Patients with vitiligo should see the dermatology department.

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on February 10, 2025
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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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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 Liu Gang
Dermatology
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side effects of vitiligo medication

Currently, most of the drugs used to treat vitiligo are traditional Chinese medicines, and they generally have relatively low side effects. However, because the effects of treatment for this disease are slow and the treatment cycle is long, long-term treatment is needed. Therefore, the biggest side effect of long-term oral administration of traditional Chinese medicines is the potential damage to the liver. During the entire treatment process, liver function can be rechecked after using the medication for three months. If the liver function is normal, these medicines can continue to be used. During the medication process, some liver-protecting drugs can also be taken orally. Commonly used topical medications can initially irritate the skin, causing symptoms such as redness, itching, or blistering, but these symptoms will gradually disappear with long-term use.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Can vitiligo be transmitted through blood?

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 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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Does vitiligo spread through contagion?

Vitiligo is not contagious, and it will not be transmitted to others through contact once it appears. However, this disease does tend to have a genetic predisposition. The main factors contributing to vitiligo include decreased immunity, a deficiency of copper in the body, localized trauma, or genetic heredity. There are also some reasons that cannot be fully identified through medical examination. After vitiligo appears, its progression varies from person to person. Some patients experience rapid development, with the affected area expanding significantly within a few months, while others see slower progression. Generally, if the spread is quick, it is necessary to seek routine treatment promptly. If the affected area is small and the progression is very slow, it might be reasonable to observe for a while to monitor the development of the patches before deciding on the treatment approach. In any case, it is crucial to take vitiligo seriously upon its onset, continuously observe its progression, consult a doctor to assess the severity of the condition, and receive appropriate treatment.