…long period of time, and sometimes they don’t work.
Current treatment options for vitiligo include medical, surgical, and other treatments. Most treatments are aimed at restoring color to the white patches of skin.
Medical treatments include:
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- Medicines (such as steroid creams) that you put on the skin
- Medicines that you take by mouth
- A treatment that uses medicine plus ultraviolet A (UVA) light (PUVA)
- Removing the color from other areas so they match the white patches.
Surgical treatments include:
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- Skin grafts from a person’s own tissues. The doctor takes skin from one area of a patient’s body and attaches it to another area. This is sometimes used for people with small patches of vitiligo.
- Tattooing small areas of skin.
Other treatments include:
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- Sunscreens
- Cosmetics, such as makeup or dye, to cover the white patches
- Counseling and support.What Can People Do to Cope With Vitiligo?
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When you have vitiligo, you may be upset or depressed about the change in your appearance. There are several things you can do to cope with the disorder:
- Find a doctor who knows how to treat vitiligo. The doctor should also be a good listener and be able to provide emotional support.
- Learn about the disorder and treatment choices. This can help you make decisions about your treatment.
- Talk with other people who have vitiligo. A vitiligo group can help you find a support group (check your local listings). Family and friends are another source of support.
Some people with vitiligo have found that cosmetics that cover the white patches improve their appearance and help them feel better about themselves. A person may need to try several brands of concealing cosmetics before finding the product that works best.
What Research Is Being Done on Vitiligo?
Research on vitiligo has increased in recent years. A large study of families with vitiligo is looking for genes that might cause the disorder. Researchers continue to look for the causes of and new treatments for vitiligo.