“Finding a support group of people like me who have had similar experiences, has made a huge difference in my life,” Roufs says. You can connect with others through local support groups via the Global Vitiligo Foundation, as well as Facebook communities like Embrace Your Vitiligo and Vitiligo Pride.
As with any type of skin condition visible for the world to see, vitiligo can be difficult to live with. Many diagnosed with the disorder suffer from low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. Having the information and some tools available may help you gain some control over vitiligo.
A December 2022 article published in the International Journal of Women's Dermatology found that cognitive behavioral therapy — a type of talk therapy — can improve mental symptoms, stress levels, and quality of life in people with vitiligo and other skin diseases.
Generally speaking, there are two primary approaches to restoring confidence and self-esteem when you have vitiligo: figuring out ways to mask, cover, or treat affected areas and learning to accept the condition as part of what makes you who you are.
Individuals with vitiligo also frequently experience mental health effects like low mood, self-esteem issues, social anxiety, withdrawal, and embarrassment—all of which can deeply affect a person's quality of life.
Treatment cannot cure vitiligo.
While researchers are looking for a cure, treatment cannot currently cure this disease. Treatment can help restore lost skin color, but the color (repigmentation) may fade over time. To keep their results, many patients have maintenance treatments.
Never use a tanning bed or sun lamp.
These are not safe alternatives to the sun. These, too, can burn skin that has lost pigment and worsen vitiligo. Tanning will not tan the areas that have lost color and can actually make your vitiligo more noticeable.
It's not uncommon for those with vitiligo to report experiencing anxiety, depression and lower self-esteem as a result of this condition. I've lived with vitiligo for more than twenty years and know this to be true first-hand. After getting vitiligo at the age of seven, I struggled mentally throughout high school.
Vitiligo causes isolation, stigmatization, loss of self-esteem, depression, and self-consciousness.
Adult and mature boys or girls have to make a conscious decision and it must be noted that vitiligo should not be given undue consideration while selecting a life partner.
Green tea is the go-to beverage when it comes to detoxifying the body and enhancing immunity. Surprisingly, it is used by Vitiligo patients too for treating their symptoms. This is based on facts and studies have confirmed that green tea is indeed beneficial for treatment of Vitiligo.
Vitiligo does not pose a serious threat to one's health, but it can result in physical complications, such as eye issues, hearing problems, and sunburn. People with vitiligo also tend to be more likely to have another autoimmune disease (like thyroid disorders and some types of anemia).
Chemicals. 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.
About 15 to 25 percent of people with vitiligo are also affected by at least one other autoimmune disorder, particularly autoimmune thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis , pernicious anemia, Addison disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis ...
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.
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)
Avoid sour food
The sourness of the food may potentially inhibit the production of melanin due to its acidic nature. Patients with vitiligo are suggested to refrain from eating citrus fruits, sour yogurt, sour pickles, and other sour foods. However, ripe fruits that are rich in vitamin C may be consumed.
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.
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].
There is no cure yet for vitiligo, but there are ways to treat it. Unfortunately, treatments for vitiligo don't always work, and even when they do, vitiligo can come back. Some body areas are very difficult to treat. The good news is there are now promising therapies on the horizon.
A topical cream called ruxolitinib is the first therapy approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to restore pigment in vitiligo patients.
However, people with vitiligo are usually in good health and live normal lives. If it is not associated with symptoms that cause physical discomfort or complications, the condition may be left untreated. Otherwise, there are 3 treatment options for vitiligo: Camouflage using makeup and dyes to conceal affected areas.