What should I do about vitiligo?

Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on May 21, 2025
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
56sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zeng Xian Fu
General Surgery
47sec home-news-image

Is the effect of epidermal grafting surgery for vitiligo good?

Vitiligo can be treated with epidermal grafting. Currently, patients with stable conditions, including localized vitiligo and segmental vitiligo, can achieve good results from the transplantation of epidermal pigments. The treatment method involves selecting the skin epidermis from the thigh or abdomen, using an epidermis separator to detach the epidermis, and attaching the skin flap to the depigmented spots, which are polished. This method can effectively treat localized or stable vitiligo and achieve satisfactory results. Therefore, skin grafting surgery for vitiligo can be quite effective. However, the occurrence of vitiligo is related to the immune system, and there is still a possibility of recurrence after successful treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
52sec home-news-image

What elements should be supplemented for vitiligo?

Most patients with vitiligo have a certain relationship with a deficiency in copper in their bodies; copper aids in the synthesis of melanin, so it can be somewhat helpful for vitiligo patients to appropriately supplement with copper for treatment. However, for some patients, their condition is not related to a lack of copper, but rather due to a simple reduction in immunity, family genetics, or localized trauma. These patients can receive symptom-targeted treatment, and the use of 308 laser during treatment can enhance results. It is important to regularly exercise, boost immunity, consume more black-colored foods, and avoid eating too many foods rich in vitamin C, such as strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, pineapples, and mangoes. Generally, after complete recovery from vitiligo, the rate of recurrence is relatively low.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
1min home-news-image

Can people with vitiligo eat lychees?

People with vitiligo can indeed eat lychees. Lychees have benefits such as stimulating the appetite, nourishing the blood, dispersing clumps, regulating qi, and relieving pain. Concerns about eating lychees mainly arise from their vitamin C content. It has been suggested that prolonged consumption of vitamin C supplements, such as taking more than 1-3 grams daily for several months, may potentially trigger vitiligo. However, normally consuming moderate amounts of vitamin C-rich foods or fruits does not significantly affect vitiligo. Moreover, it is now believed that reactive oxygen species within the body are one of the factors contributing to the development of vitiligo, and vitamin C, as an antioxidant, can help clear these reactive oxygen species from the body and protect melanocytes. From this perspective, eating vitamin C-rich foods normally does not have any adverse effect on vitiligo.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
51sec home-news-image

Does vitiligo cause peeling skin?

Vitiligo generally appears as smooth white patches on the skin surface, without peeling or flaky skin. Peeling usually occurs only after exposure to 308 laser treatment. This disease is related to reduced immunity, genetic factors, copper deficiency in the body, or local trauma. Treatment must be formal and persistent, typically oral medication combined with topical agents and enhanced by 308 laser therapy for quicker results. During treatment, it is important to exercise to boost immunity. Regularly consume foods rich in black pigments and limit intake of foods high in vitamin C. Avoid local injuries and maintain long-term consolidation after recovery to prevent relapse.