The main problem with vitiligo isn't a severe physical threat (it's not contagious or life-threatening), but its significant psychological and social impact, causing emotional distress, low self-esteem, anxiety, and social stigma due to the cosmetic disfigurement from white patches on the skin, hair, or inside the mouth, stemming from the immune system attacking pigment-producing cells (melanocytes).
What is known is that the risk of developing vitiligo increases in kids with a family or personal history of thyroid disease, diabetes, and certain conditions like alopecia (an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss). Vitiligo is never contagious — kids can't "catch" it from someone else.
People with vitiligo may be at increased risk of:
Vitiligo may flare or spread due to: Stress. Sunburn, cuts, or other skin damage. Chemical exposure.
Treatments suitable during pregnancy include: Topical corticosteroids: Your doctor may prescribe you a topical cream or ointment to help stabilise your vitiligo. This is suitable during pregnancy, but you should always check with your GP. Phototherapy: This treatment is safe for pregnant women.
Vitiligo itself isn't a pregnancy risk. The main concerns are comorbid autoimmune conditions, medication choices and environmental triggers. Even with the modest miscarriage risk, overall pregnancy outcomes for women with vitiligo are generally good.
Foods to Avoid for Vitiligo
You may be referred to a doctor who specialises in treating skin conditions (dermatologist) if further treatment is needed.
Limited studies show that the herb Ginkgo biloba may return skin color in people with vitiligo. Other small studies show that alpha-lipoic acid, folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin B-12 plus phototherapy may restore skin color for some people.
Vitiligo seems to be more common in people who have a family history of the disorder or who have certain autoimmune diseases, including: Addison's disease. Pernicious anemia. Psoriasis.
Most commonly vitiligo affects the skin around the eyes, mouth, elbows, wrists, hands and ankles. The condition can sometimes involve large areas of skin, but it is rare for people to lose all of their skin pigment.
Laboratory work for vitiligo may include the following: Thyroid panel consisting of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (T3), and free thyroxine (T4) levels. Antinuclear antibody. Antithyroid peroxidase antibody.
Health care providers who treat vitiligo include: Dermatologists, who specialize in diagnosing and treating disorders of the skin, hair, and nails. Primary care physicians, such as a family practitioner or internist. Other specialists, such as ophthalmologists (who treat eye problems) may also provide care.
About 10% to 20% of people who have vitiligo fully regain their skin color. This is most common among people who: Receive an early diagnosis before age 20. Experience the peak of the condition spreading within six months or less.
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis: multiple rounded, light colored patches that appear on the exposed body parts may resemble a confetti-like vitiligo, but they ain't it. This condition is more common among peope over 40 years than early-to-mid ages.
There is no cure yet for vitiligo, but there are many different ways to treat it. For most people, the goal of treatment is to stop vitiligo from spreading and bring color back to affected skin. In some situations, people choose to remove the remaining natural skin color to even out their skin tone.
Vitamin D in Milk Optimizes Immune Function
Hence, consuming milk can help ensure that a vitiligo patient gets enough vitamin D to support their immune system's balance, potentially preventing excessive immune reactions that could worsen vitiligo.
The topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor ruxolitinib, the first FDA‐approved treatment for repigmenting non‐segmental vitiligo in patients ≥12 years with ≤10% BSA involvement, has shown promise through modulation of immune signaling pathways [13].
Based on our findings, vitamin D levels were significantly low in patients with vitiligo in comparison with controls; however, we did not observe any significant effect of vitamin D on the occurrence and extension of vitiligo lesions.
Patients with vitiligo should reduce smoking and alcohol consumption and take appropriate vitamin E, B12, copper, and zinc supplements. However, vitamin C, vitamin D, selenium, iron, and folic acid supplements are unnecessary. Moreover, they should consider sun protection and avoid permanent hair dye use.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system is attacking healthy cells. To support your immune system, dermatologists recommend that you reduce stress and eat a balanced, nutritious diet. Take care of your mental health.
Vitiligo and diet
We disagree with entrenched notions that sour foods, vitamin C (in foods or as a supplement), white foods (curd/yogurt), fermented foods (pickles, etc) are bad for vitiligo. We allow such foods to vitiligo patients under our treatment.
Recommended foods for vitiligo include fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, cereals, leafy greens, whole grains, and dried fruits such as walnuts and almonds.
Can vitiligo patients eat eggs? Yes, people with vitiligo can eat eggs. Eggs are a great source of many critical nutrients and natural high-quality protein. They supply essential vitamins for skin health, such as biotin and B12.
“Is it contagious?” “Can't you just cover it up?” “You'd be so attractive without it…” People with vitiligo hear this more than you think.