Can people with vitiligo eat watermelon?

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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People with vitiligo can eat watermelon. Watermelon has the effects of cooling and relieving heat, eliminating irritability, quenching thirst, and promoting urination. From the perspective of Western medicine, it has a diuretic effect, similar to water, and is a fruit commonly eaten in summer. Although long-term excessive intake of vitamin C is one of the inducers of vitiligo, especially when the daily intake exceeds 1-3 grams for several consecutive months, it can induce vitiligo. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, and it helps us clear free radicals in the body. These oxygen free radicals can damage the melanocytes in our body. Vitiligo is also caused by damage to melanocytes, reduced production or excessive loss. Therefore, some experts even use vitamin C to treat vitiligo. Thus, moderate consumption of fruits containing vitamin C, such as watermelon, has no negative impact. There is no need to avoid eating these fresh fruits entirely due to fear of potential effects.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Can patients with vitiligo use mobile phones?

Generally speaking, playing with mobile phones does not affect patients with vitiligo, but it is important not to stay up late while using them. If staying up late regularly leads to a decreased immune function, it can worsen the symptoms of vitiligo. Vitiligo is mainly associated with reduced immunity, genetic heritage, a lack of copper in the body, or local trauma. Once detected, it is crucial to seek formal treatment in the dermatology department of a reputable hospital. Oral medication combined with topical drugs, along with the 308 laser treatment, yields better results. Consuming more black-colored foods is recommended, while it is best to avoid consuming too much food rich in vitamin C. If long-term treatment is ineffective, melanin transplantation can also be considered. It is essential to undergo formal treatment; otherwise, the affected area may continue to expand, and the difficulty of treatment will also increase.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Is vitiligo symmetrical?

Vitiligo is a disease that can occur on any part of the body covered with skin and melanin, hence it does not exhibit specific symmetry. It can appear sporadically across the body or symmetrically in one area. The main causes are often linked to a decrease in immunity, genetic factors, a deficiency in copper, or a lack of vitamins and trace elements. Upon diagnosis, it is crucial to seek standard medical treatment. It is recommended to consult the dermatology department of a reputable hospital. Treatment typically involves a combination of oral and topical medications along with 308nm excimer laser therapy, which tends to provide rapid effects. Regular exercise to boost immunity, and consuming foods rich in melanin are advisable, whereas excessive consumption of vitamin C-rich foods should be avoided.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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The term "progressive stage of vitiligo" refers to a phase in which the skin condition vitiligo is actively spreading, with new patches forming and existing patches expanding.

The progression phase of vitiligo, also known as its development phase, is characterized by the enlarging and whitening of the skin patches. This phase primarily signifies that the patches are expanding and becoming more pronounced in color. Vitiligo is related to factors such as reduced immunity, genetic heritage, copper deficiency in the body, or local injuries. Through proper treatment, the progression phase can gradually shift into a recovery phase, where melanin increasingly covers the white patches. Some patients may enter a stationary phase where neither medication nor lack of treatment changes the condition of the vitiligo; typically, if there’s no change for over a year, it enters this stationary phase. If it is determined that the vitiligo is in the progression phase, prompt treatment is crucial to prevent the condition from worsening, which could make treatment more difficult.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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Is there a difference between white patches and vitiligo?

White patches and vitiligo have clear distinctions. White patches primarily refer to localized hypopigmentation on the skin, a type of macule where pigment loss occurs due to a reduction in function or number of melanocytes. White patches can appear on the skin due to various reasons or diseases, including post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, tinea versicolor, and pityriasis alba. Vitiligo, on the other hand, usually refers to a specific skin condition. The causes of vitiligo are multiple and can be related to psychological factors, autoimmune dysfunction, leading to the destruction and reduction in melanocytes. The appearance of white patches in localized skin areas is called vitiligo, and its typical lesion is also a localized white patch, which is a type of white patch. Therefore, diseases causing white patches could potentially include vitiligo or other conditions. Vitiligo is just one possible cause of white patches.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Can people with vitiligo eat apples?

People with vitiligo can eat apples, however, long-term excessive intake of vitamin C is one of the inducers of vitiligo. Generally, consuming vitamin C in daily amounts exceeding 1-3 grams for several months could potentially trigger vitiligo. Nevertheless, vitamin C is also an antioxidant, which can help eliminate oxygen free radicals in the body. Excessive oxygen free radicals can also damage our melanocytes. Therefore, eating an appropriate amount of fruits containing vitamin C does not greatly affect vitiligo, and there is no need to completely avoid fresh fruits and foods containing vitamin C.