It is thought that sunlight can be both good and bad for people with vitiligo, for several different reasons. For example, on the disadvantage side, some medical experts believe it's possible that sunburn could be a trigger for developing the skin condition.
Say Hello to Sunshine: Expose the affected areas to early morning sunlight i.e. just as soon as the sun rises as it consists of ultraviolet A-rays (320-400nm) which stimulate pigment-forming cells (melanin). However, ultraviolet rays are harmful when at their peak between 10 am to 4 pm.
So it is still important to protect yourself from burning in the sun. And in addition to increasing the risk of skin cancer, it can make vitiligo worse!
The Sun as a Catalyst
Vitiligo is activated from sun exposure in childhood, when the pigment-producing cells, melanocytes, are destroyed. This depigmentation of the skin results in spots and patches of very pale skin, in contrast to the normal skin shade of the individual.
Studies suggest that vitamin D3 increases tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis in vitro [12], which may lead to repigmentation in vitiligo skin lesions. Calcipotriol and tacalcitol, which are vitamin D analogs, are also known to induce repigmentation in patients with vitiligo [13,14].
Vitiligo tends to spread slowly. Occasionally, it spreads quickly. If you're seeing new patches and spots on your skin frequently, your dermatologist may prescribe a medication like prednisone. This is corticosteroid medication that can help slow down the disease.
Certain components of hair dye, bleaching agents, and skin-care products can set off a vitiligo flare. Marmon advises choosing products labeled hypoallergenic that are free of harsh chemicals, fragrances, and irritants.
Phototherapy with narrow band ultraviolet B (UVB) has been shown to stop or slow the progression of active vitiligo. It might be more effective when used with corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. You'll need therapy two to three times a week.
Some food items like juicy fruits rich in vitamin C or ascorbic acid such as oranges and lemon, other fermented food items as curd, alcohol, Fish, red meat are to be avoided as they have harmful effect on vitiligo and can give rise to spreading of patches.
Inheriting certain genes may increase the risk of something triggering (causing it to happen) vitiligo. Known vitiligo triggers include: A severe sunburn. Injured skin (cut, scrape, burn) Getting a strong chemical like phenol on your skin.
Living with vitiligo
Be careful about exposing your skin in the sun. Your white patches are extra sensitive because the skin cells are dead. Other parts of your body may become sensitive to the sun with treatment. Sun exposure can increase the contrast between your skin colors.
Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid
This is why it is always recommended to take these two vitamins together in order to treat vitiligo. According to some scientific studies, a combination of vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation and sun exposure is a good strategy to regain natural skin color.
Stress increases the levels of catecholamines, neuropeptides, and cortisol that are higher in vitiligo patients [37–39] suggesting their role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.
Drinking water stored in a copper vessel will help you increase melanin in your body and reduce whiteness of patches caused by vitiligo. Basil leaves are known to have anti-aging and anti-viral properties. These properties of basil are important for dealing with vitiligo.
A topical cream called ruxolitinib is the first therapy approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to restore pigment in vitiligo patients.
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.
Vitamin supplements can have an opposite effect: for example, an excessive intake of Vitamin C can worsen vitiligo symptoms, so keep it at normal levels. People with vitiligo should keep their Vitamin D levels in the upper range of normal, with exception of conditions causing fat malabsorption.
Also a lot of intake of chocolates, cheese, and coffee is also not good for patients with vitiligo.
Topical steroids come as a cream or ointment you apply to your skin. They can sometimes stop the spread of the white patches and may restore some of your original skin colour. A topical steroid may be prescribed to adults if: you have non-segmental vitiligo on less than 10% of your body.
Even though the best pattern is perifollicular and areas without hair don't respond well, they still do respond to treatment but in a different pattern, called marginal repigmentation. This is when the edges of the white spot creep in a little bit, shrinking the whole spot by a few millimeters.
The consumption of vitamin B-12 rich foods is highly effective in reversing vitiligo. Various medical studies and researches reveal that deficiency of vitamin B-12 tends to cause a boost in homocysteine, which is a compound responsible for the destruction of skin pigmentation in various parts of your body.
Vitiligo can be triggered by stress to the melanin pigment-producing cells of the skin, the melanocytes. The triggers, which range from sunburn to mechanical trauma and chemical exposures, ultimately cause an autoimmune response that targets melanocytes, driving progressive skin depigmentation.
However, for many people with vitiligo, the white patches begin to appear before age 20, and can start in early childhood. 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.
After 6 to 12 months, segmental vitiligo tends to stabilize, meaning that the color loss stops. Once it stops, most people with segmental vitiligo don't develop new patches or spots.