The four “white” colors of vitiligo represent different pigment loss degrees (mild, moderate and severe). How to distinguish them accurately?

 The four “white” colors of vitiligo represent different pigment loss degrees (mild, moderate and severe). How to distinguish them accurately?

Vitiligo is a skin depigmentation disease characterized by the appearance of white patches. Although "white" is the main color of vitiligo, the color of the patches can actually be divided into four categories, and the color of different color types of white patches is closely related to the severity of the disease, so the more suitable treatment methods can be better selected.

Four types of “whiteness” in vitiligo:

The color difference of white spots is closely related to the severity of the disease. The white patches are divided into four types according to their color below. The whiter, purer and brighter the white patches are, the more severe the loss of melanin and the more serious the disease.

1. Light White

Light vitiligo is slightly whiter than normal skin. This is the early stage of vitiligo. There is mild depigmentation of the skin, but there is still a large amount of melanin in the white patches.

2. Milk White

Milk white patches are similar in color to milk and contrast more significantly with normal skin color. In this case, the degree of damage to melanocyte cell function is 20% to 30%, and it may spread if not treated in time.

3. Cloudy White

Cloudy white white patches are deepper in color, similar to white clouds, and are in sharp contrast with the surrounding skin. This is a severe depigmentation condition in which the function of some melanocytes is severely compromised, leaving only a small amount of melanin remaining in the white patches.

4. Porcelain White

The porcelain white patches are almost pure white. At this time, the melanocytes cells in the white pathces area have been severely damaged, and have even degenerated, atrophied, and died, losing all functions, resulting in complete loss of pigment.

What should I do if it is difficult to judge with the naked eye?

Due to individual differences in basic skin color and color discrimination abilities, it is difficult to accurately judge the severity of white patches with the naked eye. However, there are devices we can use to make an accurate diagnosis.

1. Wood's Lamp: Convenient Vitiligo Detection Device

Wood's lamp, also known as filtered UV lamp. By using Wood's lamp to illuminate the affected area, the reflections of different colors can help us better observe the white patches.

- Detection speed: visible results instantly

- Detection accuracy: used to identify vitiligo and screen for hidden white patches

2. Three-dimensional RCM skin scan: a highly accurate means of detecting vitiligo

Skin three-dimensional RCM scan generates three-dimensional data by measuring information such as skin texture, ultraviolet spots, micro blood vessels, and pigmentation, and converts it into images.

- Testing speed: results will be obtained in about 5 minutes

- Detection accuracy: It can accurately detect the loss of melanocytes, and classify the (1) types, (2) stages, and the (3) pigment loss degree.

During clinical consultation, many patients delay treatment due to misdiagnosis. With the help of these scientific instruments, we can accurately diagnose vitiligo and take more targeted treatment measures. So the effect of treatment will be more obvious, the course of treatment is shorter, and the repigmentation effect is better!

Remember to consult your doctor before undergoing any treatment so that you can receive professional guidance and a personalized treatment plan. Early and accurate diagnosis of vitiligo and selection of appropriate treatments based on the severity of the disease are key to restoring normal color to the skin especially on the hands.

What Food Remedies Can Help Vitiligo Patients Remove the White Patches?

The treatment process of vitiligo is long and complicated. Many patients cannot see obvious results during long-term treatment, which makes them feel frustrated, and even begin to seek some folk remedies to remove white patches to relieve the pain caused by the disease. But which folk remedies really work? Today, we will reveal the secrets one by one:

(1) Figs can Treat Vitiligo – True

Figs are believed to have certain therapeutic effects on vitiligo. It can not only relieve sore throat, lower blood sugar, and benefit the stomach, but also enhance the activity of tyrosinase in melanocytes and promote the production of melanin pigment.

There are two ways to use it:

One is to eat three ripe fresh figs on an empty stomach every day;

The other method is to decoct fresh fig leaves in water and concentrate it into 30 ml. Apply it to the vitiligo patches with a cotton ball and take some mild sunlight for 10 to 20 minutes.

However, it should be noted that patients prone to allergies should avoid using it because the juice secreted by fresh fig pedicles may cause allergic reactions.

(2) Drinking Tea to Help Vitiligo - True

Drinking tea is beneficial to patients with vitiligo. The tea polyphenols in tea can enhance and regulate immunity, which is beneficial to the formation of melanin and the enhancement of tyrosinase activity.

It is recommended that patients brew mixed tea half an hour before meals, including Longjing tea, Biluochun tea, Gyokuro tea, and Jasmine tea, and drink it after being cooled to warm. However, you should avoid drinking it within half an hour before a meal and within an hour after a meal to avoid affecting digestion.

(3) Psoralen can Treat Vitiligo - True

Psoralen belongs to the furanocoumarin class of drugs and can cause photosensitivity. After being taken orally or applied externally to the skin, it can cause local skin pigmentation after exposure to mild sunlight or narrowband ultraviolet rays (NB-UVB).

It is recommended that patients use psoralen tincture according to professional medical advice and combined with light to increase the production of melanin pigment in the affected areas of white patches. However, it should be noted that some people may experience redness, pain, itching, and other symptoms when using psoralen tincture. They should inform their doctor in time and adjust the dosage according to the doctor's advice.

(4) Eating Black Beans can Help vitiligo - True

Black beans are rich in protein, lecithin, fat, and vitamins, as well as melanogen and niacin. Patients with early-stage vitiligo can take black beans orally, which can promote the conversion of melanogen into melanin.

It is recommended that patients soak black beans until soft, then cook or fry them with star anise and an appropriate amount of salt, and consume a small amount every day.

(5) Patient Need to Avoid Vitamin C - False

Some food taboos can also lead to nutritional imbalances in the patient's body and affect the recovery of vitiligo. In fact, as long as vitamin C is taken in an appropriate amount, it will not have much impact on the recovery of vitiligo. Instead, it will play an important role in maintaining the patient's health needs.

Vitamin C is also an important nutrient in our body. It has the functions of antioxidants, removing free radicals, fighting oxidative stress, and enhancing immunity. Appropriate supplementation of vitamin C is beneficial to physical health and the condition of vitiligo.

(6) Apply Ginger Slices Topically can Treat Vitiligo - False

Among the people, there are many folk remedies for treating vitiligo. One of them is that applying ginger slices can treat vitiligo.

There are many predisposing factors for vitiligo, including heredity, low immunity, lack of trace elements, endocrine disorders, etc. Treatment requires targeted treatment based on the patient's cause and condition. The treatment method of applying ginger slices has no scientific theoretical basis, and it is impossible to develop a treatment plan according to individual conditions, which may lead to poor treatment effects or even worsen the condition.

Conclusion:

The treatment of vitiligo requires scientific methods and patience. When seeking treatment, patients should avoid blindly trying unproven folk remedies to avoid unnecessary risks. Before using any treatment, it is best to consult a professional doctor to ensure it is safe and effective.