What are the instruments for vitiligo examination?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on November 24, 2024
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The most commonly used instruments for diagnosing vitiligo currently are the Wood's lamp and the dermatoscope, with the Wood's lamp being used slightly more frequently in clinical settings. After the appearance of white patches on the body, one can first visit the dermatology department of a formal hospital for an examination with the Wood's lamp. If it is vitiligo, the patches will appear brightly white under the lamp, with clear edges. This disease has a certain degree of recurrence, and it is crucial to undergo formal treatment once diagnosed. During treatment, it is advisable to enhance physical exercise, boost immunity, and largely avoid eating spicy and irritating foods. Treatment can include oral medication, topical medication, and the use of a 308 nm UVB laser, which can accelerate recovery. It's beneficial to consume foods rich in black pigments, and it is advisable to avoid consuming excessive amounts of Vitamin C-rich foods. Persisting with the treatment usually yields good results.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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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.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What are the advantages of epidermal grafting for vitiligo?

Epidermal grafting is suitable for vitiligo in its stable phase, where patches on the body have not changed for at least six months and have not improved with treatment. At this stage, one can opt for epidermal grafting, which involves relatively minor trauma and is not too costly. The local growth of melanin is rapid, and the results tend to be favorable for patients in the stable phase. During the treatment period, it's essential to avoid spicy and irritating foods, consume more black-colored foods, avoid excessive intake of vitamin C-rich foods, enhance physical exercise to boost immunity, and keep the treated area dry and free from friction to prevent melanin loss.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Segmental vitiligo treatment

There are currently multiple ways to treat segmental vitiligo, with the most conventional being a combination of oral medication, topical medication, and 308 laser treatment. If the disease is in the stable phase, melanocyte transplantation can also be considered. The stable phase refers to the condition where, after repeated treatments, there are no changes, no recovery, and no further expansion for a year. This disease is somewhat related to personal immunity, so it is important to regularly exercise to strengthen immunity, consume more dark-colored foods, and avoid eating too much food rich in vitamin C. Proper treatment at a qualified hospital's dermatology department can lead to a complete cure of the disease with persistent treatment.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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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.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What areas does vitiligo initially appear on?

Common initial sites of vitiligo occurrence are actually irregular. Any part of the body that is covered with skin and has melanin can show symptoms of vitiligo. However, it is more likely to appear on the limbs or facial area for most people. This disease is mainly related to reduced autoimmunity, genetic inheritance, a deficiency in copper in the body, or local trauma. Once diagnosed, it is essential to seek standard treatments, which can include oral medications, topical medications, and 308 laser therapy. With regular and long-term treatment, most cases of small areas are relatively easy to treat. For larger areas affecting the whole body, melanocyte transplantation can also be considered.