Look for These 5 Common Signs of Vitiligo

Are you among the nearly 2% of the worldwide population with vitiligo? If so, you may have embraced your multi-colored skin as having its own unique beauty. However, if you would prefer that the differences in skin tone were less visible, you can ask for laser treatment to help encourage the repigmentation of your skin, reducing or eliminating lighter patches. 

At Easton Dermatology Associates, our experienced team of dermatologists and physician assistants can help you minimize the appearance of vitiligo using excimer laser treatments.

Vitiligo basics

Vitiligo causes a loss or lightening of pigment in your skin, and can also affect your hair and eye color. Doctors don’t know what causes vitiligo, but it has been suggested that it is rooted in an autoimmune issue.  

If you have vitiligo, melanin-producing cells called melanocytes start to malfunction, causing depigmentation of your skin. Anyone can get vitiligo, but it is more commonly seen in people with darker skin tones.

5 common signs of vitiligo

The signs of vitiligo can appear at any stage of life, and include:

• Loss of skin color in patches, usually seen first on your face, hands, arms, legs, and feet
• Premature whitening of your body hair, including facial hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows
• Loss of color of the tissues inside your nose
• Changes in or loss of color in your eyes
• Thyroid problems 

If you have vitiligo, you may also have had early signs of thyroid issues. Thyroid diseases are one of the most commonly associated issues for people with vitiligo, and having a thyroid problem can be an indicator that vitiligo will develop. 

Vitiligo isn’t painful, but it can spread rapidly, significantly changing your appearance over time. If you aren’t comfortable with the changes in your skin, you may experience adverse symptoms such as self-consciousness, anxiety, depression, or poor body images. If you think your vitiligo is causing undue emotional or mental distress, you can seek treatment. 

Vitiligo treatment

One of the most effective and popular treatments for vitiligo is using an excimer laser. This laser aims a high-intensity ultraviolet B (UVB) light at the area affected by vitiligo. The risk of UV radiation exposure is greatly reduced because the light from the laser never touches the skin directly during treatment. Narrow wave B (UVB) light therapy has been used for vitiligo treatment since the late 1990s.

If you would like to address your vitiligo, contact one of our two convenient offices located in Easton and Salisbury. Our expert team is here to help.