Can people with vitiligo eat lychees?

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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People with vitiligo can indeed eat lychees. Lychees have benefits such as stimulating the appetite, nourishing the blood, dispersing clumps, regulating qi, and relieving pain. Concerns about eating lychees mainly arise from their vitamin C content. It has been suggested that prolonged consumption of vitamin C supplements, such as taking more than 1-3 grams daily for several months, may potentially trigger vitiligo. However, normally consuming moderate amounts of vitamin C-rich foods or fruits does not significantly affect vitiligo. Moreover, it is now believed that reactive oxygen species within the body are one of the factors contributing to the development of vitiligo, and vitamin C, as an antioxidant, can help clear these reactive oxygen species from the body and protect melanocytes. From this perspective, eating vitamin C-rich foods normally does not have any adverse effect on vitiligo.

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Segmental vitiligo treatment

There are currently multiple ways to treat segmental vitiligo, with the most conventional being a combination of oral medication, topical medication, and 308 laser treatment. If the disease is in the stable phase, melanocyte transplantation can also be considered. The stable phase refers to the condition where, after repeated treatments, there are no changes, no recovery, and no further expansion for a year. This disease is somewhat related to personal immunity, so it is important to regularly exercise to strengthen immunity, consume more dark-colored foods, and avoid eating too much food rich in vitamin C. Proper treatment at a qualified hospital's dermatology department can lead to a complete cure of the disease with persistent treatment.

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Can vitiligo patches be tattooed?

Vitiligo is related to decreased immunity, genetic heredity, copper deficiency in the body, or local trauma. Therefore, it is advised not to tattoo over vitiligo patches, as tattooing can cause trauma to the skin surface and potentially lead to more severe loss of melanin. People with this condition should avoid getting tattoos. They should seek standard treatment at a regular hospital's dermatology department. Treatment typically involves oral medications, topical medications, and the use of a 308-nm excimer laser, which can accelerate recovery. During treatment, it is important to exercise regularly to boost immunity. It is recommended to eat more black foods and to avoid an excess of vitamin C-rich foods and spicy, stimulating foods. Try to avoid staying up late.

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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.

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Will vitiligo keep spreading?

Vitiligo is related to one's immunity, hereditary factors, copper deficiency in the body, or local trauma. Once vitiligo is detected, it often continues to spread, especially in individuals with very weak physiques, where the spreading might occur rapidly. Upon detection, it is advisable to seek diagnosis and standard treatment at a dermatology department in a reputable hospital. The treatment usually involves a combination of oral medication, topical medication, and 308 laser therapy. During treatment, it is important to exercise to boost immunity, avoid spicy and irritating foods, avoid staying up late, and eat more dark-colored foods. Foods rich in vitamin C should be consumed in moderation. Treating vitiligo can be slow and requires long-term persistence. Once detected, efforts should be made to prevent the condition from spreading further, as larger affected areas can result in poorer treatment outcomes.

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What are the characteristics of the stable period of vitiligo?

The stable phase of vitiligo is defined as a period of at least six months, or even more than a year, during which there are no changes in the localized white patches on the body, regardless of whether treatment is administered or not. During this phase, the white patches neither progress nor recover. Treatments during the stable phase are generally not very effective; oral medications, topical applications, and even treatment with a 308 laser typically show little change. The most common treatment plan during the stable phase still involves melanocyte transplantation. Patients should visit a dermatology department at a certified hospital to get a proper diagnosis and specific treatment. During the treatment period, it is important to enhance physical exercise to boost immunity, consume foods rich in black pigments, and limit intake of foods high in Vitamin C. After recovery, measures should be taken to prevent relapse and consolidate the treatment results.