Vitiligo


Can people with vitiligo eat beef?
People with vitiligo can eat beef. Beef is delicious and is a high-protein, low-fat quality meat, ranking as the second largest meat product consumed in China. Patients with vitiligo should eat more foods rich in tyrosine or minerals such as copper and iron, including beef, as well as rabbit meat, pork, animal liver, chicken eggs, duck eggs, milk, and some shellfish, such as snails, etc.


side effects of vitiligo medication
Currently, most of the drugs used to treat vitiligo are traditional Chinese medicines, and they generally have relatively low side effects. However, because the effects of treatment for this disease are slow and the treatment cycle is long, long-term treatment is needed. Therefore, the biggest side effect of long-term oral administration of traditional Chinese medicines is the potential damage to the liver. During the entire treatment process, liver function can be rechecked after using the medication for three months. If the liver function is normal, these medicines can continue to be used. During the medication process, some liver-protecting drugs can also be taken orally. Commonly used topical medications can initially irritate the skin, causing symptoms such as redness, itching, or blistering, but these symptoms will gradually disappear with long-term use.


How to diagnose vitiligo in babies?
Babies diagnosed with vitiligo generally need to be differentiated from the following diseases. The first is anemic nevus, which is a congenital hypopigmentation that often exists at birth. If you rub the skin in the affected area, it does not turn red, while the surrounding normal skin does. Another is achromic nevus, which appears at or shortly after birth, characterized by localized hypopigmentation that often follows the distribution of nerve segments, with blurry boundaries. Additionally, there is tinea versicolor, which tends to occur in hot weather, with hypopigmented patches that have a bran-like or scaly appearance and a positive fungal test. It also needs to be differentiated from pityriasis alba, also known as white pityriasis, which commonly appears on children's faces and has a slightly rough surface. Generally, vitiligo diagnosis still requires further confirmation through tests such as Wood's lamp, dermatoscopy, skin CT, and fungal examinations.


Is the effect of epidermal grafting surgery for vitiligo good?
Vitiligo can be treated with epidermal grafting. Currently, patients with stable conditions, including localized vitiligo and segmental vitiligo, can achieve good results from the transplantation of epidermal pigments. The treatment method involves selecting the skin epidermis from the thigh or abdomen, using an epidermis separator to detach the epidermis, and attaching the skin flap to the depigmented spots, which are polished. This method can effectively treat localized or stable vitiligo and achieve satisfactory results. Therefore, skin grafting surgery for vitiligo can be quite effective. However, the occurrence of vitiligo is related to the immune system, and there is still a possibility of recurrence after successful treatment.


The term "progressive stage of vitiligo" refers to a phase in which the skin condition vitiligo is actively spreading, with new patches forming and existing patches expanding.
The progression phase of vitiligo, also known as its development phase, is characterized by the enlarging and whitening of the skin patches. This phase primarily signifies that the patches are expanding and becoming more pronounced in color. Vitiligo is related to factors such as reduced immunity, genetic heritage, copper deficiency in the body, or local injuries. Through proper treatment, the progression phase can gradually shift into a recovery phase, where melanin increasingly covers the white patches. Some patients may enter a stationary phase where neither medication nor lack of treatment changes the condition of the vitiligo; typically, if there’s no change for over a year, it enters this stationary phase. If it is determined that the vitiligo is in the progression phase, prompt treatment is crucial to prevent the condition from worsening, which could make treatment more difficult.


Can people with vitiligo eat peaches?
People with vitiligo can eat peaches. Peaches are rich in vitamins and also contain a substantial amount of iron. In traditional Chinese medicine, peaches are said to nourish yin, generate fluids, moisturize the intestines, and facilitate bowel movements. They are considered a good fruit symbolizing fortune, prosperity, and longevity. Although long-term excessive intake of vitamin C is one of the triggers for vitiligo, vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant. It helps the body eliminate free radicals, which, when in excess, can damage our body's melanocytes. Therefore, appropriately consuming fruits that contain vitamin C, such as peaches, does not affect vitiligo.


Can people with vitiligo eat mangoes?
Patients with vitiligo can eat mangoes, as mangoes benefit the stomach, quench thirst, and promote urination. They are rich in vitamins A and C. Although long-term excessive intake of vitamin C-rich foods or medications is one of the triggers for vitiligo, vitamin C is also an antioxidant. It can help the body eliminate oxygen free radicals, which can damage our body's melanocytes. Melanocytes are a key factor in vitiligo. Therefore, consuming a moderate amount of vitamin C-rich fruits has little impact on vitiligo; there is no need to avoid them entirely.


Can people with vitiligo eat apples?
People with vitiligo can eat apples, however, long-term excessive intake of vitamin C is one of the inducers of vitiligo. Generally, consuming vitamin C in daily amounts exceeding 1-3 grams for several months could potentially trigger vitiligo. Nevertheless, vitamin C is also an antioxidant, which can help eliminate oxygen free radicals in the body. Excessive oxygen free radicals can also damage our melanocytes. Therefore, eating an appropriate amount of fruits containing vitamin C does not greatly affect vitiligo, and there is no need to completely avoid fresh fruits and foods containing vitamin C.


Can people with vitiligo eat watermelon?
People with vitiligo can eat watermelon. Watermelon has the effects of cooling and relieving heat, eliminating irritability, quenching thirst, and promoting urination. From the perspective of Western medicine, it has a diuretic effect, similar to water, and is a fruit commonly eaten in summer. Although long-term excessive intake of vitamin C is one of the inducers of vitiligo, especially when the daily intake exceeds 1-3 grams for several consecutive months, it can induce vitiligo. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, and it helps us clear free radicals in the body. These oxygen free radicals can damage the melanocytes in our body. Vitiligo is also caused by damage to melanocytes, reduced production or excessive loss. Therefore, some experts even use vitamin C to treat vitiligo. Thus, moderate consumption of fruits containing vitamin C, such as watermelon, has no negative impact. There is no need to avoid eating these fresh fruits entirely due to fear of potential effects.


Will vitiligo recur after skin grafting?
Vitiligo generally enters a stable phase after which skin grafting is quite effective. The stable phase is typically reached when, after about a year of treatment, there are basically no changes, no worsening or improvement in the condition, which is referred to as the stable phase. Using the method of skin grafting to directly implant melanocytes into the depigmented regions tends to be effective. Generally, after skin grafting, melanin quickly proliferates and extensively covers the depigmented areas. However, the factors causing this disease are quite complex. Some individuals, especially those with lower immunity, might experience recurrence even after a successful graft. Therefore, personal health status and clinical evidence should be considered individually.