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Child Suffering With Vitiligo. Prescribe With Omnacortil. Safe To Take Steriods?

Posted on Tue, 22 Oct 2013

Question: Hi Doctor, My son who 8.5 years old and is suffering with Vitiligo. Doctor pesrcribed him Omnacortil Tab 5mg, three table , twice a week. Is it safe for my son to take steriods in such an early age?

thanks/regards

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Kruti (1 hour later)

Hello

Thanks for posting your query.

I can understand your concern.

We treat vitiligo with oral steroids depending on the extent of the vitiligo, i.e how widespread it is and how fast is it progressing. After seeing these parameters, we decide whether to give oral steroids or not.

Please could you provide this information to me.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kruti (17 minutes later)

Hi Doctor,

Thanks for the response.
About an year back, it started from side of big toe of left foot and whereever the wound or cut marks are there like nee, elbow etc. about few months back it the white patches started appearing on both the hands. Even his lips are now changing colour littlebit. We have observed some dots like white patces also on arms.
I have now attached doctor's prescription herewith for your referance.

thanks/regards

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Kruti (18 hours later)

Hello

Thanks for your reply.

I can understand your concern.

The history that you have provided indicates that your son has a rapidly progressive lip tip vitiligo. This is an indication for oral steroids. However, since he is a child it should not be given daily but in a pulse dose, the same way the doctor has suggested on Sat, Sun.

It should not be given on a long term basis, only as much as required according to your doctor's recommendation, under his supervision and it should not be abruptly stopped.

Hope I have answered your query.

Please let me know if I can address any other concern for you.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kruti (3 hours later)

Hi Doctor,

Thanks a lot for addressing my concern.
Just wanted to ask if there is any other line of treatment avoiding steroids, even if it long term or expensive

Warm regards

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Kruti (30 hours later)

Hello

Thanks for your reply.

The treatment for progressive vitiligo is oral steroids. The application of steroid cream is useful for mainly localized vitiligo. In case of your son, the vitiligo is spread over many areas. Hence the ideal treatment is oral steroids.

Since he is a child, administering it daily is not advisable but a pulse dose would be beneficial. It is really important to take treatment only under the supervision of your doctor so that the lesions can be observed and the side effects can be monitored.

Vitiligo is restricted to the loss of skin color and does not affect the patient in any other way, however the psychosocial impact of it is tremendous and hence treatment is sought. Treating vitiligo is not an easy task and the treatment may not be always effective. However, with proper treatment repigmentation of the lesions can be achieved.

You could discuss the use of pimecrolimus cream for the treatment with your doctor. It is found that is effective in the treatment.

Hope I have answered all your queries.

Take care

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar