If you have new white patches on your skin that do not cover a large area,
your GP may prescribe a corticosteroid (steroid) cream. This can sometimes stop
the spread of the patches, and may restore your original skin colour.
Vitiligo (vit-uh-lie-go) causes the skin to lose color. Patches of lighter skin appear. Some people develop a few patches. Others lose much more skin color.
A trial of topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment was begun for the face and eyelids in each of these patients. Many vitiligo patients used 0.1% tacrolimus ointment on their white spots,vitiligo Patients were allowed unprotected (no sunscreen) natural sunlight exposure at midday: 5 minutes in the summer and 10 minutes in fall, winter, and spring. They were instructed to apply sunscreens of sun protection factor 30 or higher at all other times.
Medicine applied to the skin:
Several different topical (applied to the skin) medicines can repigment the skin.
Prescribed for small areas.
The most commonly prescribed medicine is a potent or super-potent topical corticosteroid. About half, 45 percent, of patients regain at least some skin color after 4 to 6 months.
A topical corticosteroid may be combined with another medicine to improve results.
Topical medicine works best in people with darkly pigmented skin.
Topical medicines are most effective on certain areas of the body, such as the face. They are least effective on the hands and feet.
Not all topical medicines should be used on the face.
Drawbacks: These medicines have possible side effects, so patients must be carefully monitored. A possible serious side effect of using of a topical corticosteroid for a year or longer is skin atrophy. This means the skin becomes paper thin, very dry and fragile.
Learn more what are causes of vitiligo
Vitiligo (vit-uh-lie-go) causes the skin to lose color. Patches of lighter skin appear. Some people develop a few patches. Others lose much more skin color.
A trial of topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment was begun for the face and eyelids in each of these patients. Many vitiligo patients used 0.1% tacrolimus ointment on their white spots,vitiligo Patients were allowed unprotected (no sunscreen) natural sunlight exposure at midday: 5 minutes in the summer and 10 minutes in fall, winter, and spring. They were instructed to apply sunscreens of sun protection factor 30 or higher at all other times.
Medicine applied to the skin:
Several different topical (applied to the skin) medicines can repigment the skin.
Prescribed for small areas.
The most commonly prescribed medicine is a potent or super-potent topical corticosteroid. About half, 45 percent, of patients regain at least some skin color after 4 to 6 months.
A topical corticosteroid may be combined with another medicine to improve results.
Topical medicine works best in people with darkly pigmented skin.
Topical medicines are most effective on certain areas of the body, such as the face. They are least effective on the hands and feet.
Not all topical medicines should be used on the face.
Drawbacks: These medicines have possible side effects, so patients must be carefully monitored. A possible serious side effect of using of a topical corticosteroid for a year or longer is skin atrophy. This means the skin becomes paper thin, very dry and fragile.
Learn more what are causes of vitiligo
