Vitiligo treatment in Turkey, Causes, types & diagnosis 2024

Causes of Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin condition caused by the destruction of the cells that produce skin color, called melanocytes.

The symptoms of vitiligo can vary from person to person, but white patches are the most common sign. These patches can appear anywhere on the body, but they tend to develop on sun-exposed areas, including the face, hands, and arms.

Vitiligo is not contagious and is not painful, but it can be aesthetically embarrassing. It can also be associated with other autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, pernicious anemia, etc.

These account for 45% of all cases. Added to that, studies have shown that 55% of patients inherited this skin disease from their parents.

What are the types of this skin disease?

We can distinguish two main types of Vitiligo, which are:

• Non-segmental vitiligo or vitiligo vulgaris develops over time. Its manifestation is marked by simple white spots on the feet, hands, and face that may be preceded by itching.
• Unilateral vitiligo affects a specific area of the body that is depigmented. This type is not common as it affects about 15% of our patients.

Diagnosis of the disease

Vitiligo is diagnosed during a visit to the dermatologist using a clinical examination of the patient's skin. The dermatologist will illuminate the affected areas with a special blue light (Wood's lamp) to accurately detect the presence of the disease.

Your dermatologist may also ask you about your family history of vitiligo. You may also have additional tests to rule out other dermatologic conditions.

Blood tests, including fasting blood glucose and thyroid tests, may be ordered. Sometimes a skin biopsy may be done to confirm the diagnosis by examining samples of depigmented skin under a microscope.

Vitiligo Treatments in Turkey

Several treatment options are available in Turkey for the treatment of vitiligo:

• Corticosteroids: These are medications that help reduce inflammation and can be applied topically to the areas affected by vitiligo. These medications can help reduce the size and spread of the patches.
• Immunomodulating creams: These creams can be applied to help reduce the activity of the immune system, which is often involved in the progression of vitiligo.
• Phototherapy: This technique uses light to help reduce inflammation and restore pigmentation to the affected areas.
• Skin grafting: In the most severe cases of vitiligo, a skin graft may be used to transfer pigment cells from normal skin to the affected skin. In this technique, the discolored areas are removed and replaced with pigmented areas of the epidermis that are transplanted with the patient's skin. After the procedure, the treated areas can produce new melanocytes in as little as two months.

It is important to note that treating vitiligo can be a long and difficult process and may not be effective for everyone. It is recommended that you consult a dermatologist to talk about the treatment options available and figure out the best approach for your specific case.

Excimer Laser Vitiligo Treatment

The technique consists of using an excimer laser on the areas that are affected by vitiligo, especially on the face. Excimer laser vitiligo treatment also consists of producing monochromatic rays to treat limited, stable white spots. This new method is an effective, safe, and approved treatment for vitiligo.

The results can last between 3 and 7 months, and the doctors will prescribe some medications to enhance the success rate of this therapy. However, the excimer laser vitiligo treatment is an expensive therapy.

The Excimer laser vitiligo treatment is a new therapy that has no side effects at all. Research has shown that the repigmentation of the skin in segmental vitiligo is easier with excimer laser treatment. Added to that, laser therapy is more efficient when used at an early stage.

However, only a dermatologist can determine if it is a good choice or not.