Is melanocyte transplantation for vitiligo painful?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on January 28, 2025
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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 Liu Jing
Dermatology
1min 2sec home-news-image

What should I do about vitiligo?

Vitiligo belongs to a category of pigmentary disorders, which can affect social interactions and psychological well-being to some extent, but does not affect health and growth. Therefore, it is necessary to approach this condition with scientific rationality. First, it is important to prevent skin trauma, rest adequately, stabilize the body's immune status, and manage sun protection. Symptomatic treatment includes oral administration of drugs such as compound glycyrrhizin tablets and folic acid tablets. Tacrolimus ointment should be applied externally to the lesions. Treatment can also be supplemented with traditional Chinese medicine, including Bai Ling tablets and Qu Bai Ba Bu Qi tablets, although liver and kidney functions must be monitored. Additionally, therapy may include 308 nm excimer laser irradiation, two to three times a week, for a total of 10 to 14 sessions per treatment course.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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How to diagnose vitiligo in babies?

Babies diagnosed with vitiligo generally need to be differentiated from the following diseases. The first is anemic nevus, which is a congenital hypopigmentation that often exists at birth. If you rub the skin in the affected area, it does not turn red, while the surrounding normal skin does. Another is achromic nevus, which appears at or shortly after birth, characterized by localized hypopigmentation that often follows the distribution of nerve segments, with blurry boundaries. Additionally, there is tinea versicolor, which tends to occur in hot weather, with hypopigmented patches that have a bran-like or scaly appearance and a positive fungal test. It also needs to be differentiated from pityriasis alba, also known as white pityriasis, which commonly appears on children's faces and has a slightly rough surface. Generally, vitiligo diagnosis still requires further confirmation through tests such as Wood's lamp, dermatoscopy, skin CT, and fungal examinations.

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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 Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Does vitiligo spread through close contact?

Vitiligo is a type of autoimmune systemic disease. The most common causes of the disease are decreased immunity, genetic heredity, copper deficiency in the body, or local injuries. This disease is not contagious, which means that contact or living together will not transmit it to each other, and this can be reassured. However, treating this disease can be quite troublesome, time-consuming, and slow in showing results. Once diagnosed, it is essential to seek treatment in the dermatology department of a reputable hospital. Treatment options can include oral medication combined with topical drugs and 308 laser treatment, which tends to have quicker effects. During and after the treatment, it is necessary to continue using medication to consolidate the effects, enhance physical exercise, boost immunity, and consume more black-colored foods. Foods rich in vitamin C should not be consumed in excess.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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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.