Treatment for Vitiligo in other countries

Type:Uv phototherapy   Time:2017-01-19 15:44:51

Vitiligo is a disease that lightens the color your skin, hair, eyes, mucous membranes (of the mouth, lips, nostrils, rectum, and genitals), as well as other areas.

It's usually not a painful or dangerous condition, but it may be related to other underlying diseases or, rarely, have complications of its own.

Can Vitiligo Be Cured?

There is no cure for vitiligo( in others countries), unless it is caused by other underlying disease that can be cured.

However, it can be managed using different methods to return pigment to the skin and lessen coloration differences.

Treatments for Vitiligo

Your treatment may be related to an underlying condition or it may be cosmetic.

Cosmetic methods range from using makeup to applying prescription creams to laser and light therapy.

The best treatment for you will depend on where the vitiligo appears, your health and age, and the amount of time and money you can invest (health insurance may not cover cosmetic treatments).

If you chose medical treatment, the sooner you act after a patch of vitiligo appears, the greater your chance of success in the short and long run.

Cosmetic Makeup for Vitiligo

Covering white patches with makeup is safe and relatively inexpensive.

You can use a full-coverage foundation or self-tanner makeup to achieve the look you desire. Using makeup is generally safe and gentle enough for children, although it has to be applied daily.

Topical Corticosteroid for Vitiligo

The most commonly prescribed medication for vitiligo is daily application of a strong topical corticosteroid.

About half of patients regain some skin color in four to six months. Corticosteroids work best for:

¡¤ People who are recently diagnosed

¡¤ People who have darker skin tones

¡¤ Facial discoloration (topical corticosteroids, like most treatments, are less effective on the hands and feet)

Side effects of topical corticosteroid include:

Skin atrophying with prolonged use (usually more than a year). Skin may become thin, fragile, and dry

Streaks or lines (called striae) that may appear on your skin

Light Treatment (Phototherapy) for Vitiligo

Phototherapy treatments are usually given in doctor's offices, clinics, and hospitals. Light treatments are often combined with other medicines, such as topical treatments.

Narrowband UVB Light Therapy (NB-UVB) for Vitiligo: UVB phototherapy (NB-UVB) has been increasingly used for vitiligo, becoming the standard of care in many places. The treatment uses a 311 nanometer (nm) wavelength.

Compared with the older UVA treatment, it uses smaller doses of ultraviolet radiation, causes less burning and redness, and is more likely to be effective.

The therapy is applied to your whole body or, using handheld instruments, it targets specific patches of vitiligo.

Whole-body therapy may be less time-consuming than targeted treatments. On the other hand, it is important to minimize exposure to the radiation.

You'll need NB-UVB treatments two to three times a week, totaling 48 treatments or more.

Excimer Laser Phototherapy for Vitiligo: The laser treatment known as "excimer" is a newer type of phototherapy.

It emits a type of light (monochromatic) that is similar to UVB, but it is more targeted, using smaller, 308 nm wavelengths.

Treatments are usually given two to three times a week for up to six months.

Psoralen Plus UVA Light Therapy (PUVA) for Vitiligo: This therapy combines psoralen, a medication that increases your sensitivity to light, with UVA light treatment.

Psoralen comes in forms that can be taken by mouth or applied to the skin. Treatments are given once a week for up to a year.