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Vitiligo
Vitiligo
Vitiligo, drug induced
Vitiligo, drug induced
Vitiligo on the face
Vitiligo on the face
Tuberous sclerosis, hypopigmented macule
Tuberous sclerosis, hypopigmented macule
Vitiligo on the back and arm
Vitiligo on the back and arm
OverviewSymptomsTreatmentPrevention

Vitiligo

Treatment:

Vitiligo is difficult to treat. Early treatment options include the following:

  • Exposure to intense ultraviolet light, such as narrow-band UVB therapy
  • Oral medications, such as Trisoralen (trimethylpsoralen)
  • Topical medications
    • Repigmenting agents such as Oxsoralen (methoxsalen)
    • Immunosuppressants such as Elidel (pimecrolimus) and Protopic (tacrolimus)
    • Corticosteroid creams

Skin may be grafted, or removed from normal areas and placed into areas of pigment loss. In the future, skin pigment cells may be grown in the laboratory and used to treat areas of vitiligo.



Support Groups:


Expectations (prognosis):
The course of vitiligo varies. Some areas may repigment, but other new areas may appear. Depigmentation may be progressive.

Complications:
Depigmented areas are more likely to sunburn or develop certain skin cancers. Vitiligo is associated with three systemic diseases: 1) pernicious anemia, 2) hyperthyroidism, and 3) Addison's disease.

Calling your health care provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop areas of skin that lose their coloring.

Review Date: 8/26/2002
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. editorial. Previous review: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (7/28/2001).

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