How to Treat Vitiligo?

Update Date: 2024-06-06 Source: Network

Vitiligo can be treated through hormonal therapy, phototherapy and photochemotherapy, transplantation therapy, immunosuppressants, or vitamin D3 derivatives.

1. Hormonal Therapy:

Systemic therapy is mainly suitable for patients with generalized vitiligo in the progressive stage. Oral or intramuscular injection of hormones can stabilize the progressive vitiligo as soon as possible.
Topical glucocorticoids are effective for the treatment of localized vitiligo, but attention should be paid to the adverse reactions caused by long-term topical glucocorticoids. Commonly used drugs include halometasone ointment, mometasone furoate cream, etc.

2. Phototherapy and Photochemotherapy:

Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy has a certain effect on the treatment of localized or generalized vitiligo.
Photochemotherapy (PUVA), which involves topical application of psoralen drugs (8-MOP, psoralen tincture) combined with sunlight exposure, is a good treatment option for localized vitiligo, suitable for adults and children over 5 years old.

3. Transplantation Therapy: It is suitable for patients in the stable stage with a limited number of lesions and no scarring constitution. Commonly used methods include autologous epidermal grafting, micropigmentation, and autologous melanocyte transplantation.

4. Immunosuppressants: For areas unsuitable for the use of hormones, or to avoid adverse reactions caused by long-term use of hormones, topical calcium neurophosphatase inhibitors (tacrolimus, pimecrolimus) can have a certain effect.

5. Vitamin D3 Derivatives: Vitamin D3 derivatives can be used in combination with NB-UVB, PUVA, and other treatments. They can also be used in combination with topical steroids and calcium neurophosphatase inhibitors.

The etiology of vitiligo is still unclear. Recent studies suggest that it may be related to factors such as genetics, autoimmunity, mental and neurochemical factors, self-destruction of melanocytes, lack of trace elements, trauma, sun exposure, and others.