Vitiligo is a skin disorder that one can identify with its pigmentation. Globally, vitiligo affects 0.5% to 2% of the population. India ranks higher when it comes to vitiligo. To speak about vitiligo, THIP Media invited Dr Swati Watwani, Cosmetologist and Aesthetic Dermatologist, currently Medical Director and Chief Consultant at Persian Lily in Maharashtra. For the detailed interview open the YouTube link below:
Q. What is vitiligo? What are the symptoms of vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a skin condition, in which your skin loses its normal color. Because it is triggered by an autoimmune response of the body in which the immune system fails to recognize the pigment forming cells, which is called as the melanin pigment and due to which over the period of time, as this progresses, one sees patches over the skin which is called as depigmented areas. To the non-expert eyes, these are pale white patches over the skin. It also spreads to other parts of the body. When it comes to the vitiligo symptoms, one can notice pale white patches. In general, there are no physical symptoms. There would be no itching, burning or dryness of skin or erythema redness.
Q. What are the causes of vitiligo?
The most important cause is the altered immune response of the body. The second cause can be hereditary factors. The next cause is environmental factors, such as sunburn, mechanical traumas, or a certain inflammatory response.
Q. How is vitiligo diagnosed?
The first thing is a clinical examination. This is done by a dermatologist. The test is also known as wood lamp examination. There is a lamp under which you diagnose these lesions (the patch areas). Depending on the stage of vitiligo, the patches illuminate differently. However, if the patient is dealing with multiple skin diseases, then we go for a skin biopsy. Multiple skin diseases, here means, pre-existing psoriasis, alopecia, hives and three, four combinations of diseases.
Q. Can vitiligo be cured completely? How is it treated?
Vitiligo cannot be cured completely. Since it is a disease that stems out of genetic predisposition. That means it can be managed/reduced but it won’t go away. But with current advanced medications and the surgical options, there is a guaranteed significant result. But it might recur at any point of time.
There are a lot of treatment modalities for vitiligo. Such as, this will depend on the affected area, location of the area in the body, how much area it covers, age and finally skin type. We mainly provide two varieties of treatment; one is topical treatment (corticosteroid creams like psoriasin and topical spirillum), and another is oral steroids (immunosuppressants). Medications will depend upon preexisting comorbid and diabetes. Another option left is phototherapy. Surgical options like punch grafting, blister grafting, and melanocyte grafting are also there. Plastic surgery is another option.
Q. Are there any home remedies that can cure, treat or prevent vitiligo?
So far, only an herb Ginkgo Biloba has clinical evidence of its effectiveness on restoring depigmented lesions or even slowing/halting the progression of vitiligo. But it cannot make the disease go away. Rather than home remedies our focus is more on safety measures. To be on the safer side, take vitamin D capsules, have moderate sun exposure but not directly at noon, apply sunscreen, cover your body etc.
Q. How to approach vitiligo if it is genetic? Is vitiligo contagious?
The most common genetic vitiligo appears in the second to fourth decade of life, namely vitiligo vulgaris, or the rapid progression.
Vitiligo is not at all contagious. It’s a disease which includes a combination of immunological factors, psychological factors, environmental factors, and inflammatory factors that your body imbibes. The end result is vitiligo, and there’s no question of infection.
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