Vitiligo causes white patches to appear on the skin. Each white patch caused by vitiligo may appear nearly anywhere but its appearance is more common in areas where the skin is exposed to the sun. Common areas where you can see lost skin color include the following:
Patients from New Hampshire and Massachusetts don’t need to worry about loss of skin pigmentation and other related skin disorders, thanks to different medical treatments for vitiligo at Dermatology & Skin Health. Our team of board-certified dermatologists and highly-trained medical professionals perform each skin treatment inside state-of-the-art facilities to ensure your safety and comfort.
By consulting with us now, you can determine which vitiligo treatment option is the best pick for you. We view your medical records first and perform necessary tests to know more about your skin disease before recommending a treatment option.
Schedule your first appointment with us by calling us or filling out our form online.
At Dermatology & Skin Health, we offer world-class services done by award-winning doctors who have proven their knowledge and skills in this field. Start your journey towards achieving your best skin by contacting us today.
The cause of this skin condition is unknown. Vitiligo may be an autoimmune disease, which refers to the condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks some part of your own body. In vitiligo, the immune system may destroy the melanocytes in the skin, which are the skin cells that create the pigment called melanin.
When attacked, the melanocyte can no longer make pigment in normal amounts. It’s also possible that one or more genes may make a person more likely to get the disorder. Some researchers think that melanocytes destroy themselves. Others think that a single event such as sunburn or emotional distress can cause vitiligo, but these events have not been proven to cause skin color loss.
One to 2 million people in the U.S. are affected by vitiligo. Most of them develop symptoms before their 40th birthday. The disorder is equally likely to affect men and women, and people of all races.
People with certain autoimmune diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, hyperthyroidism, alopecia areata, or celiac disease, are also more likely to get vitiligo than people who don't have any autoimmune diseases.
Vitiligo may also run in families. Children whose parents have the disorder are more likely to develop it. However, most children won’t actually get vitiligo even if a parent has it. Vitiligo patients often have hair that turns gray early. Patients with a darker skin tone may notice pigment loss inside their mouths.
Vitiligo itself isn’t dangerous, but it can affect how patients feel about their appearance. In some cases, it can also have physical complications like hearing problems, eye issues, and an increased risk of developing sunburns. Some patients are also more likely to have other kinds of autoimmune diseases associated with vitiligo.
If you’re concerned about the appearance of white patches on your skin and its possible complications, you can always consult a dermatologist about vitiligo or other pigmentation issues. Visit a skin clinic near you once you notice these signs of vitiligo:
Some people with vitiligo have found that cosmetics that cover the white patches improve their appearance and help them feel better about themselves. A person may need to try several brands of concealing cosmetics before finding the product that works best.
Aside from covering up the white patches with makeup, it’s also important for patients to protect their skin from sun exposure and other sources of UV light. The lack of melanin in the white patches of their skin makes it susceptible to sunburns, so patients should always wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and cover their affected skin well.
When you have vitiligo, you may be upset or depressed about the change in your appearance. You can do several things to cope with the disorder like:
At Dermatology & Skin Health, our excellent dermatology services are guaranteed to be safe and effective, performed by the top doctors in their respective fields. Treat your skin problems by contacting us today.
There are several treatment options that are aimed at restoring color to the affected area of the skin. The choice of treatment depends on:
Some treatments are not right for everyone and many can have unwanted side effects. Treatments can take a long time, and sometimes they don't work. Current treatment options for vitiligo include medical, surgical, and other treatments.
Medical treatments include:
Surgical treatments include:
Other treatments include:
A: There is no way to tell if it will spread. For some people, the white patches do not spread into healthy skin. But for others, vitiligo spreads slowly over many years. Some patients may also notice that vitiligo spreading occurs quickly. There are also patients who have reported more white patches after physical or emotional stress.
A: Vitiligo is a separate condition from skin cancer and albinism. These medical conditions aren’t related, so it’s important to get the right diagnosis from a dermatologist or healthcare provider. After finding out whether you have vitiligo, skin cancer, or albinism, they can recommend treatment plans that match your needs.
A: Both vitiligo and melasma are skin pigmentation issues, but melasma refers to the overproduction of melanin in the affected area while vitiligo is the lack of skin color in some parts of the body. They are caused by different things so they also require different treatments.
At Dermatology & Skin Health, we offer world-class services done by award-winning doctors who have proven their knowledge and skills in this field. Start your journey towards achieving your best skin by contacting us today.
If you suffer from vitiligo and other skin conditions related to skin pigment loss, schedule a consultation at Dermatology & Skin Health now. Our team specializes in a wide selection of medical treatments like laser therapy for vitiligo and its associated symptoms, so you can trust us to provide you with the best skin solutions.
Please fill out the request form on our site or give us a call at (603) 742-5556 (Dover & Newington), (978) 525-0100 (Peabody), (603) 965-3551 (Londonderry), or (603) 742-5556 (Bedford) to book an appointment. Say hello to quality skin treatments from our team of experts by getting in touch with us today.
If your desired appointment type or preferred provider is unavailable online, kindly call (978) 525-0100 for Peabody, MA and (603) 742-5556 for all New Hampshire locations. Alternatively please feel free to send us your request via the patient portal, or via email at info@dermskinhealth.com
*For medical dermatology appointments in MA please dial (978) 525-0100 or fill out the appointment request form above.
