Five Things You Should Know About Vitiligo: A Guide by Dermalife
Looking for vitiligo treatment in Delhi? You are at the right place. Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes white patches on the skin. It can also spread to the eyes and ears. People of any age, sex, and ethnicity can be affected by vitiligo. Vitiligo patches start appearing when melanocytes within the skin are destroyed. Melanocytes are mainly responsible for producing melanin in the body. Melanin gives color to the skin and protects it from harmful UV radiation.
In today's society, people have certain misconceptions related to vitiligo. Let us understand them through a story. When Rahul decided to marry Sarita, little did he know that his mother, always by his side, would object to his choice of a girl he loved dearly. The lovely couple finally had to end their relationship, and what was the reason? Sarita’s mother was suffering from these white patches on the skin, known as vitiligo. Rahul’s mother believed that the disease would affect Sarika in the future and then spread to Rahul’s offspring. On the whole, Rahul’s mother did not want the disease to enter Rahul’s family via Sarita.
This story shows us that vitiligo impacts a patient's physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. It causes social stigma and can lead to the end of relationships, as seen above.
Unfortunately, adding to this trauma, people have several misconceptions related to vitiligo that it is contagious and is the result of our past karma. These myths add fuel to the fire of the suffering of the patients.
Through this article, Dermalife Hair and Skin Clinic has tried to cover the five most important things you should know about vitiligo. This will help you understand how to get a good vitiligo treatment in Delhi.
Vitiligo Treatment Delhi: Some Fast Facts
Before telling you the five most essential things about vitiligo, we want you all to be aware of some fast facts related to vitiligo. Here are some critical points about vitiligo that you must know
As stated by a vitiligo specialist in Delhi:
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder.
- Vitiligo is not contagious.
- The best vitiligo treatment in Delhi may include exposure to unique phototherapy and medicines that slow down depigmentation and induce repigmentation.
- 70 million people across the world have vitiligo
- 20 to 35% of vitiligo patients are children
- Nearly 1 percent of the world's population is affected by vitiligo.
- Vitiligo is difficult to hide. This disease is misunderstood, and the isolation it brings can be crippling.
- It is a psychologically devastating disease and can affect the personal and professional relationships of people.
Types of Vitiligo
As quoted by the American Academy of Dermatology, Vitiligo is of several types:
Localized Vitiligo: A localized vitiligo is diagnosed when only a few patches cover a small area. These patches develop in a few areas of the body only.
Non-Segmental Vitiligo
If a person is dealing with white patches on both sides of the body, it is known as non-segmental vitiligo. It is a prevalent type of vitiligo and can further be characterized into the following types:
- Acrofacial: It occurs mainly on the face, the scalp, genitals, fingers, and toes.
- Mucosal: It appears mostly around mucous membranes and lips.
- Generalized: This type of vitiligo can develop in various areas of the body.
- Universal: It is a rare type of vitiligo and covers most parts of the body.
- Mixed: This type of vitiligo is also rare, and a person suffering from it can have both segmental and non-segmental vitiligo.
Segmental Vitiligo
Segmental vitiligo leads to a fast color loss in one area of the body. However, after 6 to 12 months, it can become more constant, stable, and less erratic than the non-segmental type. Once it stops, people with segmental vitiligo do not develop new patches.
How do you know that you have vitiligo?
The main clinical feature that defines vitiligo is that, to begin with, one is likely to notice white patches on the skin. It starts as a small, light-colored area that is flat and round.
However, it is not known to produce itching, irritation, tenderness, or dry skin, though it does get burned by the sun more easily.
The effects associated with vitiligo are different for different people. For instance, a vitiligo specialist in Delhi state says that some people are said to have only five to fifteen white spots that never grow larger. However, other people can produce large white patches that coalesce and cover areas of skin.
They may also develop hearing impairment, changes in eye color pigmentation, and other autoimmune disease, including thyroid complications.
Vitiligo Treatment Delhi: 5 Things You Must Know
Fact number 1: Vitiligo is not contagious
As many people think, vitiligo is not contagious at all. It cannot be passed from one person to another or transmitted via touch, saliva, blood, or inhalation. It also cannot be spread via water bottles, bath towels, or sexual intercourse. Some people also believe that they can get vitiligo by petting dogs with white spots on their heads. But believe us, this is not the case. These are all senseless myths.
It is crucial to spread knowledge about vitiligo, a skin disease that calls for compassion and empathy rather than fear of infection. The best vitiligo doctors in Delhi suggest that people suffering from vitiligo need assistance and acceptance to cope with the ailment.
Fact number 2: Vitiligo is painless
Talking from a physical standpoint, vitiligo is painless. But if we speak from emotional and psychological standpoints, the suffering can vary from individual to individual. Some people find it emotionally intense to embrace their vitiligo, while others find it very difficult and feel that the disease affects their confidence and self-esteem.
As already said above, vitiligo occurs when melanocytes( cells responsible for making skin pigment ) are destroyed. The process does not involve nerve endings in the skin, so the skin will only lose color and will not cause any pain.
Fact Number 3: Food Intake Does not cause vitiligo
Many people perceive that vitiligo is related to the consumption of certain types of food. But this is not the case. There is no connection between food intake and the consumption of certain types of food.
Instead, Dr Guarav Garg, the best vitiligo specialist in Delhi, says that vitiligo is a complicated disorder that is caused by several variables like heredity and the immune system.
According to research, it is more of an autoimmune disorder, where our immune system starts killing our skin cells. While eating a varied diet is essential for our health, vitiligo should not be attributed to any particular food. You can manage it effectively with proper medical guidance.
Fact Number 4: Vitiligo can affect anyone
According to the best vitiligo doctor in Delhi, vitiligo can affect anyone of any age or gender, and belonging of ethnicity. The disease does not discriminate based on the person's race or color. Nevertheless, the root cause of the disease has not been determined, and any person in any country can develop it.
It would be best if you dismissed the fact that vitiligo affects people of specific racial groups only. This misconception may cause different misunderstandings. Women and men, young people and seniors—everyone should receive support and the necessary information to accept and respond to a person with vitiligo. By pointing out that vitiligo may be present in anybody, we should move a bit forward, making the world a better place for everyone with this skin condition.
Fact number 5: Vitiligo is not a life-threatening condition
Of course, vitiligo is emotionally taxing, but it is not a life-threatening condition. It mainly affects skin pigmentation and does not cause any severe health problems. Thus, vitiligo itself does not promote any life-threatening hazard, but it can severely impact an individual's mental health.
However, patients dealing with vitiligo should understand that assistance and hope are accessible in this case. We know that the disorder has its implications, but vitiligo treatment at Dermalife Hair and Skin Clinic can help.
Vitiligo Treatment in Delhi: How can Dermalife Help?
Dermalife Hair and Skin Clinic, under the guidance of Dr. Guarav Garg, is a highly experienced clinic that deals with vitiligo. We are experts in treating both significant and minor vitiligo. Our treatment options include:
Oral and Topical Medicines
This is our first line of treatment. Specific topical and corticosteroid creams decrease the occurrence of pigmentation. However, it is essential to note that this line of treatment works only when vitiligo has affected small areas of your skin.
NB-UVB Treatment
Narrow-band UVB light or phototherapy is an effective method for treating vitiligo. The best vitiligo specialist in Delhi suggests this treatment option when the discoloration affects more than 20 % of the body. It is a proven treatment option for severe vitiligo cases, but it is primarily time-consuming. Both adults and children can tolerate this procedure well.
Surgical Methods to Deal with Vitiligo
Dr Gaurav Garg is a certified vitiligo specialist in Delhi. Here are the top surgical methods practiced at Dermalife Hair and Skin Clinic to deal with Vitiligo:
Grafting
It is a surgical procedure to replace the discolored skin on the body with the skin on the thighs and buttocks. The treatment will not leave any scar on the donor area and has minimal risks. To know more about this procedure, get in touch with Dr Gaurav Garg today.
Suction Blisters
It is another effective method practiced at Dermalife to cure vitiligo. Using this method, the dermatologist for Vitiligo in Delhi develops a blister on your skin. They then remove the top of the blister and transplant it to the discolored part of the skin.
Melanocyte Transplant Surgery
In this treatment, the doctors at Dermalife might implant melanocytes taken from the thighs or buttocks. In this treatment, the uppermost skin layer is removed using special instruments. Melanocytes, or skin cells, are then extracted from it. These melanocytes are then transplanted to the discolored portion of the skin. It is an intricate process, but thanks to Dr. GAURAV Garg, the best vitiligo specialist in India, you can now get rid of skin discoloration.
Punch Grafting
This method is mainly used to treat white patches on palms and soles. Tiny, 0.1 mm skin pieces are taken from the donor area and then implanted in the affected areas of the palm and soles.
Advanced Laser Treatment for Vitiligo in Delhi
Dr Gaurav Garg says that the primary motive of laser treatment for vitiligo is to stimulate or activate the melanocytes so that they start producing melanin again. Dermalife uses an Excimer Laser to treat vitiligo. Here is how this treatment option works:
- The excimer laser works by emitting a concentrated beam of UVB light at a wavelength of 308 nm.
- The light from the laser helps dormant melanocytes to become active.
- The laser uses only precise targeting, that is, only to the depigmented areas, and minimizes exposure to healthy skin cells.
- The number of laser treatment sessions you will need to treat your vitiligo will depend on its size, location, and severity.
- The treatment can be used in conjunction with other therapies, such as topical and corticosteroids, to slow down the depigmentation rate.
Note: The effectiveness of this treatment can vary from person to person and should not be taken as a cure for the condition. However, it can help to slow down the disease.
Learn to love the skin you are in: Message by Dr Gaurav Garg.
Learning to love the skin you are in is not easy when you have vitiligo. However, this disease is rarely represented and discussed in the media. You have to be clear of the fact that this disease is not contagious. Here is a beautiful message by Dr Garg, a celebrity hair transplant doctor in Delhi and a vitiligo specialist.
- Love yourself. You are not defined by how much skin pigment you have or don't have. You are unique. Embrace yourself and accept all your flaws. This is the first step to self-love.
- Join online support groups to connect with people dealing with the same condition. These groups are best for emotional support. You can also learn about new treatments for vitiligo in these groups.
- Practice self-care. Let go of the stress. Take time to unwind and boost your inner confidence.
- See the best dermatologist in Delhi regularly. They can help you with the latest treatment options, like laser treatments and surgery, which are evolving. Don't lose hope for future advancements!!
Dermalife suggests that all the beautiful people dealing with Vitiligo focus on themselves and appreciate themselves for who they are. We are with you at every step of the treatment.
If you need more information on vitiligo treatment strategies in Delhi, visit us at Dermalife today!!!
