How to diagnose vitiligo in babies?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 22, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
43sec home-news-image

Can people with vitiligo eat bananas?

People with vitiligo can eat bananas. Bananas have the properties of clearing heat and detoxification, moisturizing the intestines to relieve constipation, and moistening the lungs to stop coughing. They also contain vitamin C. Long-term excessive intake of vitamin C is one of the inducers of vitiligo, but vitamin C is also an antioxidant. It can help to eliminate oxygen free radicals in the body, and excessive oxygen free radicals can damage our melanocytes. Therefore, eating a moderate amount of fruits containing vitamin C, such as bananas, has little impact on vitiligo. Thus, there is no need to avoid eating fresh fruits altogether.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
59sec home-news-image

Can patients with vitiligo use mobile phones?

Generally speaking, playing with mobile phones does not affect patients with vitiligo, but it is important not to stay up late while using them. If staying up late regularly leads to a decreased immune function, it can worsen the symptoms of vitiligo. Vitiligo is mainly associated with reduced immunity, genetic heritage, a lack of copper in the body, or local trauma. Once detected, it is crucial to seek formal treatment in the dermatology department of a reputable hospital. Oral medication combined with topical drugs, along with the 308 laser treatment, yields better results. Consuming more black-colored foods is recommended, while it is best to avoid consuming too much food rich in vitamin C. If long-term treatment is ineffective, melanin transplantation can also be considered. It is essential to undergo formal treatment; otherwise, the affected area may continue to expand, and the difficulty of treatment will also increase.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
46sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
1min 3sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
1min home-news-image

Can people with vitiligo eat lychees?

People with vitiligo can indeed eat lychees. Lychees have benefits such as stimulating the appetite, nourishing the blood, dispersing clumps, regulating qi, and relieving pain. Concerns about eating lychees mainly arise from their vitamin C content. It has been suggested that prolonged consumption of vitamin C supplements, such as taking more than 1-3 grams daily for several months, may potentially trigger vitiligo. However, normally consuming moderate amounts of vitamin C-rich foods or fruits does not significantly affect vitiligo. Moreover, it is now believed that reactive oxygen species within the body are one of the factors contributing to the development of vitiligo, and vitamin C, as an antioxidant, can help clear these reactive oxygen species from the body and protect melanocytes. From this perspective, eating vitamin C-rich foods normally does not have any adverse effect on vitiligo.