Can vitiligo be transmitted through blood?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on November 03, 2024
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Vitiligo is primarily caused by factors such as reduced immunity, genetic inheritance, copper deficiency in the body, or localized trauma. This disease is not contagious and cannot be transmitted through blood or by contact with each other. Once diagnosed, it is essential to seek standard treatment, which should include oral and topical medications from a conventional hospital's dermatology department, in conjunction with 308nm excimer laser therapy for quicker results. During treatment, it is also important to exercise regularly to boost the immune system and eat more black foods, such as black rice, black beans, black sesame, wood ear mushrooms, and other mushrooms. Foods rich in vitamin C, such as strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, pineapples, and mangoes, should be consumed in moderation. Maintaining a regulated diet and lifestyle habits can aid in the treatment process.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Can vitiligo develop into skin cancer?

Vitiligo is a condition where melanin is lost from the epidermis, leading to the formation of white patches on the skin surface; this condition is not related to the skin itself. Vitiligo generally progresses with an increase in the area and whiteness of the patches, or an increase in the number of patches on the body, but it does not develop into skin cancer. Once diagnosed with vitiligo, it is essential to seek standard treatment at the dermatology department of a formal hospital, because the treatment period is relatively long, requires long-term medication, and involves treatment with 308-nm excimer laser. During treatment, it is important to exercise to boost immunity and avoid spicy and irritating foods. Eating more black-colored foods and limiting the intake of foods rich in Vitamin C is advisable. Even after complete recovery, continuing medication for a while to consolidate the treatment is recommended.

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Written by He Da Wei
Dermatology
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early symptoms of vitiligo

The best treatment period for vitiligo is in its early stages, but the early symptoms of vitiligo are easy to overlook, often presenting as smooth white patches the size of nails, with few depigmented patches, typically only 1-2, and most commonly appearing on exposed areas of the skin. Sometimes, the color of the depigmented patches is not very different from the surrounding skin, making it difficult to detect. Vitiligo generally occurs in areas susceptible to sunlight exposure and friction damage, and it mostly affects adolescents, generally before the age of 20. Many teenagers might feel too young to experience serious health issues, thus neglecting to monitor their health. However, early detection and appropriate treatment are crucial and delays or blind treatment 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 Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Is melanocyte transplantation for vitiligo painful?

Vitiligo melanocyte transplantation is essentially painless. It mainly involves extracting small blisters from the abdomen using a cellular base, then clearing the blister fluid and using the blister's epidermis to cover the affected vitiligo areas. These vitiligo areas are first abraded with a machine until slight bleeding occurs, allowing the epidermis to be covered. There is essentially no pain. Melanocyte transplantation for vitiligo is generally suitable for patients in a stable phase, meaning the vitiligo has not changed for at least six months. It is recommended that during treatment, patients should combine oral medication with topical drugs and eat more black foods. Foods rich in vitamin C should be consumed in moderation.

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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.