Vitiligo Therapy
If your vitiligo is distressing or severe, you may wish to seek treatment. Generally, the white regions caused by vitiligo are permanent. Although there are numerous options for concealing or reducing the appearance of white regions caused by vitiligo, there is no cure. However, the treatments may help restore skin pigment, but the effects are temporary. In addition, vitiligo treatment cannot prevent the condition from spreading further. The following are some available treatments for vitiligo:
topical steroid hormones
For direct application to the epidermis, topical steroids are available as ointments and creams. These can sometimes assist in halting the progression of the discoloration and may restore some of your natural skin tones. A doctor may recommend a topical steroid if:
They are not expecting
They have less than 10% of non-segmental vitiligo on their body. They are aware of the possibility of adverse effects and consent to take the medication.
They embrace additional treatments such as camouflage and sunblock.
A general practitioner may prescribe an ointment or cream based on the location of your discolored regions and your personal preference. Creams are superior to ointments for use on joints, such as inside the elbows, because creams are less greasy. Some common steroid prescriptions for vitiligo include:
The compound hydrocortisone butyrate
The active ingredient in fluticasone propionate
Valerated betamethasone
A general practitioner can instruct you on the proper method and quantity for applying ointment or cream to your white regions. The standard unit of measurement for topical steroids is the fingertip unit (FTU). One FTU is the amount of topical steroid one adult can press onto their fingertip, which is sufficient to treat an area of skin twice the size of an adult’s hand.
Among the adverse effects of topical steroids are:
Dessication of epidermis
Skin creases or discolorations
Abnormal hair growth
Appearance of visible blood vessels
Acne
Acute or chronic inflammation of the epidermis
