Vitiligo - what is it? Photos, causes and treatment, stages and myths, prognosis. What kind of disease is vitiligo? Vitiligo: initial symptoms, causes, types, treatment and prevention in adults and children Autoimmune diseases vitiligo

Vitiligo disease is a dermatological pathology in which areas of discolored skin appear on the body. White spots lack the pigment melanin. Their appearance does not cause discomfort to a person: there is no burning or itching in the affected areas. The disease is not life-threatening and does not cause complications. It is equally common among men and women. On earth, 8% of the total population suffers from vitiligo. Pathology debuts at a young age. In 20% of cases it is inherited. Today, the disease is successfully treated, and some patients experience spontaneous recovery.

With the development of vitiligo, the production of melanin, the skin pigment that provides the coloring of the integument, hair and iris of the eye, is disrupted. This is a minor function of the pigment; melanin must protect the cell nuclei of all layers of the epidermis from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation. The pigment is produced by special cells (melanocytes). The amino acid tyrosine is used as a raw material. It enters the human body with food and is then synthesized by the liver. In order for tyrosine to be able to transform into melanin, it is necessary that copper, zinc, iron, and manganese be included in the reaction of its production. All these components are found in liver enzymes.

It is not enough to synthesize melanin; it still needs to be delivered to the cells of the epidermis, hair and iris of the eye. This is done by melanocytes - special skin cells. Transport is regulated by hormones produced by the adrenal glands and pituitary gland. The sun's rays also take an active part in this process.

Various dysfunctions can provoke the appearance of white spots on the skin. It could be:

• disruption of blood microcirculation or disruptions in nervous regulation in a particular area;
• deficiency of copper and zinc, iron or manganese in the body;
• insufficient production of hormones that regulate melanin transport.

Scientists do not yet know what can provoke such phenomena. There are many theories explaining the reasons for the development of vitiligo. Among them:

1. Hereditary factor. A mutated NALP-1 gene was identified in 20% of patients. It is responsible for the disappearance of melanin transporter cells.
2. Autoimmune diseases. In some patients, immune cells recognize melanocytes as foreign objects, so they actively attack and destroy them. Other patients have antibodies against thyroid and stomach cells in their blood. Scientists suggest that they are similar to the cells responsible for transporting melanin to the upper layers of the integument. In third patients, high levels of proteins (cytokines) are detected in areas affected by vitiligo, which stimulate the immune system and shorten the lifespan of melanocytes, initiating their complete loss.
3. Self-destruction of melanocytes. This happens when exposed to a huge amount of toxins that appear in the human body after viral or bacterial infections or as a result of incorrect functioning of the peripheral nervous system. These dysfunctions cause the degeneration of melanocytes. Enzymes are introduced into them that destroy pigment cells from the inside.
4. Hormonal surges. It was already said above that the transport of melanin is controlled by hormones, so any disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system can lead to the appearance of symptoms of vitiligo.
5. Gastrointestinal diseases. They lead to a deficiency of microelements that are needed for melanin synthesis. Many patients have a malabsorption of zinc, copper, chromium, iron, and manganese.
6. Disorders of biochemical reactions occurring in the human body. This dysfunction leads to the accumulation of free radicals. They destroy melanocytes and discolor the skin.

Doctors identify factors that can provoke such phenomena into a special group. These include chronic diseases of the adrenal glands, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, ovaries, sunburn, helminthic infestations, frequent infections and permanent skin injuries.

Symptoms and signs of vitiligo

The main sign of the disease is the presence of pale pink or milky white spots on the body. The characteristics of the spots are the main diagnostic criteria for the pathology.

They are clearly displayed in the following table.

The disease develops in three stages:

1. At the first stage, one spot appears; it does not change its size for several months or even years. The skin discolors very slowly. During this period, many patients report a sensation similar to goosebumps.
2. At the second stage, new lesions appear and old spots grow. They can increase in diameter up to 10 cm or more.
3. At the third stage, the disease manifests itself unstable: new lesions appear in some areas of the body, while “old spots,” on the contrary, decrease in size or completely disappear.

Loss of melanin over the entire surface of the body is a very rare phenomenon.

Classification

Based on the location of the spots, vitiligo is divided into three forms:

1. Localized (segmental) - individual areas of the skin are discolored.
2. Generalized - discolored areas are scattered throughout the body.
3. Universal – about 80% of the entire skin is discolored.

By type of discoloration:

1. Tricolor vitiligo - the appearance of spots appears in the form of a three-color fill (discolored skin, healthy epidermis and an area of ​​​​medium pigmentation).
2. Four-color vitiligo - a zone of hyperpigmentation is added to the three-color spot.
3. Blue vitiligo - discolored spots with a bluish tint.
4. Inflamed vitiligo - discolored spots surrounded by a rim of inflammation. Its structure slightly rises above healthy and discolored skin.

Classification of the skin defect helps to develop therapeutic regimens.

Differential diagnosis

An experienced doctor is able to distinguish vitiligo from other skin pathologies by external clinical manifestations. Diagnosis of the disease is carried out on the basis of an initial examination and careful collection of anamnesis of the disease. The specialist, in a direct conversation, tries to find out from the patient when the first areas of discoloration appeared, what preceded their formation, how quickly the disease progresses, and whether there are any complaints about the general condition.

Vitiligo must be differentiated from total albinism, from lichen (simple and pityriasis versicolor), from psoriasis and neurodermatitis. The absence of any unpleasant sensations (burning, itching, peeling) or rash speaks in favor of vitiligo. Vitiligo spots do not appear on the palms and soles; areas of discoloration occur mainly on exposed areas of the body. They constantly expand towards the periphery and merge with each other. In discolored areas of the body, sebum production and sweating are noticeably reduced. The number of spots increases in spring and summer.

During the examination, the doctor must examine the condition of the skin under a Wood's lamp. It allows you to see new areas of discoloration that are not yet visible in normal daylight. This test is used to make predictions about the further development of pathology.

Afterwards, the patient undergoes a full diagnostic examination to identify the reasons for the appearance of vitiligo symptoms.

Traditional treatment for vitiligo

There are no universal drug treatment regimens. Tactics are developed in each specific case, taking into account the existing symptoms. A complex therapy is selected that will eliminate the manifestations of the disease and the changes that led to its debut.

For systemic treatment, the following are usually prescribed:

1. Corticosteroids (Prednisolone, Betamethasone), which suppress immune aggression aimed at destroying melanocytes.
2. Antimalarial drugs (“Hydroxychloroquine”, “Chloroquine diphosphate”), which have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. They suppress free radicals and protect against the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation.
3. Immunomodulators (“Polyoxidonium”, “Cyclosporin A”), suppressing the immune attack on melanocytes.
4. Agents that stimulate liver metabolism (Essentiale, Karsil) help restore liver cells and improve the functioning of the organ as a whole.
5. Digestive enzymes (“Creon”, “Enzistal”), compensating for the lack of digestive juices, improving the process of absorption of nutrients.
6. Vitamin complexes (thiamine, ascorbic acid, folic acid, tocopherol acetate), improving metabolic processes, providing cellular nutrition, normalizing the production of enzymes.
7. Zinc and iron preparations (“Zinkovital”, “Iron glycerophosphate”), stimulating the production of enzymes involved in the synthesis and transport of melanin.
8. Photosensitizers (“Psoralen”, “Beroxan”), stimulating the production of melanin and increasing the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet radiation.

For local treatment of discolored spots the following are prescribed:

1. Corticosteroid ointments (“Fluorocort”, “Polcortolone”).
2. Calcineurin inhibitors (Protopic, Elidel).
3. Products that stimulate melanin production (Melagenin lotion).
4. Creams that help whiten skin (Monobeson).
5. Concealing cosmetics that help color discolored spots (Viticolor gel, Drula Pigment cream).

To enhance the therapeutic effect, physiotherapy procedures are used:

1. Puva therapy. It is carried out as follows: the patient takes special photosensitizers orally, then they are applied to the skin in the form of lotions, after a few hours the discolored areas of the skin are irradiated. A mercury-quartz lamp is used for this.
2. Therapy with narrow-wave lamps. During this procedure, the skin is exposed to short-term radiation (light wavelength 312 nm).
3. Excimer laser. The procedure allows you to accelerate metabolic processes occurring in the cells of the affected epidermis, which stimulates the production of enzymes involved in the synthesis of melanin.

Each procedure has its own contraindications, so before prescribing, all existing risks are weighed.

Traditional medicine recipes for vitiligo

Doctors recommend that many of their patients try acupuncture sessions. During their implementation, reflex points are activated, which can stimulate many metabolic processes. It was noticed that after ten procedures the patients experienced self-healing.

Herbal medicine also helps. Healing plants grow in nature, the effect of which is to stimulate the production of melanin pigment. These include small duckweed, mountain arnica, and psoralea drupe. The components of their juices have an immunomodulatory effect and normalize the function of melanocytes. Juices, decoctions and infusions should be taken orally. They can be mixed with butter and made into ointments for external treatment of stains. Mountain arnica tincture is sold in pharmacies.

Surgery

Radical methods are used when other methods fail to achieve positive dynamics, when white areas of skin bring severe moral discomfort to the patient.

In this case, the problem can be solved in different ways:

1. Segmental extraction of the depigmented area and replacement of it with a healthy flap of skin.
2. Transplantation of micrografts (healthy areas of the epidermis several millimeters in size) onto bleached surfaces.
3. Transplantation of cultured epidermis (artificially grown in laboratory conditions from cells of a sick patient).
4. Transplantation of melanocytes (cultured and uncultured).

When choosing a radical method of treatment, you need to be prepared for the fact that even limited surgical intervention can provoke the formation of scars, lead to the formation of a cobblestone effect (uneven pigmentation), and the emergence of the phenomenon of Kobnerization (exacerbation of pathology). Any operation described above is dangerous because after its completion, implant rejection may begin.

Consequences of vitiligo

Vitiligo does not pose a direct threat to human health. The pathology does not affect internal organs and does not cause severe physical discomfort.

However, it is necessary to monitor its development. This will help prevent unwanted complications from occurring. Among them:

1. Visual impairment. It occurs when there is a violation of the pigmentation of the iris of the eye. Such patients may experience photophobia and nystagmus (uncontrolled fluctuation of the pupils).
2. Mental disorders. They arise when a person’s self-esteem drops due to the appearance of white spots and he becomes depressed. It can lead to an exacerbation of the disease. A vicious circle arises, which cannot be broken without the help of specialists.
3. Skin cancer. It develops when the lack of melanin leads to mutation of epidermal cells.

A timely visit to a dermatologist can help prevent the development of an undesirable scenario.

Prevention methods

There is no specific prevention of vitiligo, but there are a number of recommendations that can help reduce the risks of the dysfunctions described in the article. Doctors recommend:

1. Eat right, include in your diet foods that can compensate for the lack of microelements necessary for the production of melanin.
2. Monitor the health of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Take care of your dental health.
4. Prevent helminthic infestations.
5. To live an active lifestyle.
6. Constantly strengthen your immune system.
7. Develop stress resistance.
8. Avoid uncontrolled use of any medications.

When the first symptoms of vitiligo appear, seek help from a dermatologist.

Thank you

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

Vitiligo spots are a fairly common problem. In different countries, 1-8% of the population lives with this pathology. The disorder is more common in people with dark skin, rich in melanin. In Africa and South Asian countries, the number of patients exceeds 8%, while in Europe it is only about 1.5%.

The disease is equally common among men and women. The onset of the disease mainly occurs in young people, rarely after 40 years. In 20% of cases, the disease is inherited. A well-known example is vitiligo in Michael Jackson and his eldest son.

From some doctors you can hear the verdict “vitiligo cannot be cured.” This is wrong. It is impossible to rid a person of the tendency to develop spots, but you can restore pigmentation in damaged areas of the skin and its color will even out. You must be prepared for the fact that vitiligo treatment takes a long time; the process can take from 6 months to several years. At the same time, spontaneous self-healing occurs in 5% of adults and 30% of children of patients.

Skin anatomy

How does melanin production occur?

Melanin is produced in special cells melanocytes from the amino acid tyrosine, which comes from food and is synthesized in the liver. In order for tyrosine to turn into melanin, the presence of copper, zinc, iron and manganese, which are part of the enzymes that participate in this process, is necessary.

The melanocyte has the appearance of a tree. Its “branches” transport melanin, enclosed in melanosome organelles, into the surrounding epidermal cells. The transport process is controlled by adrenocorticotropic hormone, melanostimulating hormone and exposure to sunlight.

Disturbances in the release of melanin can be associated with various factors:

• impaired blood circulation and nervous regulation in this area of ​​the skin;


• deficiency of copper, zinc and other trace elements;


• lack of adrenocorticotropic hormone of the anterior pituitary gland and melanostimulating hormone of the adrenal glands.

Causes of vitiligo

Predisposing factors

• Stress– disrupt the innervation of the skin


• Chronic diseases of the endocrine glands– pituitary gland, adrenal glands, thyroid gland, pancreas, ovaries. Hormonal imbalance disrupts the formation of enzymes in melanocytes.


• Sunburn damage the basal layer of the epidermis.


• Skin contact with chemicals leads to chemical and allergic damage to melanocytes.


• Frequent injury and chafing of the skin - damage to epidermal cells that do not have time to recover.


• Infection with worms causes disruption of digestion and absorption of nutrients. At the same time, the immune system malfunctions. It manifests itself in impaired maturation of lymphocytes, which leads to the release of enzymes that damage melanocytes.


• Frequent infections– can provoke immune failure and an autoimmune attack on melanocytes.

Concomitant diseases that often occur in parallel with vitiligo

• Thyroid diseases



• B12 deficiency anemia

Symptoms of vitiligo

Initial stage of vitiligo characterized by the appearance of one or more small spots. The skin may become discolored gradually over several months as the melanocytes gradually stop functioning. In some cases, spots appear suddenly, over several hours. Rarely, the appearance of a lesion is preceded by mild itching or a crawling sensation. Sometimes, before discoloration, the skin turns pink - “vitiligo pink”.

With progression vitiligo the spots increase in size to 10 cm or more. In some patients, the loss of melanin occurs over the entire surface of the skin.

Characteristics of vitiligo spots:

Classification of vitiligo

1. According to the location of the spots

• Localized form - spots are located on separate parts of the body. Less than 10% of patients.


• Generalized form - spots can be located on any area. About 80% of cases.


• Universal form - over 80% of the body is covered with spots. In 10% of patients.

1. By type of stains

• Tricolor – between bleached and healthy skin there is a zone of medium pigmentation.


• Quadricolor – A tricolor spot is surrounded by a zone of hyperpigmentation.


• Blue - the spot has a bluish tint.


• Inflamed - the spot is surrounded by a rim of inflammation raised above the skin.

Stages of vitiligo

• Stable - after the first spot appears, it remains unchanged for several months or years.


• Progressive - active or slow growth of spots and the appearance of new lesions occurs.


• Unstable - some spots grow, repigmentation occurs in other areas, and they decrease or disappear.

Diagnosis of vitiligo

The diagnosis of vitiligo is made based on examination of the patient and medical history. At the appointment, the doctor asks a number of questions:

• When did the spots appear?


• What preceded their appearance?


• How quickly does the disease progress?


• Do you feel itching and burning?


• Does the patient suffer from autoimmune and rheumatoid diseases?

Wood's lamp examination

The lamp is made of black glass and emits a weak ultraviolet glow. Type A fluorescent rays cause vitiligo spots to glow blue.

Treatment of vitiligo

• elimination of cosmetic defects;


• complex therapy aimed at eliminating changes in the body that could lead to the development of the disease.

Drug treatment of vitiligo

Vitiligo treatment products for topical use

Physiotherapy for vitiligo

Properties - these drugs increase the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet radiation and thus stimulate the formation of melanin during irradiation. At the same time, the immune system is suppressed and the division of epidermal cells slows down.
Irradiation scheme

Drugs used in PUVA therapy

• pregnancy and breastfeeding



• malignant skin neoplasms


• cataract


• severe stage of cardiac, pulmonary and renal failure


• childhood


• individual intolerance to photosensitizers

Contraindications

• lupus erythematosus


• acute infectious diseases


• chronic diseases in the stage of decompensation

• red - wavelength 0.67 µm


• infrared – wavelength 0.89 microns

• neoplasms in irradiated areas


• active tuberculosis



• decompensated diabetes


• pulmonary and heart failure stage 3

Surgical treatment of vitiligo

• Flap autoplasty– transplantation of healthy skin epidermis to a depigmented area. Before transplantation, the graft is treated with ultraviolet light to improve engraftment.
• Autologous mini-grafts– micrografts are transplanted onto the foci of depigmentation. These are areas of the epidermis several square millimeters in size, taken from the healthy skin of the same patient. They subsequently stimulate pigment production in the surrounding melanocytes.


• Transplantation of cultured epidermis. In laboratory conditions, a transplant is grown from the patient’s cells, which will be transplanted into the place of the depigmented one.


• Transplantation cultured and uncultured melanocytes. Individual melanocytes from the patient are planted into the epidermis of the lesion. They are selected from healthy areas of the skin or grown in laboratory conditions.



“Vitiligo before and after photos” will help evaluate the effectiveness of surgical treatment.



Indications

• Foci of vitiligo in which it is not possible to restore pigmentation by other methods.


• The spots are located on the face and other open areas of the body and cause psychological discomfort in the patient.
Mandatory conditions for surgery for vitiligo
• No stain growth for at least 2 years.


• White spots of vitiligo are resistant to conservative treatment (UV irradiation and laser).
Consequences and complications of surgical treatment of vitiligo
• Scar formation.


• Cobblestone effect – uneven pigmentation.


• The phenomenon of Kobnerization - the immune system perceives any damage to the skin as an injury and responds by exacerbating the disease.


• Unsuccessful transplantation – implant rejection.

Traditional methods of treating vitiligo

1. Acupuncture– insertion of needles into reflex points helps to normalize the processes occurring in the body, eliminating the cause of the disease. There is no scientific evidence of the effectiveness of this method, so it is classified as an alternative treatment method. However, vitiligo reviews indicate that in a large number of patients it was possible to stop the progression of the disease and cause the spots to reverse.
• Classical acupuncture – influencing reflex points located on the body.


• Zhenjiu therapy is a combination of acupuncture and cauterization of points.


• Sujok – influence on the reflex points of the feet and hands.


• Auripunktura – stimulation of reflex points of the auricle.

Treatment of vitiligo requires at least 10 sessions. The effectiveness of the method largely depends on the professionalism and experience of the reflexologist.

2. Herbal medicine– the use of medicinal plants that stimulate pigment production and improve the functioning of the body as a whole.



Nutrition for vitiligo (diet)

Nutrition for vitiligo is an additional condition for recovery. The diet has several goals:


The menu includes products that are a source of nutrients.
1. Ascorbic acid– rose hips, sweet peppers, cherries, sea buckthorn, black currants, dill, wild garlic, kiwi, strawberries, citrus fruits.

2. B vitamins



• B1 – meat, nuts, cereals, yeast, rye bread


• B2 – eggs, dairy products, meat, whole grain products


• B3 – dairy products, seafood, eggs, legumes, potatoes


• B6 – organ meats, fish, brown rice, soybeans, oil


• B9 – animal liver, whole grains, green vegetables


• B12 – meat, liver, poultry, milk
3. Copper– fish, seafood, shrimp, cod liver, beef liver, cheese, legumes, leafy vegetables.

4. Iron- beef, pork, horse meat, greens, especially parsley, bran, cabbage, yeast, chocolate, oatmeal.

5. Zinc– oysters, meat, fish, liver, eggs, chicken hearts, sesame seeds, pine nuts, peanuts, plant seeds (pumpkin, sunflower), cereals.

6. Iodine– baked potatoes, prunes, sea fish, seaweed, turkey breast, cheese, eggs, bananas, strawberries.

7. Chrome– sea fish, river carp, shrimp, liver, duck meat, beets.

8. Manganese– nuts, mushrooms, liver, garlic, leafy vegetables.

9. Photodynamic substances– parsnip leaves, nettle greens, sorrel, celery, parsley and spinach, buckwheat, figs and rose hips.

10. Amino acid tyrosine, from which melanin is synthesized - pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, almonds, beans, bananas, avocados, dairy products.

Exclude from the diet:

• spicy dishes


• fatty, fried, smoked


• industrially prepared canned food


• mayonnaise and other sauces (horseradish, mustard, ketchup)


• margarine, butter with added vegetable fats


• sour fruits and berries – cranberries, lemons


• confectionery with cream


• coffee, strong tea


• alcohol

Vitiligo in children

Vitiligo in children the most common skin pigmentation disorder. 25% of vitiligo patients are children under 10 years of age. Many doctors consider this pathology in children as a temporary phenomenon that does not require treatment.

The disease can occur at any age, but vitiligo does not occur in newborns. They have white spots on the skin that are manifestations of other pathologies.

Causes of vitiligo in children remain incompletely studied. Possible development factors include:

• immaturity of the endocrine and nervous system;


• skin injuries;


• diseases of the endocrine glands, especially the pituitary-adrenal system and the thyroid gland;


• malabsorption in intestinal diseases;


• autoimmune diseases leading to damage to melanocytes;


• hereditary disease.

Symptoms of vitiligo in children

• Round or irregularly shaped lesions are pale pink or white in color with clear boundaries.


• Discoloration of hair inside the lesions. On fresh stains, the hair retains its original color.


• The spots are located around the eyes, mouth, arms and legs, and around the genitals.


• The skin of the lesions is clean, without scales, crusts or rashes. Their appearance indicates the addition of a secondary infection.


• Within the spots there may be areas of hyperpigmentation that resemble freckles. Their presence often indicates the restoration of melanocytes.

Diagnosis of vitiligo in children

The doctor can easily make a diagnosis based on examination using a Wood's lamp.

Treatment of vitiligo in children aimed at restoring the normal functioning of the body.


Group of drugs	Mechanism of action	Representatives	Mode of application
Copper preparations	Copper salts activate the enzyme tyrosinase, which ensures the formation of melanin.	0.1% copper sulfate solution	3-10 drops 3 times a day after meals for 1-2 months.
Zinc preparations	Zinc is part of the enzymes that ensure the vital activity of melanocytes. Normalizes the functioning of the immune system.	Zincteral	Children over 4 years old: 1 tablet per day. Duration of treatment is 1-2 months.
Iron supplements	Iron is an important part of enzymes and hemoglobin. Additional iron intake improves skin nutrition and promotes pigment synthesis.	Iron glycerophosphate	0.3-0.5 g 2-3 times a day. Take with ascorbic acid after meals. Duration of treatment is 3-6 months.
B vitamins – B3, B6, B12.	Vitamins are components of enzymes. They also play the role of antioxidants - they normalize redox processes in cells. Protects them from damage by free radicals. Improves the condition and functioning of the nervous system. B12 improves skin condition.	B3 (nicotinic acid)	0.005-0.03 g 2-3 times a day after meals. Duration of treatment is 3 weeks.
		B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)	0.01-0.02 g per day after meals. Preferably simultaneously with cyanocobalamin and folic acid. The course of treatment is 4-6 weeks.
		AT 12 ( cyanocobalamin)	15-30 mcg every other day intramuscularly or subcutaneously for 3-4 weeks.
Ascorbic acid	Normalizes redox processes, vascular permeability and immune function.	Ascorbic acid	0.05-0.1 g 1-2 times a day for 2-3 weeks.
Furocoumarin compounds in combination with ultraviolet radiation	Increases sensitivity to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation.	Beroxan	0.02 g 1 - 4 times a day. The technique is described above. The dosage of drugs is selected according to the age of the child. PUVA therapy is contraindicated in children under 5 years of age.

The main treatment for vitiligo in children is UV therapy with narrowband lamps. According to studies conducted Russian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education In 6% of treated children, remission occurs (disappearance of spots), and improvement (reduction in affected area) occurs in 78% of children. While drug treatment was effective in 60% of children, complete remission was not observed in the study group.

Most pediatric dermatologists believe that treatment of vitiligo for children under 4 years of age is not advisable, since at an early age there is a high percentage of self-healing.

Do people with vitiligo get drafted into the army?

The fitness category of a conscript is determined by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated July 4, 2013 N 565 “On approval of the Regulations on military medical examination.” “Schedule of Diseases” article 62 paragraph D states that patients with a common form of vitiligo are exempt from conscription with the wording “limited suitability”».
Symptoms of the common form:
• 3 or more spots of depigmentation on different parts of the body. Each spot is at least 10 cm in size.


• 2 or more lesions on the face with a diameter of at least 3 cm each.
To receive an exemption from conscription, a conscript must provide a medical examination at the military registration and enlistment office with a corresponding conclusion from Dermatovenerological dispensary. In the document the stage of the disease must be clearly indicated - “widespread vitiligo”, since with localized vitiligo you can serve in the army.

Vilitigo is a not fully understood dermatological disease; its most striking manifestation is a noticeable white color of the skin in the form of spots. This fading is due to the fact that the melanin pigment begins to disappear from the skin. The disease is not fatal, but it causes a lot of trouble.

Causes

At first it was believed that vitiligo could be caused not only by a virus, but also by an infection. Penetrating under the skin, the virus begins to affect the subcutaneous layer, destroying melanin, from the lack of which the skin begins to lighten and vitiligo spots appear. Neuropsychic stress, severe emotional trauma and, especially, spinal cord disease can lead to such an illness. The most common causes of vitiligo are:

The most common place for vitiligo to appear is in areas of the skin that are regularly irritated because tight shoes harm the foot, a heavy backpack tightens the skin on the shoulders, and a tight belt rubs the skin. In all these places, active infection can begin, the skin will become dry, and then begin to fade.

The infection is exclusively acquired by the carrier and is not genetically transmitted; vitiligo occurs very rarely in children. Middle-aged people are most vulnerable to it; teenagers are rarely infected. Currently, cases of infection have decreased, but environmental harmful factors and frequent stress increase the risk of vitiligo. In the skin, the pigment melanin is responsible for the rich color of the skin and its healthy appearance, which is why vitiligo, destroying this pigment, immediately appears in the form of spots.

Symptoms

When the disease occurs, melanin begins to disappear from the skin, so specific spots are formed: oval or more oblong, the spots grow as the disease progresses. Vitiligo on the face is visible very clearly: the skin becomes thinner and more delicate. As a rule, such spots have a bright white color, they are noticeable even on light skin, the border of the formation is clearly visible.

The stages of vitiligo are characterized by the width of the spots and their distribution. The spots do not protrude above the skin; to the touch they are practically indistinguishable from healthy areas; there are no scaly formations. Rarely there are more spots inside the spots. The lesion expands and can merge with other spots into long, oblong lines. In rare cases, if the condition is not treated, the patches cover most of the skin.

The spots can appear on any part of the skin, even on the eyebrows and exposed areas of the head, and are often found on the genitals; they can appear between the buttocks or on the outside of the genitals, so they can be mistaken for a sexually transmitted disease. If the disease affects areas of the skin covered with hair, then they first lighten and then fade altogether. Tanning will not help hide such spots. The skin in infected areas does not change color. For large stains, this may affect sweat production. Other skin diseases may develop in affected areas of vitiligo, such as:

• porphyrin disease;
• scleroderma;
• white skin atrophy;
• nest baldness.

The disease of vitiligo occurs chronically, at first almost invisible spots appear, which spread more and more over time. Therapy does not have a strong effect on them; the disease can develop over months or years. Scrapings taken from the site of the lesion indicate the absence of melanin, while the edges of the lesion contain them in excess. The body perceives the disease as an allergy and begins to produce the necessary antibodies, but they do not act on the disease.

How to diagnose

In a hospital, a doctor can easily diagnose vitiligo, but it is better, of course, to donate blood and scrapings for analysis. The lesion does not contain melanin pigment; it is concentrated at its border, within a range above normal. Some diseases can also manifest themselves as similar spots:

• similar spots can cause sexually transmitted diseases, especially during syphilis. They often give additional symptoms, itching in the anus and irritation of the mucous membrane;
• lichen versicolor can also leave characteristic spots that disappear over time. At the site of formation of such spots, vitiligo may develop, then the skin will quickly lighten;
• leprosy forms light patches, not as light as vitiligo, but can spread widely. An important feature of leprosy is that the places where it is affected are devoid of sensitivity: with strong pressure, the skin does not react.

To clarify, you need to take the appropriate tests to the laboratory and consult with a dermatologist.

Photo

The photo of vitiligo clearly shows how the disease is expressed.

Celebrity photos

In the photo of vitiligo, the spots are clearly visible. Vitiligo also affects celebrities. Such famous people as Michael Jackson and Lee Thomas suffered from it, and Chanel Brown Young is a model with vitiligo, although the disease did not interfere with her career.

How to cure

There is no ideal treatment method; each organism works differently. There are very rare cases where spots simply disappear over time. Treatment of vitiligo is a long process that requires constant monitoring, otherwise you can return to the initial stage of the disease. It is not always possible to completely get rid of the disease; you can stop the spread of spots and make them smaller. The most effective options for curing vitiligo:

• the most important thing is to restore the patient’s normal metabolism; for this, various drugs are used that improve the metabolic process. Preparations containing melanin pigment are prescribed;
• the affected areas are treated with alcohol;
• It is most effective to carry out ultraviolet irradiation of the affected tissues along with the procedures; before this, they are treated with a special preparation;
• PUVA therapy uses ultraviolet light to inject various drugs, hormones and medications under the skin. They provide rapid local treatment;
• If local treatment is used, do not lubricate the eye area and eyelids with special solutions.

Children under 5 years of age are more difficult to treat; most drugs are contraindicated for them. For people with weak immunity and complex chronic diseases, as well as the elderly, most drugs can be harmful. The first course of therapy lasts a month, then repeated courses are prescribed by the doctor. They can be carried out throughout life or until the disease is cured.

Hormonal drugs have a positive effect on the body, when paired with vitamins E and A. But only a doctor can prescribe hormones and only after undergoing tests. How to treat vitiligo and with what, only a specialist can determine. A group of hormones for the adrenal cortex most actively slows down the spread of the disease. This group is contraindicated for people who have the following diseases:

• hypertension, as well as heart disease;
• skin diseases;
• diabetes;
• osteoporosis;
• tuberculosis;
• diseases manifested by purulent formation;
• diseases associated with the stomach.

Since a group of hormones is prohibited, alternative drugs can be used.

Therapy for the treatment of vitiligo is being improved and new drugs are being tested, but the most effective treatment for all types of the disease is always a timely visit to the doctor. While the disease is just beginning to develop, it is much easier to cure. To eliminate a cosmetic defect, use vitiligo cream. It does not completely hide stains, but is very effective. The ointment will help the skin smooth out a little and breathe again. You can also treat with folk remedies, but this helps very rarely; they mainly use decoctions and ointments, but they, like other drugs, only slow down the disease. The photo before and after treatment for vitiligo shows the use of ointments and creams after courses of therapy, but not everyone can be completely cured with such means.

Photos of treatment before and after

See photos before and after treatment.

Treatment with folk remedies

Treatment of vitiligo using traditional methods is quite possible; natural-based tinctures and creams are used. The following methods are the most effective, although they do not guarantee 100% results:

• St. John's wort oil. St. John's wort is dried, then it needs to be crushed and put in a jar, filled with vegetable-based oil. The product must be infused for at least two weeks. This tincture has a weak effect due to its low concentration, but it’s still worth a try;
• strongly concentrated St. John's wort oil. Only St. John's wort flowers are taken, without stems and foliage. The jar is filled with them tightly and to the top, leaving a couple of centimeters to close the lid. Next, oil is poured in; you can use not only sunflower oil, but also, for example, sea buckthorn. The mixture should be infused in the sun or in a warm place for two weeks. The tincture gives a more significant effect due to its high concentration;
• black cumin oil. This oil can be rubbed in as a ready-made tincture; it has good properties, is useful not only for the skin, but also relieves fatigue. Black cumin oil can be found in pharmacies or cosmetic stores;
• swamp duckweed tincture. Swamp duckweed has a number of healing properties; it contains iodine and bromine salt, which have a positive effect on the body. To prepare such a tincture, you need to use duckweed itself and vodka. First, the duckweed is washed under the tap and placed in a jar. For one teaspoon of duckweed you need to take 50 grams. vodka, you can use alcohol, but slightly diluted. After pouring, the tincture stands for a week in a dark place. Then you need to strain the product through cheesecloth. Use no more than 20 drops of tincture per glass of water and use it every day;
• black pepper. Ground black pepper has not only taste, but also healing properties. Scientists have proven that pepper can be used to treat vitiligo, thanks to the piperine it contains, it has a positive effect on the skin. Apply ground pepper to damaged dry skin and rub in a little. After 20 minutes on the skin, it can be washed off;
• ointment for vitiligo from sulsen. You can find sulsena ointment in a pharmacy or cosmetics store; sulsena paste is also used as an alternative. It is best to buy 2% ointment, apply the product to problem areas for half an hour, then wipe thoroughly;
• ground sesame. Sesame has a good effect on the skin, but it must be taken internally. Sesame grains are ground through a blender or coffee grinder; in the morning and evening you need to eat a teaspoon of ground sesame powder. The effect will become noticeable when yellow shades appear on the spots. Within a month, vitiligo can be cured completely, after which you should stop eating sesame;
• onion and garlic. Garlic and onions are effective against vitiligo spots, cut into two parts and rubbed onto the spots for five minutes, several times a day. You need to alternate onions and garlic, rub one day, another the other.

You can use several methods at once, the main thing is to find out what helps best and use them only after consulting a doctor.

People who have completed courses of treatment and those who have just started left their reviews about the treatment of vitiligo on various medical forums. This practice is very important: those who have been struggling with the disease for years tell what helped them most effectively and what was just a waste of time. It is very informative and useful for those who have recently become ill to read such reviews. If we talk about a disease like vitiligo, everyone’s recovery stories are very important for people who are just starting to fight the disease.

What is vitiligo disease? This is a disease, the main symptom of which is white spots on the face, hands and other areas of the skin. This happens due to a decrease in melanin content on fragments of the skin. To date, dermatologists have not been able to accurately determine the nature of the disease. It can be inherited from parents or obtained due to exposure to chemicals and medications. Let's look at the main causes, symptoms and consequences of vitiligo.

Causes

Researchers believe that vitiligo skin spots are formed due to a disruption in the production of melanin in the melanocytes of the skin. This process can be predicted, since such destruction has its own reasons.

Due to little knowledge of this disease, many patients, having received the appropriate diagnosis, ask the question “vitiligo, what is it?” In medical practice there is another name for this pathology. White patches on the skin are called leucoderma. Translated from Latin, it means white skin. The disease has very ancient roots; previously such people were considered to have leprosy.

Statistics say that this disease affects up to 1% of the world's population. Researchers have not been able to establish the exact causes of infection, but pathology is not picky in choosing a victim. Both representatives of the Negroid and Caucasian races suffer from vitiligo. On dark skin, blemish marks look much more noticeable. More than half of the cases of disease development occur in the age period from ten to thirty years.

During the research, scientists were able to establish that such a disease can manifest itself in people who, due to their professional duties, interact with chemicals. It is worth noting that all these are theories and versions, but in practice, the skin disease is poorly understood and scientists do not have enough information about the exact mechanism of operation and the reasons for the appearance of white spots.

Symptoms of the disease

Vitiligo on hands

Vitiligo, the symptoms of which become noticeable from the first day, are expressed in white spots on the skin with clearly defined boundaries. Qualified dermatologists identify several areas where blemishes occur most often:

• Around the mouth;
• In the ear area;
• Near the eyes and nose;
• On the arms and legs;
• In the groin and anus area;
• In men, they can appear on the head and in the beard area, specifically on the hairline of the body;

News in the treatment of vitiligo 2016

Despite the clearly described appearance, the spots that appear on the skin can have different characters and characteristics. The skin disease vitiligo can manifest itself as:

• Bluish tint of spots;
• There is slight swelling and elevation in the area of ​​the spot;
• The spots have pronounced pigmentation and are noticeably different from the general complexion;
• The contour between the infected skin area and the healthy one is clearly defined.

Speaking about other symptoms of skin disease, it should be noted that vitiligo can manifest itself as a complication or consequence of one of the ailments:

• Nest-type baldness;
• Choreoretinitis;
• Lightening or graying of hair may appear on the affected areas of the skin;
• Scleroderma;
• Psoriasis;
• Flat ;
• Chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;

In addition, there is no sweating on the affected areas of the skin, the ability to feel cold and respond to pain is reduced. Particular attention should be paid to the functioning of the liver and kidneys, since when affected by the disease, it is much more difficult for the body to fight toxins.

The most serious problem for patients remains their appearance and cosmetic skin problems. Doctors do not recommend that such people spend a lot of time in the open sun, because the diagnosis becomes more noticeable on tanned skin.

Stages of vitiligo

To date, researchers have identified several stages of the disease. Here are the main ones:

• Progressive. This is indicated by the rapid growth of the spot, as well as the resumption of an increase in the volume of old depigmented areas. New lesions may appear very slowly, for example, new ones will begin to form around one spot within three months. Dermatologists note that vitiligo usually develops slowly, but there have been cases when the patient’s body became covered with spots in a matter of days.
• Initial. At this time, one single spot may appear on the skin. Depending on how the disease progresses, the initial stage will develop into one of the other stages of the disease.
• Stationary. It implies the presence of one spot in a sick person, which does not decrease in growth and does not spread lesions to other areas. At this time, the person is under the supervision of a dermatologist, who will immediately record a shift in vitiligo in a positive or negative direction.
• Repigmentation. Such cases are extremely rare. The spots completely disappear from the skin, but this happens due to the spontaneous adoption of special medications prescribed by a dermatologist. Cases of complete healing are extremely rare and experts have not yet established a universal medicine that would work with 100% accuracy.

Types of vitiligo

Many doctors and researchers still cannot answer all the questions about what vitiligo is, but in their study they have identified a classification of spots and other changes that appear on the skin. These include:

• Mixed form, when several forms of the disease are combined, for example acrofascial, vulgar or segmental;
• Total, when the total volume of affected skin is up to 80%;
• Vulgar, when the spots are spread over all parts of the body;
• Acrofascial, in which spots appear only on the face or limbs;
• In mucosal leukoderma, only mucosal areas of the body are affected;
• Segmental is concentrated in a specific area, for example, the head;
• The focal form implies a small number of spots that are dispersed in different areas.

Let us pay attention to the fact that despite the defectiveness of the affected areas and the disruption of a number of processes, the skin does not dry out or peel off. Based on the types of stains, four types can be distinguished:

• Spots of three colors that have a clear outline and boundaries;
• Spots of four colors with an outline;
• Spots that have a blue tint;
• The boundaries of the spots are slightly raised.

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnosis of vitiligo is made based on the clinical picture of the disease, a patient interview and a doctor’s examination. If there are few spots and the disease is difficult to establish, then the person may be referred for a biopsy to obtain additional data.

The results of the study will demonstrate the level of melanocytes and record changes in collagen fibers. It is these two indicators that clearly indicate that a person has vitiligo. In order to give an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to exclude other diseases, for example:

• Albinism;
• Melanoma;
• Atopic dermatitis;
• Leucoderma for syphilis;
• Trichophytosis;

If signs of the disease are detected, you need to seek help from a doctor and establish an accurate diagnosis, after which the patient will be prescribed comprehensive treatment. Despite the absence of physical discomfort from the disease, vitiligo can be harmful to a person and has an impressive list of consequences if treatment is ignored.

Consequences of the disease

One of the main problems associated with the disease is psychological pressure. Vitiligo is known to cause spots on the face, hands and body. Because of this, a person feels constant shame, develops self-doubt, complexes, depression and apathy. The patient tries not to go out and avoids people. They are haunted by constant stress and bad mood.

Speaking about the physical harm that the disease will bring, we can mention disruption of the thyroid gland. Doctors have drawn a clear parallel and found that spots appear on the skin several months before a serious hormonal imbalance occurs in the body.

If the disease is not treated, it can worsen due to stress and a general depressed psychological state. There have been cases where the number of spots increased due to severe stress experienced.

Treatment of vitiligo

If a person has white spots on his skin, the first thing he should do is consult a dermatologist. He will prescribe the necessary medications, establish the stage and nature of the development of vitiligo and give all the necessary advice on treatment. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis, because vitiligo can be confused with other skin diseases, and improper treatment will only aggravate the situation and may cause harm to the patient.

To date, there is no medicine that could eliminate all the consequences of the disease on the skin. Treatment of vitiligo is carried out with the help of antioxidants and is aimed at preventing the development of spots and reducing their visibility. Immunomodulators are often prescribed, which have a positive effect on the human immune system.

Depending on the number and nature of the spots, the doctor may refer the person to ultraviolet irradiation of the skin, which is carried out in doses. The list of procedures includes PUVA therapy and laser treatment of the skin. In medical practice, there have been cases when they tried to cure this disease surgically by transplanting melanocytes grown in the laboratory onto the affected area. You can wipe the skin with alcohol tinctures of various medicinal plants prescribed by a dermatologist.

Dermatologists recommend that patients with vitiligo take hormonal medications, vitamin complexes, as well as vitamins A and E. They can get the disease moving and show good results. However, before taking hormonal drugs, you need to visit an endocrinologist who will examine the person, prescribe the necessary drug, the use of which without exceeding the dosage will not harm. Self-medication is fraught with complications that will cause much more trouble to the body than vitiligo.

Endocrinologists recommend taking hormonal medications belonging to the group of adrenal hormones for vitiligo. It is worth taking special care in taking them, dosage and duration of the course, so as not to harm the body even more. This concerns primarily young children and adolescents, whose bodies continue to form and develop ( approx.

One of the strangest and most unexplored phenomena in medicine today is, perhaps, the disease vitiligo, which occurs when the melanin pigment, which is responsible for the color of the skin, is destroyed. This disease is classified as immune leukoderma. As this pathology develops, some areas of the skin become colorless, which visually appears as white spots. The disease can develop regardless of age and can even occur in children.

Modern science and the highest technologies are unable to provide answers to some questions related to vitiligo, for example, whether the disease affects the internal organs of a person and what is the mechanism of development of the disease. This article will tell you what causes this pathological process and whether vitiligo can be cured.

Reasons for the development of this pathology

The disease is not congenital, but occurs during a person’s life. The development of vitiligo is influenced by many internal and external causes, but dark-skinned people are more susceptible to it.

The main provoking reasons are the following:

• the development of autoimmune processes, that is, damage to healthy tissues of the body by antibodies;
• genetic predisposition;
• brown eyes (it has been scientifically proven that those with dark eyes have a higher risk of developing vitiligo than people with blue or green eyes);
• disruption of the functionality of the endocrine system;
• dysfunction of the endocrine system;
• injuries affecting the skin, such as burns;
• prolonged exposure to aggressive sunlight;
• long-term use of medications;
• low quality cosmetics;
• exposure to aggressive chemicals on the skin;
• gastrointestinal diseases.

Read about whether vitiligo is contagious and how it is transmitted.

In addition to treatment, patients with vitiligo may need help on a psychological level, since this pathology has a depressing effect on the patient, causing a feeling of inferiority and depression.

Treatment of this disease

There are many methods for treating this pathology, but each of them takes a long period of time and does not guarantee a permanent effect. Therefore, many simply mask the spots with foundation.

At the first manifestations of this disease, you should seek help from a qualified dermatologist working in a medical institution where vitiligo is treated. During the initial visit, the specialist carefully examines the patient and, as necessary, takes samples of biomaterial for additional tests.

If timely treatment is not started, the pathology begins to progress. In addition, concomitant diseases begin to arise, which significantly complicate the treatment of vitiligo.

Is there a cure for vitiligo?

It is necessary to carefully select drugs for the treatment of vitiligo. Only a doctor can do this. Often, at a localized stage of the disease, the patient is prescribed corticosteroids, which have an anti-allergic effect and also eliminate autoimmune processes. These medications are mainly available in the form of creams and gels, and you can also use vitiligo ointment. If vitiligo has a generalized form, then tablets are prescribed.
The therapy complex includes the use of an ultraviolet lamp. In this regard, most drugs for the treatment of vitiligo have a photosensitizing effect.

The main objectives of systemic therapy are:

• stabilization of hormonal levels;
• normalization of the patient’s psychological state and lifting him out of depression.

Innovative ways to treat vitiligo

Today, there are several little-known but effective methods of getting rid of vitiligo in addition to treatment with medications and vitamins:

• laser therapy;
• epidermis whitening;
• surgical intervention;
• ultraviolet irradiation.

There are currently no medications that can be used to treat vitiligo. However, this pathology is a consequence of dysfunctions of certain mechanisms of the human body and it is these disorders that need to be treated. Often, the doctor prescribes vitamin therapy, which replenishes the supply of macro- and microelements. A patient suffering from vitiligo should take vitamins containing riboflavin, thiamine, ascorbic and pantothenic acids, iron, and copper salts. After each meal, you need to take one percent drops of copper sulfate solution. There is also a high effectiveness of treatment using electrophoresis for discolored spots based on a 0.5 percent solution of copper sulfate.

Laser therapy for vitiligo

The effect of laser radiation on the affected areas will help eliminate problem areas. Laser therapy is especially effective in helping in the initial stage of development of pathology, the signs of which appeared in the last five days.

To completely get rid of colorless spots on the skin, you need to undergo several laser therapy sessions. With each session, the duration of the procedure increases. In the first stages of treatment, the procedure lasts a few seconds.

Whitening

Whitening the upper layers of the epidermis allows you to even out your skin tone and make spots less noticeable. The whitening procedure consists of injecting a special preparation into the skin. Before making injections, you should consult a doctor, as they have some contraindications and a number of side effects. The whitening procedure is expensive and requires periodic repetition of sessions.

Skin grafting for vitiligo

If the disease affects small areas of the epidermis, then doctors perform surgery - healthy skin is transplanted to the affected areas. Despite the effectiveness of this method, there are risks that the transplanted skin is rejected and suppurates. In this regard, doctors do not guarantee a 100% result from surgical intervention. Today, scientists are working on developing a special vaccine that stops autoimmune processes.

Photochemotherapy

The photochemotherapy method involves the use of special medications that increase the level of sensitivity to ultraviolet exposure. Pharmacists have developed such drugs in the form of tablets, ointments and solutions. The doctor prescribes one of these drugs to the patient and combines them with the procedure for exposing the skin to ultraviolet light. That is, the patient takes the medicine orally or applies the drug directly to the site of the disease, and after an hour or two this area of ​​the skin is irradiated with ultraviolet light. To get a positive effect from this treatment, you will need 3-4 procedures per week for a month. Several courses of treatment with photochemotherapy will be required, which are carried out at short intervals.

The following are contraindications to this treatment method:

• bearing a child;
• the presence of malignant tumors;
• the patient's age is less than 5 years or more than 60 years;
• the presence of diseases of the circulatory, cardiovascular, genitourinary, and digestive systems.

It is worth noting that this method causes some side effects - nausea, vomiting, itching, blisters, and increased pigmentation. The likelihood of developing skin cancer. However, the probability of a positive effect is tens of times greater than the risk of negative consequences.

To treat this pathology at home, an ultraviolet lamp 311 is used. Advantages of treating vitiligo with lamp 311 has the following advantages:

• broad biological effects of ultraviolet radiation (the body’s immune defense is activated, metabolism improves, and the level of vitamin D production increases);
• does not require additional intake of photosensitizing drugs, which significantly affect the liver and kidneys;
• the likelihood of getting burns or scars is excluded;
• does not contribute to the development of cancer.

Vitiligo and the army - answers to questions

Vitiligo - treatment with traditional methods

Vitiligo can also be cured at home. Over the years, adherents of traditional medicine have collected many effective remedies. How to treat vitiligo at home? The main components in most folk methods of combating vitiligo are black cumin and St. John's wort.

Method No. 1 - using St. John's wort oil

To obtain St. John's wort oil, you need to finely chop the fresh medicinal plant and place it in a clean jar, pour in refined sunflower or any medicinal oil (for example, sea buckthorn or almond) and leave in a sunny place for two to three weeks. During this time, the jar needs to be shaken from time to time. The resulting solution has little effect. To obtain a highly effective product, only the inflorescences of the plant must be used to prepare St. John's wort oil.

Method No. 2 - using black cumin oil

This oil is used internally and externally. For external use, before using black cumin oil, the skin must be prepared - wipe it with a cloth or sponge soaked in vinegar. After using the oil, you must stay exposed to sunlight.

For internal use, add a teaspoon of black cumin oil to a glass of water and drink.

Method number 3 - using black pepper

Black pepper contains piperine, a substance that effectively eliminates vitiligo and gives a special smell and taste to this spice. In order for black pepper to help in the fight against this pathology, you need to mix it with baking soda in equal proportions. The resulting mixture must be rubbed into colorless spots on the skin. Over time, they will disappear and the skin will return to its normal color.

Method No. 4 - using Sulsena ointment

You can correct colorless spots at home using Sulsena ointment. The indication for use of this product is the presence of dandruff and (or) hair loss. However, the ointment is also effective for skin diseases. “Sulsena” is rubbed into the affected skin and washed off with warm water after thirty minutes. The first results will be noticeable after three to four procedures.

Method No. 5 - using birch tar

You can buy this product at a pharmacy. The essence of treating vitiligo with birch tar is that it is applied to the affected areas of the skin for a month. Then a break is taken for two weeks and the course of treatment is resumed again.

Method number 6 - using apple cider vinegar

There are two ways to treat skin discoloration using apple cider vinegar. When used externally, they rub it on damaged areas of the skin until the effect is noticeable. To use apple cider vinegar internally, you need to prepare the following recipe: mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and honey in a half-full glass of water. You need to drink this solution three times a day half an hour before meals.

Method number 9 - using walnuts

With the help of leaves and pericarp of walnuts, you can mask colorless spots on the skin. They must be crushed and mixed in equal parts, placed in a container with dark glass and filled with vodka in a proportion of 1 to 10. The container is placed in a cool and dark place for two weeks. After this time, filter the tincture, and then wipe the stains with it 1-2 times a day. Before applying the tincture to the skin, apply a protective cream. The course of treatment is several months.

Method No. 10 – treatment of vitiligo with herbal mixture

Mix chopped sage, St. John's wort (4 tbsp each), string, calendula (3 tbsp each), and oregano (2 tbsp). Pour the resulting mixture into a thermos and pour boiling water (0.5 l). Leave for two hours, then strain and take half a glass three times a day half an hour before meals. The course of treatment is 7-8 weeks.

Before you start treating vitiligo with folk remedies, you should consult your doctor. If you neglect to consult a specialist, you can aggravate the problem, since many folk remedies have contraindications or side effects.

Vitiligo treatment and vitamins

Vitamins for vitiligo are not able to cure this pathology on their own. However, with their help it is possible to enhance the effectiveness of the main therapy. To date, there is no special complex designed for patients with this diagnosis. In each individual case, doctors examine the patient and determine which vitamins are insufficient in his body.

There is a standard set of vitamins that a person with vitiligo can take. It includes B vitamins, as well as vitamins C and E (ascorbic, folic and pantothenic acids, tocopherol).