Vitiligo


What is the probability of contracting vitiligo?
The causes of vitiligo are related to a decrease in autoimmunity, family genetics, copper deficiency in the body, or local trauma. This disease is not contagious, with zero chance of transmission between individuals. Once it occurs, it is essential to seek proper treatment at the dermatology department of a regular hospital. Generally, smaller areas are relatively easier to treat, and larger areas can also be improved or cured with long-term persistence. In addition to oral and topical medications, 308 laser treatment can be used for better results. During treatment, it is important to exercise to strengthen immunity, avoid spicy and irritating foods, avoid staying up late, eat more black foods, and try not to consume too much food rich in vitamin C.


What fruits should not be eaten with vitiligo?
There are many factors that contribute to the formation of vitiligo, mainly related to reduced immunity, family genetics, ketone deficiency in the body, or local trauma. Once it occurs, it is important to consume more dark-colored foods, such as black rice, black beans, black sesame, black mushrooms, and mushrooms. Foods or fruits high in Vitamin C should be avoided, such as strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, pineapples, and mangoes, as high Vitamin C content can lead to faster pigment loss. Furthermore, it is crucial to seek formal treatment for this condition. The larger the affected area, the longer the treatment period. Persistence is essential, and treatment can include oral medications, topical medications, and complementary 308 laser therapy, which can be effective. Continued treatment can gradually lead to recovery.


Are vitiligo and white patches the same? What is the difference?
Vitiligo and leukoderma are completely different concepts. Vitiligo can manifest as porcelain white patches, while leukoderma is a sign, not a specific diagnosis. It includes diseases like pityriasis alba, post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, and achromic nevus, all of which can appear as white patchy changes and are non-specific. In terms of diagnosis, it requires further combination of clinical and auxiliary examinations to be confirmed. Vitiligo is a pigmentary loss disease, whose causes are unknown. The disease may be related to various factors such as genetics, metabolic environment, and trauma, and requires symptomatic treatment such as immune modulation. Medications include oral folic acid, niacinamide, and compound glycyrrhizin tablets.


Can vitiligo be cured?
Vitiligo can be cured through long-term treatment in clinical settings, though it tends to be easier to treat when the affected area is small. Treatment can be quite challenging when the condition is widespread throughout the body, and often sufferers with extensive areas give up on treatment. Vitiligo is somewhat linked to reduced immunity, genetic factors, and a deficiency in copper within the body. Once vitiligo appears, it is crucial to seek professional treatment in the dermatology department of a regular hospital. Generally, a combination of topical and oral medications, along with 308 nm laser treatment, can be effective. During the treatment period, it is important to exercise to strengthen immunity and consume black foods to increase melanin. Foods rich in vitamin C should be consumed minimally, and spicy or stimulating foods should be avoided, as well as staying up late.


Can late-stage vitiligo be life-threatening?
Generally speaking clinically, vitiligo does not have a concept of a late stage, but if the disease has been present for a long time and covers a large area, treatment can be troublesome. Vitiligo poses no harm to life and health; even if the affected area is large, it does not threaten life, but treatment can be troublesome, requiring long-term commitment and substantial costs. Once detected, it is best to seek formal treatment at a dermatology department of a standard hospital. Generally, doctors will formulate a treatment plan based on the individual's condition. The combination of oral medication, topical medication, and 308 laser therapy is currently the most effective method for treating vitiligo. During the treatment period, it is also important to strengthen physical exercise to enhance immunity, helping to prevent the complete loss of melanin after it is deposited.


How to determine if the white patches on the face are vitiligo
The most common diagnostic methods for vitiligo currently are the Wood's lamp and a dermatoscope. If white patches appear on the face, it is best to visit the dermatology department of a formal hospital for an examination with a dermatoscope and Wood's lamp, which can essentially determine whether it is vitiligo. If the white patches appear around the mouth, beside the nose, or near the eyes, there is a higher probability that these are vitiligo. If the white patches develop on the eyebrows or where there is hair, and if the hair also starts turning white, it can generally be confirmed as vitiligo. If diagnosed with vitiligo, it is necessary to seek treatment promptly. Generally, a combination of oral and topical medications along with 308 laser treatment can be quite effective. Additionally, some facial white patches may simply be pityriasis versicolor, which is somewhat related to fungal infections.


How to treat vitiligo that has spread extensively on the body?
Vitiligo is related to reduced immunity, genetic inheritance, copper deficiency in the body, or localized trauma. In some people, the condition can develop quickly, with small white patches appearing and then rapidly spreading over the body in a short period. If this occurs, it is advisable to seek standardized treatment at a dermatology department of a reputable hospital, where oral medications and topical applications are used in combination with 308 laser treatment for faster effects. If the condition does not respond well to treatment, small doses of oral steroids may be used to manage it. During treatment, it is recommended to avoid spicy and irritating foods, not stay up late, eat more black-colored foods, avoid consuming too much vitamin C-rich food, engage in more exercise, and strengthen immunity.


What should I do about vitiligo?
Vitiligo belongs to a category of pigmentary disorders, which can affect social interactions and psychological well-being to some extent, but does not affect health and growth. Therefore, it is necessary to approach this condition with scientific rationality. First, it is important to prevent skin trauma, rest adequately, stabilize the body's immune status, and manage sun protection. Symptomatic treatment includes oral administration of drugs such as compound glycyrrhizin tablets and folic acid tablets. Tacrolimus ointment should be applied externally to the lesions. Treatment can also be supplemented with traditional Chinese medicine, including Bai Ling tablets and Qu Bai Ba Bu Qi tablets, although liver and kidney functions must be monitored. Additionally, therapy may include 308 nm excimer laser irradiation, two to three times a week, for a total of 10 to 14 sessions per treatment course.


What is generalized vitiligo?
Generalized vitiligo, as opposed to localized vitiligo, generally covers larger areas and can appear on various parts of the body, while localized vitiligo typically occurs in only one area, such as the palms or around the mouth. Once this disease is discovered, especially generalized vitiligo, it must be treated properly; otherwise, the affected area can increase, making treatment more difficult later on. Treatment should be sought at a reputable hospital's dermatology department, where a combination of oral medication, topical medication, and 308 laser therapy can be effective. During treatment, it's important to exercise to strengthen the immune system, avoid foods rich in vitamin C, and consume more dark-colored foods, which can help in the production of melanin.


What are the treatment methods for vitiligo?
Currently, there are many methods to treat vitiligo, with the most traditional being oral and topical medications, combined with 308 laser treatment. For larger affected areas, fire needle therapy followed by 308 laser treatment can also be used. If the vitiligo is in a stable phase, meaning there has been no change for at least a year, whether treated or not, and no expansion or shrinkage has been observed, this is called the stable phase. In such cases, melanocyte transplantation can be employed. Generally, the more methods are used to treat vitiligo, the better the outcomes. It is advisable to seek treatment in the dermatology department of a reputable hospital using standardized treatments. Avoid using folk remedies or single treatments, as they may delay proper treatment and complicate the condition.