examination of the patient's medical history and present condition. The vitiligo's cause, course, and any possible causes or aggravating factors may all be thoroughly investigated by your doctor.
There are numerous therapies utilised for repigmentation, ranging from topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors to narrowband ultraviolet and surgical procedures.
1. Topical Corticosteroids
Topical corticosteroids are commonly prescribed medications for vitiligo treatment. These medications work by reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune response in the skin. Here's how they are used:
Mechanism of Action: Corticosteroids suppress immune cells attacking melanocytes, aiding pigment restoration.
Types: Prescribed in various strengths (creams or ointments) tailored to patch severity and location.
Application: Applied once or twice daily directly to affected skin areas.
Effectiveness: Gradually restore pigment with consistent use over weeks to months.
Side Effects: Possible skin thinning, stretch marks (especially on sensitive areas like the face), and mild irritation may occur.
2. Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors
Topical calcineurin inhibitors, such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel), are another type of medication used in vitiligo treatment. They work differently than corticosteroids:
Mechanism of Action: Modulates the skin's immune response without causing skin thinning or corticosteroid-related side effects.
Indication: Ideal for sensitive areas like the face, neck, or genitals, where corticosteroids may not be suitable.
Application: Applied directly to vitiligo patches twice daily.
Effectiveness: Promotes repigmentation by encouraging melanocyte function and migration to depigmented areas.
Side Effects: Generally, Topical calcineurin inhibitors are well-tolerated. In some cases, it can cause mild burning or irritation. However, it decreases over time.
3. Combination Therapy
In some cases, top dermatologists in Bangalore may recommend combining both corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors to enhance treatment efficacy.
Light therapy, or phototherapy, is a common and effective treatment option for vitiligo. Here's an overview of how it works and its benefits
Types of Light Therapy
Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB): This involves exposure to ultraviolet B light with a specific wavelength range (around 311-312 nanometers). NB-UVB is the most widely used phototherapy for vitiligo due to its effectiveness and safety profile.
PUVA (Psoralen plus UVA): In PUVA therapy, patients take a photosensitising medication called psoralen before exposure to UVA light. This combination helps stimulate melanocyte activity and repigmentation.
Mechanism of Action
Stimulation of Melanocytes: Both NB-UVB and PUVA therapy work by stimulating melanocyte production and migration to depigmented areas of the skin.
Immunomodulation: Light therapy also modulates the immune response in the skin, potentially reducing autoimmune attacks on melanocytes.
Treatment Procedure
Frequency: Sessions typically start a few times weekly and gradually decrease as pigmentation improves.
Duration: Each session lasts a few minutes, depending on the type of light therapy and the individual's skin response.
Duration of Treatment: Several weeks to months may be required to achieve noticeable repigmentation, depending on the extent and severity of vitiligo.
Benefits
Effectiveness: Significant repigmentation is often achieved, especially when combined with other treatments.
Safety: Generally safe under medical supervision, with minimal side effects.
Accessibility: Conveniently available in dermatology clinics and hospitals for widespread patient access.
Side Effects
Temporary redness, itching, and dryness of the skin may occur.
Skin may become more sensitive to sunlight.
Pigmentation changes or darkening of treated areas.
Long-term risks like photoaging and skin cancer are very low with appropriate precautions.
Depigmentation Therapy
Depigmentation therapy aims to eliminate skin pigmentation. When someone has extensive but incomplete vitiligo on their face or other areas, depigmentation therapy is undertaken in an effort to improve their appearance.
The most popular depigmenting agent is monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone. Combination therapy or alternative medications may be attempted if the patient is unable to deal with MBEH or if the medication is not successful. Depigmentation therapy may be used to manage the condition if the vitiligo is more than 50% of the body's surface area.
Considerations
Permanent Effects: Depigmentation therapy permanently lightens the treated skin areas and is irreversible.
Side Effects: Potential side effects include skin irritation, redness, and sensitivity to sunlight. It is essential to use sunscreen and avoid sun exposure during treatment.
Psychological Impact: Patients considering depigmentation therapy should undergo counselling to understand the potential impact on body image and self-esteem.
Surgery is advised when light treatment is ineffective. Vitiligo can be effectively treated with several distinct techniques. A few of these are listed below.
Suction Blister: Using suction, a blister is produced on healthy skin. The blister's upper part is being utilised, and the discoloured area is being removed and transplanted.
Grafting: New skin with pigment-producing ability is used to replace the depigmented skin. Small white areas can be treated with this treatment. Blister grading is another beneficial procedure that employs a suction method on pigmented skin.
Tattooing: This procedure uses a specialised surgical tool. It is typically applied to individuals with darker pigmentation and around the lip region.
Medications: In order to stimulate the growth of melanocytes, medications that produce melanocytes are inserted beneath the skin. A variety of additional medications are applied as a gel for the treatment of localised vitiligo.
Melanocytes: The process involves implanting melanocytes and keratinocytes on the pigmented area. These cells are initially grown in a laboratory overnight before being surgically implanted in the afflicted location. It has an impressive success rate of up to 95%.
