Current treatment options for vitiligo include medical, surgical, and other treatments. Most treatments aim to restore color to the white patches of skin.

The most common medical treatments for vitiligo are:

Topical medicines (such as creams) that you put on the skin
Medications that you take by mouth
A treatment that uses medicine plus ultraviolet A (UVA) light (PUVA)
Removing the color from other areas so they match the white patches.

Surgical treatment for vitiligo assumes the following techniques:

- Punch grafts are procedures that move small pieces of melanin-free, pigmented skin to areas where it is not currently present.
- Split-thickness skin grafts (larger fragments of pigmented skin are resettled in place of white spots where the unpigmented skin has been removed)
  - - - Skin grafts from a person’s own tissues. The doctor takes skin from one area of a patient’s body and attaches it to another. This is sometimes used for people with small patches of vitiligo.
        
        Blister grafts (blister roofs from healthy and pigmented skin are relocated to white spots)
        
        After dermabrasion or laser therapy has removed the top layer of skin, cellular grafts inject melanocytes and other skin cells from healthy, pigmented skin into white leukoderma spots.
        
        Tattooing small areas of skin.

Other methods of vitiligo treatment are:

Phototherapy with UVA light

UVA treatment is usually conducted in a healthcare setting. First, the patient takes a drug that increases the skin’s sensitivity to UV light. Then, in a series of treatments, the affected skin is exposed to high doses of UVA light. Progress will be evident after 6 to 12 months of twice-weekly sessions.

Skin camouflage

In cases of mild vitiligo, the patient can camouflage some of the white patches with colored cosmetic creams and makeup. They should select the one that best matches their skin features. If creams and makeup are correctly applied, they can last 12 to 18 hours on the face and up to 96 hours for the rest of the body. Most topical applications are waterproof.

Depigmenting

Depigmentation can be an option when the affected area is widespread, covering 50 percent of the body or more. This reduces the skin color in unaffected parts to match the whiter areas. Depigmentation is achieved by applying topical solid lotions or ointments, such as monobenzone, mequinol, or hydroquinone. The treatment is permanent, but it can make the skin more fragile. Prolonged exposure to the sun must be avoided. Depigmentation can take 12 to 14 months, depending on factors such as the depth of the original skin tone.

Topical corticosteroids

Corticosteroid ointments are creams containing steroids. Some studies have concluded that topical corticosteroids applied to the white patches can stop the spread. Others have reported total restoration of the original skin color. Corticosteroids should never be used on the face. If there is some improvement after a month, the treatment should be paused for a couple of weeks before starting it again. Treatment should stop if there is no improvement or side effects occur after a month.

Calcipotriene (Dovonex)

Calcipotriene is a form of vitamin D used as a topical ointment. It may be used with corticosteroids or light treatment. Side effects include rashes, dry skin, and itching. Another treatment for vitiligo that has gained popularity is a natural treatment.

What is vitiligo?

Vitiligo (vit-il-EYE-go), also known as leukoderma, is a skin disorder that causes skin color loss. Smooth white areas (macules if less than 5mm or patches if 5mm or larger) appear on a person’s skin. If you have vitiligo in a place with hair, the hair on your body may also turn white.

Vitiligo is a skin disorder in which smooth white areas (called macules or patches) appear on a person’s skin. It generally starts on the hands, forearms, feet, and face. Globally, about 1% or so of the population has vitiligo.

Vitiligo, also known as leukoderma, is a skin disease that manifests as white spots on different parts of a patient’s skin.

The condition occurs when the body’s immune system destroys melanocytes (the skin cells that produce melanin, the chemical that gives skin its color or pigmentation).

What we know about Vitiligo

Humans are a wonder of nature; we have a lot of diversity in language, ethnicity, beliefs, the color of our eyes, hair, skin, and many other intriguing things. While this natural diversity makes the human race unique and beautiful, many individuals may have issues with their skin color. This is not because of racism or discrimination, but because their skin is diverse in color. Vitiligo, also called leukoderma, is a common skin disorder. As the name Leukoderma suggests, it causes white patches to form on the skin (leuko = white and derma = skin). Vitiligo happens due to several factors. The most widely known factor is the abnormal behavior of the immune system. In this case, the immune system goes berserk and starts destroying melanocytes, cells containing the pigment melanin responsible for skin color. Other factors are a genetic predisposition, conditions where the melanocytes don’t function properly, and conditions where the nerves do not function properly. While not a serious health problem, leukoderma is a serious one. This is because it can cause stigma and reduce self-confidence. Hence, it is more of a social problem that can degenerate into mental issues like depression and anxiety if not handled properly. Treatment with Vitiligo can help boost self-confidence. Orthodox therapies may work for some people, but the scientific consensus is that they are not as effective as they should be in the context of vitiligo. It may be worth the while to try alternative treatments. As seen in a journal, we will discuss some available homeopathic treatments and case studies.

Who is likely to get vitiligo?

Up to 2% of the population and an estimated 2 to 5 million Americans have the condition. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman.

It usually develops early in life, between the ages of 10 and 30, and almost always shows up before the age of 40.

Vitiligo may run in families. You’re more likely to get it when someone in your family has it, too, or when people get premature gray hair.

Autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) or type 1 diabetes, can also raise your odds.

Types of vitiligo

Vitiligo can be divided into two main types: generalized and segmental. In both types, the cells that create skin pigmentation are destroyed, resulting in lighter skin. However, generalized and segmental vitiligo manifest themselves differently in the body.

• Generalized is the most common type when spots appear in different places on the body.
• Segmental is limited to one side of the body or an area such as the hands or face.
• Mucosa type that distresses the mucous membranes of the gums, vagina, and head of the penis.
• Focal length is a rare type in which the spots are in a small area and do not spread in a specific pattern for one to two years.
• The trichoma type is characterized by a colorless center that is paler than the surrounding area of lighter pigmentation in the middle of the area of typically pigmented skin.
• The universal type of vitiligo is another infrequent form of leukoderma that manifests when 80% or more of the body’s skin is melanin-free.

There are two major types of vitiligo:

Nonsegmental Vitiligo

This is the most common type of vitiligo, with pale skin patches usually appearing on both sides of the body. The first signs may show up on hands, fingertips, wrists, around the eyes or mouth, or on the feet. Non-segmental vitiligo is also called bilateral or generalized vitiligo or vitiligo vulgaris, according to an article published in September 2016 in F1000 Research.

Non-segmental vitiligo is divided into subtypes based on how the condition presents itself. These include acrofacial vitiligo, which appears on the face, hands, and feet; mucosal vitiligo, which affects the mucus membranes of the mouth, nose, and genitals; localized or focal vitiligo, which occurs on just a few areas of the body; and universal vitiligo, which may involve 80 to 90 percent of an affected person’s skin.

Segmental Vitiligo

For this type, white patches often appear on just one side of the body, such as one arm or one leg, instead of both. Loss of hair color is expected. Segmented vitiligo can begin early in life. It may spread rapidly for six months to two years, then stop progressing. In rare cases, this form of vitiligo may become active again years later. About 5 to 16 percent of vitiligo cases are segmental vitiligo.

You may also have mixed vitiligo, a combination of nonsegmental and segmental vitiligo.

Importantly, vitiligo can cause significant psychological distress. Many people with vitiligo struggle with self-esteem, confidence, and social anxiety, primarily if the vitiligo affects areas of the skin that are tough to hide under clothes or minimize with cosmetics, notes the NHS.

Vitiligo can have a significant effect on patients. Patients can be very self-conscious and even experience depression.

Symptoms of vitiligo

White patches on the skin are the main symptoms of vitiligo. These patches are more common in areas where the skin is exposed to the sun. The patches may be on the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips.

Common symptoms of vitiligo are:

Patches of skin lose color, including the eyes and the mucous membranes in your mouth or nose.
Patches of hair on your head or face turn prematurely gray or white.

Vitiligo commonly affects:

Body folds (like armpits)
Places that have been injured in the past
Areas exposed to the sun
Around moles
Around body openings
Mucous membranes (tissues that line your nose and mouth)
It can also affect the eyelids and hair.
It’s rare for the pigment to return once the white patches have developed.

What causes vitiligo

Although the causes of vitiligo aren’t entirely understood, there are several different theories about the causes of vitiligo:

Autoimmune disorder:

The affected person’s immune system may develop antibodies that destroy melanocytes.

Genetic factors:

Specific factors that may increase the chance of getting vitiligo can be inherited. About 30% of vitiligo cases run in families.

Neurogenic factors:

A toxic substance to melanocytes may be released at nerve endings in the skin.

Self-destruction:

A defect in the melanocytes causes them to destroy themselves.

Certain events, such as physical or emotional stress, may also trigger vitiligo. Because none of the explanations completely account for the condition, a combination of these factors may be responsible.

Is vitiligo painful?

Vitiligo is not painful. However, you can get painful sunburns on the lighter patches of skin. Protecting yourself against the sun is essential by using sunscreen, staying out of the sun during the most substantial hours, and wearing protective clothing. Some people with vitiligo have reported having itchy skin sometimes, including before the depigmentation starts.

Problems associated with vitiligo?

Although vitiligo is mainly a cosmetic condition, people with vitiligo may experience a variety of problems, including:

Because they lack melanocytes, macules are more sensitive to sunlight than the rest of the skin, so they will burn rather than tan.

People with vitiligo may have some abnormalities in their retinas (the inner layer of the eye that contains light-sensitive cells) and some variation of color in their iris (the colored part of the eye). In some cases, there is some inflammation of the retina or iris, but vision is usually not affected.

People with vitiligo may be more likely to get other autoimmune diseases (in which the body’s immune system causes it to attack itself), such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, pernicious anemia, Addison’s disease, and alopecia areata. Also, people with autoimmune diseases are more at risk of developing vitiligo.

People with vitiligo may feel embarrassed or anxious about their skin. Sometimes, people are rude – they may stare or say unkind things. This could cause a person with vitiligo to develop low self-esteem. This, in turn, could create anxiety or depression issues and make someone want to isolate. If this happens, you should talk to your healthcare provider or family and friends to help you find a solution.

Natural treatment for vitiligo

A natural treatment for vitiligo is another treatment that has been proven effective without causing any side effects.

Listed below are different approaches to natural vitiligo treatment

Home remedies for vitiligo: an effective natural treatment for vitiligo.

Home remedies for vitiligo are another form of natural treatment that can be achieved at home and is cost-effective.

Listed below are the most common home remedies for vitiligo

Reduction of stress

Reducing stress is one of the home remedies for vitiligo. Too much stress can be harmful to the body in any condition. Stress may not cause vitiligo, but excess stress can lead to the growth of patches caused by vitiligo. Besides vitiligo, stress may harm the mind and body and hamper a person’s day-to-day functioning. Take less stress to prevent vitiligo from worsening.

Sunscreen

It is safe to assume that the sun’s harmful UV rays impact vitiligo because it appears in skin areas that receive regular sun exposure. Therefore, as a preventive measure, apply sunscreen to the parts of the body exposed to the sun. To avoid any harm from UV rays that inhibit the growth of vitiligo, wear long dresses to cover all exposed body parts.

Drink water from a copper cup.

Staying hydrated is another home remedy for vitiligo that can help your body stay fit and away from diseases. Drinking water from a copper vessel is a way to eliminate vitiligo. Drinking water stored in a copper vessel will help increase melanin in your body and reduce the whiteness of patches caused by vitiligo.

Diet: an essential component of any treatment for vitiligo

A diet for vitiligo is another home remedy that can help reduce the symptoms of vitiligo. While there’s no officially prescribed “diet for vitiligo,” the best nutritional steps include eating a healthy diet full of good nutrients and drinking lots of water. And, as with any autoimmune disorder, you may benefit from immune-system-boosting foods that contain phytochemicals, beta-carotene, and antioxidants. Below are the rules that need to be applied when you create a diet for vitiligo that people with vitiligo have cited as helpful for their condition:

Bananas
Apples
Leafy greens, such as kale or romaine lettuce
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans
Root vegetables, especially beets, carrots, and radishes
Figs and dates

Acupuncture for vitiligo: an ancient Chinese natural treatment for vitiligo

Acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbal medicine especially heal skin ailments. TCM addresses a condition’s root cause and division (symptoms). The diagnosis and treatment are tailored to each individual’s symptoms. Treatment may involve acupuncture, Chinese herbs, or both, depending on the condition. Often, one treatment cycle is once or twice weekly for 12 weeks. Some conditions will clear quickly, but others may take longer.

Acupuncture for vitiligo includes internal and external herbal therapy. Internal treatment may involve boiling a 10–12 herb mixture and drinking it twice daily. Most herbs are blood and Qi circulators, while some are more modern developments that have been found to have an anti-vitiligo effect.

After applying a psoralen-rich tincture to the stains, the external therapy involves a brief exposure to sunlight. Psoralens are compounds in certain plants that make the skin more sensitive to sunlight and spark interrupted melanin production. Too much exposure can also lead to sunburn. Acupuncture for vitiligo should consistently be implemented under the supervision of an experienced practitioner and precisely as directed. After several treatments, vitiligo patches start to fill in with the natural skin pigment. After therapy ceases, the skin may take months or years to become normal.

Homeopathic treatment of Vitiligo: #1 natural treatment for vitiligo

Treatment of vitiligo aims to achieve two things. The first is to stop the spread of skin discoloration, and the second is to get an even skin tone (i.e., reverse or at least mask the discoloration). Let’s look at some treatments of vitiligo in homeopathy with some case studies

Homeopathic remedies commonly used for the treatment of vitiligo

CALCAREA CARBONICA: This is one of the top medicines for Vitiligo in homeopathic therapy. It treats the leukoderma-related milky white patches on the skin. It is also helpful for people who get easily fatigued when doing physical activities and are prone to constipation.

TUBERCULINUM 200: This is a first-line homeopathic treatment in Vitiligo. You can start with this treatment.

SULPHUR 200: Sulphur is used for a wide variety of skin diseases. It is so effective that both conventional and homeopathic medicine acknowledge its effectiveness. It is in common ointments, such as sulfur ointments used for scabies, ringworm, and acne. It is also useful if Vitiligo causes burning sensations all over the skin.

NITRIC ACID: Nitric acid is very useful for discolorations on the skin, which are sometimes accompanied by painful ulcers. A 50-year-old woman who had been battling Vitiligo for 25 years used it by herself. She had white discoloration on her face and ears. On follow-up after one year, she was slowly recovering from Vitiligo, though she was still under treatment. A mixture of phenol and nicotinamide was used on a 28-year-old woman with discoloration on the face and back. She also had anemia. The anemia and the Vitiligo symptoms improved when she was accessed seven years after treatment.

Here are some other medications used: SILICEA 30, PSORALEA CORYL. 3X, SEPIA 30, ARSENICUM ALB 30, HYDROCOTYLE 3X, BELLADONNA, PHOSPHORUS, STRAMONIUM, NUX MOSCHATA, and PSORINUM

Homeopathic Treatment for Leukoderma in Philadelphia

At the Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic, a team of practitioners treats vitiligo/leukoderma naturally, using ancient techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern homeopathic remedies.

The leader of the practitioners’ team, Dr. Victor Tsan, is an internationally recognized homeopathic practitioner.

To book an appointment for your homeopathic evaluation at the Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic, contact our office at (267) 403-3085 or use our online scheduling system.