Vitiligo & Lucoderma

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Vitiligo And Lucoderma

Vitiligo is a disease where white colored spots appear on the skin. These spots are because the melanocytes (cells which produce pigments) of the skin are destroyed by the body's own immune system. Unfortunately the cause remains unknown. Mysterious factors trigger off the auto immune killing of melanocytes.

Highlights

Your Skin Type

Bio-Engineered Skin

Acne Vulgaris

Vitiligo and Lucoderma Scientifically, it hasn't been proved to be hereditary. However, a familial clustering of cases can be seen. Leukoderma means destruction of melanocytes by varied mechanisms like burns, contact with acid, phenol or other chemicals.

Whereas vitiligo occurs due to unknown causes. Earliest case of Vitiligo has occurred after the age of 4 years.

The Types of Vitiligo

There are two main types: Generalized and Localized. Localized types occur only over one part of the body e.g. face, hands or legs.

Generalized vitiligo involves more than 70% of the body surface area. Segmental vitiligo is an interesting type of localized vitiligo where patches occur along the direction of cutaneous nerves.

Vitiligo Treatment

Vitiligo and Lucoderma Vitiligo is treated with drugs known as Psoralens. Psoralens have to interact with UVA rays of light to be beneficial in vitiligo. This treatment of Psoralens with UVA is known as PUVA Therapy. The source of UVA rays can be from the sun or from special tube lights which emit UVA spectrum of light. However, the treatment is of very long duration and many a times unsatisfactory. Mostly patches on the bones, lips and tips of the fingers refuse to respond.

New Advances in Treatment

Nowadays new dermato-surgical modalities of treatment are available. Herein, normal pigmented skin can be grafted onto a patch of vitiligo by several surgical methods.
Such methods are :

Punch grafting
Thin Theirsha's or split skin grafts.
Postage stamp grafts.
Tattooing with medical grade sterile inherit pigments.

Melasma

Pregnancy Mark

Melasma is also known as chloasma. The word melasma actually means "the mask of pregnancy". It is the discoloration of skin on the face or on another part of the body in both the sexes. Melasma is a darkening of the facial skin, often affecting the outer cheeks and areas above the mouth. The pigment producing cells in our body called melanocytes, are stimulated to produce extra pigment leading to this discoloration. Factors that influence this production include estrogen supplements, birth control pills, pregnancy, cell hypersensitivity to normal estrogen levels and sun exposure.

Treatment of Melasma

Treatment involves lightening the discoloration through bleaching and protection from the sun. Hydroquinone is the active agent in skin bleaches. Bleaches don't know the difference between normal and abnormal skin tone, so you need to apply the bleach only to the abnormal skin. Bleaches are usually applied twice daily. Some bleaches contain their own sunscreens.

Depending upon how dark the area is compared to the normal skin tone, it can take as along as one year or sometimes longer. If there seems to be some darkening after the application of bleaches, discontinue use of that agent and check with a dermatologist. Glycolic acid is a wonderful base to apply prior to the bleach as it helps draw the bleach into the skin better. Glycolic acid peels can be helpful as well. A series of approximately 6 weekly peels can help expedite the bleaching process. Some patients have turned to laser therapy for treatment. When you have achieved your desired results, stop your bleach but continue your sun protection. You may even want to continue your glycolic acid and Vitamin A creams. The other important issue is protection from the sun. You absolutely must wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 45 with UVA and UVB protection, wear a hat etc, and minimize your sun exposure.

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