Exploring Vitiligo: From causes to cutting-edge treatments

July 2024

Understanding Vitiligo: An overview

Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition characterised by the loss of normal pigment, resulting in pale, white, or light pink patches on the skin. It affects about one percent of the population, or one in a hundred people, and is equally common among men and women of all races, though it is more noticeable in people with darker skin tones. Importantly, vitiligo is not infectious. The condition can develop at any age, but more than half of the cases appear before the age of 20.

The causes of vitiligo

The pigment that gives your skin its normal colour is called melanin and is made by cells known as melanocytes. In patches of vitiligo the melanocytes are inactive but still may be present. The reason for this is not fully understood. However, vitiligo is considered to be an ‘autoimmune’ condition in which the body’s immune system rejects some of its own cells (melanocytes in the case of vitiligo).

The Hereditary Aspect of Vitiligo

Yes, vitiligo has a genetic basis, although less than half of those with vitiligo know of someone in their family who also has it.

Can vitiligo be cured?

No, however, there are treatment options for vitiligo available.

How is vitiligo treated?

You may decide not to treat your vitiligo, after talking to your healthcare professional. You may choose to protect your skin with sunscreens and/or find a good cosmetic camouflage product for when you choose to use it.

The following treatment options are currently available for vitiligo on the NHS:

• Psychological support or talking therapy

• Topical calcineurin inhibitors

• Topical corticosteroids

• Combination of phototherapy with topical or oral steroids

• Depigmentation (removal of remaining pigment)

Is there any research on vitiligo taking place in the UK?

Yes! Recently, Professor Viktoria Eleftheriadou established Vitiligo Clinical And Research Centre (Vitiligo CARE) at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, in West Midlands. The aim of the centre is to bring research opportunities to people with vitiligo and offer evidence-based treatments, which are not widely available in other hospitals such as home handheld phototherapy. The experienced research team runs several late phase international trials for adult and children with vitiligo. Vitiligo CARE accepts referrals from out of area. Note: You will need to request that your GP (or Consultant Dermatologist) refer you via the usual referral route to Walsall Manor Hospital indicating (if applicable) that the diagnosis of vitiligo has been made by a consultant dermatologist. You can find out more information here.

Professor Viktoria Eleftheriadou, Consultant Dermatologist

Find Viktoria here.

Donate to skin disease research More on vitiligo.

By donating to skin disease research you are helping us to find treatments and cures for common conditions like eczema, acne and psoriasis through to potential killers like melanoma skin cancer. Thank you.

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