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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Vitiligo?

Posted on Thu, 8 May 2014

Question: I saw a white patch in my armpit a month back. I am attaching a photo of this spot. This was diagnolized as a vitilago spot by a dermatologist. I am 40 years old and do have have this spot anywhere else on my body. Currently I am applying a tube given to me by my dermatologist. I also got my blood work done 3 weeks back and have no immune disease or thyroid issue. I am worried that this patch will spread to my extremities. I am trying to ask this question to a doctor who have treated patients with vitilago and what they think could be the cause of this patch to come and chances that this will spread to my extremities.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Vitiligo is unpredictable Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the query and photograph. It is definitely a vitiligo patch. It is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies are formed against melanin pigment. These antibodies destroy melanin and hence cause discoloration of skin. It is impossible to say with certainty whether this patch will increase in size or not. Also it is not possible to predict whether you will develop new patches as it is an autoimmune disorder. However effective treatment with steroids can prevent the disease from spreading. Please continue with the treatment. If the patch remains stable for two years and you dont develop any new patch, It can be said that you have stable vitiligo and you may not develop new patches. Let me know if you have any other doubts. Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (28 minutes later)

Thanks. Is there anyway to check if I have any immune disease ? As my recent blood work showed none. From your experience working on this have you seen patients have patches like this which stays stable ? People keep mentioning focal and generalized vitilago - which do you think this kind of patch falls into ? Also below were some things which happened in the last year and would like to know if there are chances any of this might have trigerred this as well : - Increased stress with work and personal like over the last year. - I have been having lot of bacteria issue with my wisdom teeth which is stuck. - I have had viral infection for couple of times recently where I had to take lot of flu medication.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (25 hours later)

Brief Answer: You have focal vitiligo Detailed Answer: Hello I have seen and treated hundreds of vitiligo patients. Most of them were stable. You have focal vitiligo, when only few patches are present, it is called as focal. There is no blood test or any other test to detect an auto immune disorder. It is diagnosed clinically and treated symptomatically. Stress doesnt initiate an autoimmune disease but it can aggravate the disease. Try to minimize both mental and physical stress. Take antioxidants daily. Dont worry you will recover soon. Let me know if you have any other doubts. Thank you

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. Vaishalee Punj