Vitiligo Treatment – Here Are The Main Therapy Choices That Sufferers Can Consider
Vitiligo is a common disease, which causes a loss of pigmentation. It makes the skin lose its colour and white patches start appearing on the patients body. The precise reasons for the development of Vitiligo, are yet to be identified. Vitiligo is persistent, and no wonder drug is available to treat the condition. However, some Vitiligo treatments do provide help in healing it partially, mostly taking care of the cosmetic aspects.
Many doctors advise Vitiligo patients to go for Phototherapy. This is a widely used treatment, which entails exposure to ultraviolet rays causing the skin to tan. The treatment starts with either an oral or a physical administration of Psoralen, after which UVA rays are pointed at the patch that needs to be cured. This causes the melanin producing melanocytes to be activated, bringing the skin colour back.
According to the vitiligo treatment website, another often used treatment is skin grafting. This is a surgical procedure where the affected skin is replaced with a melanocyte graft, which is expected to start producing melanin in the affected area.
The condition may sometimes become severe to an extent that almost the entire skin loses its colour. In such a scenario, doctors sometimes recommend removing the pigment from the unharmed areas. This process causes the non-white areas to fade somewhat as the skin colour is the same throughout, which is a better option cosmetically than having a patched skin. De-pigmentation should however be done only when no other option is available, and any potential negative effects must be carefully considered.
Some natural and herbal remedies are also used for Vitiligo treatment. Peppermint oil and a naturally occurring substance called Ginkgo biloba are frequently used in such therapies. Special cosmetics are also available in the market for covering Vitiligo affected areas.
Even though a lot of research is still required to identify the true causes of this skin disorder, these Vitiligo treatments can offer both long and short-term relief to the patients. With the fields of biotechnology and genetics advancing day by day, a better cure could be on the horizon.
December 21, 2009 at 10:52 am

