What is vitiligo?
It is a medical condition where patches of skin lose color. The total affected skin area ranges from person to person. Vitiligo may also affect the eyes, inside of mouth, and hair. In most cases, the affected area of the skin has permanent discoloration, as it is a photosensitive skin condition. This means that the affected areas are more sensitive to sunlight than the unaffected areas. There is currently no method to predict if the patches will spread. The spread can last for weeks or, in some cases, the spots remain the same for months or years. The lighter patches are more visible on dark or tanned skin.
Causes of vitiligo
The exact cause of the disease is unclear. Several factors can contribute to it. These include-
- an autoimmune disorder, where the immune system becomes overactive and damages the melanocytes
- a genetic oxidative stress imbalance
- a stressful event
- skin damage due to major sunburn or cut
- exposure to chemicals
- a neural reason
- heredity
- virus
It is not contagious. It can occur at any age, but according to studies, a person is more prone to vitiligo around 20 years of age.
Symptoms
The only symptom of the disease is the formation of flat white spots or patches on the skin. The first white noticeable spot is usually found in the area more exposed to the sun. It begins as a single spot that is paler than the original complexion. With time, the spot grows lighter and finally white. The shape of the patches is irregular. Sometimes, the border of the patches is inflamed with a slight red tone, which leads to itchiness at times. Generally, there is no discomfort, irritation, soreness, or dryness in the skin resulting from the disease. The effects vary amongst people.
Vitiligo Management and Treatment
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that vitiligo is more than a cosmetic problem. It is a significant health issue that demands medical attention. Though there are several remedies available for the disease, light therapy for vitiligo is one of the most popular ones.
Types of Light therapy
nbUVB: Narrow-band ultraviolet light B or nbUVB is one of the most successful techniques for vitiligo management and treatment. Mostly, it is successful but requires careful administration. It also requires a commitment of time because the patients are required to visit the dermatologist 2-3 times every week. A weaker version of these booths is available for use at home, but they can be expensive. The method by which nbUVB is administered is crucial for safety and treatment success. It is so because a large amount of light can burn the skin, and too little light is of no help to vitiligo. The techniques do not pose a risk of skin cancer, according to recent studies.
Excimer Laser: This approach is similar to narrow-band UVB, except it gives out a single wavelength of light in the treatment of vitiligo. The wavelength is 380nm. This treatment is very effective; however, it works best only for small patches of skin. Therefore, it is often used when the patient is close to complete recovery.
Handheld UVB units: Many firms sell relatively cheaper handheld UVB-emitting units online. Though studies suggest they are effective, but some consumers believe they are of little help. They are weaker in effect when compared to the UVB treatments in clinics.
PUVA: Psoralen plus Ultraviolet light A or PUVA is a combination of psoralen with UVA exposure, which comes from the sun or artificially from light booths. Some countries provide topicals containing PUVA and ask the patients to apply them under the sun. This method was popular initially and can be effective. However, it is not better than nbUVB and has side effects like skin cancer, returning dark spots that don’t match the original skin color. Therefore, this method has become less popular.
More information about light therapy
Although there is no definitive cure developed for vitiligo, the use of light in the treatment of vitiligo is one of the most popular approaches, to improve the patient’s condition. It yields positive results in many cases, but it must be remembered that it may not be the solution for every case. It demands regular visits to the dermatologist. The results may take longer than expected; therefore, patient adherence and clinical confidence are necessary for the therapy. Studies indicate treatment response to nbUVB is better than PUVA therapy. The most effective response is usually on the face and neck, whereas the hands and feet show less response.
Vitiligo is a skin condition, which requires medical care. Among all the treatment options available, light therapy for vitiligo is one of the most effective and efficient. There are various types of light therapies. However, nbUVB is the most effective and popular.