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Suggest Treatment For Vitiligo

Posted on Tue, 21 Apr 2015

Question: Vitiligo Treatment

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Photoprotection of genitals is actually less relevant for females

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Let me try to answer your queries one by one.
1. Photoprotection of genitals is actually relevant for males since the testes are located in the thin scrotum. It is of less relevance in females since the ovaries are intra-abdominal. Cancers are very infrequently reported and there is a lack of definite recommendations in contrast to routine practice. I do not find any problems with exposure to female genitals.
1b. UVB does not count under ionizing radiation and hence is safe in pregnancy. If she wishes to restrict, it need not be more than the first trimester.
2. It should eventually respond but the skin there is thicker.
3. As the condition is autoimmune, no permanent cure is available. This is the best treatment she can get.

Hope that helps.

If you found my answer helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.

Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (4 hours later)

Hi Doctor,

Thanks for the reply. Have few more questions:

1. If it is auto immune disease, will it increase in spreading the disease as the age grows that is say after 40+.

2. So you are saying she can expose the lower abdomen to Photo therapy with out any concernn? there is no threat to cancer?

Thanks XXXXXXX

Also,

If she get pregnancy, does the new born child also affect with the same disease?

Thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is reasonable to continue photo therapy.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks XXXXXXX for writing back. Sorry for not being able to write back earlier.
1. The course of vitiligo is not predictable.
2. If there is risk, it is the risk of skin cancer above anything else. The ovaries are deep inside and thereby safe.
3. Vitiligo has genetic predisposition. Hence there is a possibility of the disease being passed on from mother to children. But not all get the disease.

The following information might be useful to you:
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/vitiligo

Hope that helps.

If you found my answer helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.

Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (23 hours later)

Hi Doctor,

Thanks for the reply and it is helpful.

One last follow-up with the question.

1. if she has vitiligo below abdomen and gets pregnancy after marriage skin normally expands. if skin expands does the white patch also expands or spread?

Thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The increase in size of the patches is likely to be proportionate

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking back. I am glad that you found the answers helpful.

I do not think that you need to worry about the spots expanding during pregnancy. The stretching of the skin is a natural process. It is hard to predict the disposition, but I guess that the increase in size of the involved skin.

Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha

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