What are the instruments for vitiligo examination?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on November 24, 2024
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The most commonly used instruments for diagnosing vitiligo currently are the Wood's lamp and the dermatoscope, with the Wood's lamp being used slightly more frequently in clinical settings. After the appearance of white patches on the body, one can first visit the dermatology department of a formal hospital for an examination with the Wood's lamp. If it is vitiligo, the patches will appear brightly white under the lamp, with clear edges. This disease has a certain degree of recurrence, and it is crucial to undergo formal treatment once diagnosed. During treatment, it is advisable to enhance physical exercise, boost immunity, and largely avoid eating spicy and irritating foods. Treatment can include oral medication, topical medication, and the use of a 308 nm UVB laser, which can accelerate recovery. It's beneficial to consume foods rich in black pigments, and it is advisable to avoid consuming excessive amounts of Vitamin C-rich foods. Persisting with the treatment usually yields good results.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What are the symptoms of vitiligo on the head?

Vitiligo has numerous causative factors, including diminished immune function, genetic predisposition, copper deficiency in the body, or localized trauma. Vitiligo commonly manifests on the scalp as white, patchy areas of skin, and the hair attached to these patches may also turn white. In some cases, the affected area may gradually expand, spreading to the face or the trunk of the body. Once white patches are observed on the scalp, and the hair in these patches turns white, it is strongly suspected to be vitiligo and should be medically treated at a dermatology department in a reputable hospital. If the affected area is small, complete recovery is possible with proper treatment. During treatment, it is important to exercise regularly and boost the immune system.

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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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Patients with vitiligo should see the dermatology department.

Vitiligo belongs to the category of dermatological diseases, and its treatment requires seeking care from the dermatology department of a reputable hospital. This disease is associated with factors such as decreased immunity, family genetics, ketone deficiency in the body, or local trauma. If white patches appear on the body, it is necessary to visit a dermatology department at a reputable hospital and use a Wood's lamp for diagnosis to confirm whether it is vitiligo. If confirmed, active treatment should be pursued, typically involving oral medication, topical medication, and laser therapy. During treatment, it is important to exercise to strengthen the immune system, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and consume more black-colored foods, while limiting the intake of foods rich in vitamin C. After recovery, it is advisable to use a Wood's lamp again to check that the pigmentation is even. Regular exercise post-recovery can effectively prevent the recurrence of the disease.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Will vitiligo recur after skin grafting?

Vitiligo generally enters a stable phase after which skin grafting is quite effective. The stable phase is typically reached when, after about a year of treatment, there are basically no changes, no worsening or improvement in the condition, which is referred to as the stable phase. Using the method of skin grafting to directly implant melanocytes into the depigmented regions tends to be effective. Generally, after skin grafting, melanin quickly proliferates and extensively covers the depigmented areas. However, the factors causing this disease are quite complex. Some individuals, especially those with lower immunity, might experience recurrence even after a successful graft. Therefore, personal health status and clinical evidence should be considered individually.

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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.