The most apparent symptom is the loss of pigment in the skin due to the body’s immune system attacking its own melanocytes. The condition can affect all areas of the body and often show up as white patches on the hands, arms, face, and feet and is most visible in darker skin tones.
You are more likely to get vitiligo if someone in your family has it. Additionally, skin injury, severe sunburn, and chemicals may also trigger an autoimmune response that attacks the melanocytes.
Vitiligo can also be an indicator of other autoimmune diseases and in severe cases, it may affect hearing and sight. It is therefore advisable to consult a board-certified dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis to ensure effective treatment and management.
Schedule an appointment with our board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Margo Weishar! She will examine your skin and review your detailed medical history. A Wood’s lamp test may also be done to look at your skin under UV light to avoid any misdiagnosis. She may also request some blood tests and skin biopsy to rule out any other illnesses or autoimmune conditions. Vitiligo treatment is a personal choice that Dr. Weishar will discuss during the consultation.
The type of treatment largely depends on your objective – do you want to treat the condition or the cosmetics thereof? Some patients may opt for make-up to cover up light patches where melanocytes have died. In contrast, others may choose medical treatment to restore skin color or prevent further loss of melanocytes.
There is no cure for vitiligo, and it can take some time before treatment results become visible.
Additionally, some people may choose to focus on vitiligo management options to reduce the spread of white spots, such as prednisone medication. Other options include depigmentation to remove the existing skin color from the body and make-up, self-tanning or skin dyes to even out skin tone.
Philadelphia Magazine’s Top Doctor, Dr. Margo Weishar, has more than 25 years of experience in helping people fall in love with the skin they are in. She has her own skincare range and understands that each patient is unique, and approaches vitiligo treatment options with her patient’s best interests in mind. Schedule your appointment today and find out more about her non-invasive treatment options.
