Vitiligo is a condition characterized by altered function or absence of melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for producing melanin, which is the pigment that gives color to skin, hair, hair and eyes. Thus, due to the absence of melanin production, there is the appearance of whitish spots all over the body, especially on the hands, feet, knees, face and elbows. of the place. Luckily there are options for vitiligo treatment in Kanpur which can minimize the white spot. 

Although its cause is still unclear, it is believed to be related to genetic, environmental and immunological factors, and may be triggered by autoimmune changes or stressful situations, for example. It should be remembered that vitiligo is not contagious, however, it can be hereditary and be more common among members of the same family.

Vitiligo has no cure, however, there are several forms of vitiligo treatment in Kanpur that help improve the appearance of the skin, reducing local inflammation and stimulating repigmentation of the affected regions, such as immunosuppressants, corticosteroids or phototherapy, for example, guided by the plastic surgeon in Kanpur.

Possible causes

Although there is still no specific cause for this problem, it is believed that vitiligo is associated with genetic, environmental and immunological factors, the main ones being:

  • Autoimmune changes, in which the immune system itself attacks melanocytes;
  • Hereditary diseases that pass from parents to children;
  • Skin injuries such as burns or exposure to chemicals.

In addition, some people may trigger the disease or experience worsening injuries after a period of stress or emotional trauma.

Vitiligo symptoms

The main symptom of vitiligo is the appearance of whitish spots in places more exposed to the sun, such as hands, face, arms or lips and, initially, it usually appears as a small and single spot, which can increase in size and quantity with treatment. not be carried out. According to where the spots appear, vitiligo can be classified as:

  • Unilateral or segmental, when it happens only on one side of the body;
  • Bilateral or non-segmental, in which whitish areas appear on both sides of the body.

Vitiligo symptoms are more common before the age of 20, but can appear at any age and on any skin type, although it is more common in people with darker skin. In addition, although in most cases only the presence of white spots on the skin is noticed, some people can also lose the color of their hair and hair and change in the sensitivity of the place.

Does vitiligo catch?

Since it is not caused by any microorganism, vitiligo does not catch and therefore there is no risk of contagion when touching the skin of a person with this skin condition.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of vitiligo is made by the plastic surgeon by observing the signs and symptoms presented by the person, this is because the whitish spots of vitiligo are very characteristic and appear in specific regions of the body.

Vitiligo Treatment in Kanpur

First of all, it should be clarified that vitiligo is a benign disease, whose only effects are aesthetic. There are cases of spontaneous regression. To disguise the problem, some people use make-up for the purpose: they are waterproof cosmetics, with colorations very close to those of normal skin.
If you choose a vitiligo treatment in Kanpur, there are some options, highlighting topical treatments with immunomodulators and corticosteroids. Another possibility is light treatments, called phototherapy. Phototherapy can be performed with ultraviolet A or with ultraviolet B. When performed with UV-A, the patient takes psoralen (a drug that makes the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light) and, two hours later, is exposed to ultraviolet radiation in appropriate cabin wearing, during the session, special glasses to protect the eyes against radiation.
Despite its effectiveness, phototherapy treatment is time consuming: sometimes, it requires 50 to 60 sessions, at a frequency of two to three per week. A sign of improvement of the disease is the appearance of small “islets” of pigmentation in the center of the spots.
Like solar radiation, phototherapy can lead to the appearance of freckles and blemishes – treatments that last for years and sometimes trigger skin cancer. On walks to the beach or pool, sunscreen should be used, both to prevent burns and to prevent the skin around the spots from tanning, which would accentuate the contrast of depigmentation.

Alternative treatments

In cases with few patches of stains, the micrograft technique can be used. The skin to be grafted is normal, that is, it contains active melanocytes, the cells capable of producing the pigment melanin, which gives the skin its color. Another variation consists of grafting with melanocyte culture. In this case, some of the patient’s normal skin is removed and melanocytes are cultured, which are later grafted onto the area.
Much talked about is also a vitiligo treatment in Kanpur, which uses a drug called melagenina, derived from placenta. Although it has a reputation for being revolutionary and effective, this therapy is not accepted by the world scientific community: scientists from other countries have carried out controlled studies on melagenin and have not had good results.

Dr. Amit Verma

Dr Amit Verma is a senior plastic surgeon specializing in Aesthetic, Reconstructive & Burn Plastic Surgery. His solid academic background, years of accumulated experience and permanent scientific updating make him one of the most sought-after plastic surgeon in Kanpur.