Leucoderma Treatment: Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Leucoderma or vitiligo is a long term skin condition which is characterized by areas or patches of skin losing their pigment. The areas of the skin which is affected become white and possess a sharp margin. No drug can stop the process of loss of pigment cells that is the melanocytes. Though there is no cure for vitiligo yet different treatment options are available. There are some drugs which if applied alone or else with light therapy can help to restore some skin tone. There are creams which may help to return the original skin tone. There are ointments which are helpful for people suffering from depigmentation in small areas. Some therapies are also available such as combining psoralen and light therapy. Phototherapy is the second line treatment for vitiligo. Surgery is the option when light therapy does not work and surgery includes skin grafting, blister grafting, tattooing (micropigmentation) which is performed using a special surgical instrument to implant pigment into the skin.

Leucoderma is a common pigmentary disorder usually caused by vitamin D. It destroys the functional melanocytes and causes Leucoderma. Experts recommend that people with Leucoderma should maintain their vitamin D levels in the recommended range. Some studies have shown that a high dosage of vitamin D can work against Leucoderma.

Summary: Deficiency of vitamin D causes Leucoderma. That’s why dermatologists suggest maintaining vitamin D levels in the body.

Application of creams like corticosteroid cream to the affected skin may help to return the original skin colour especially if it is used during the early stage of the condition. Ointments containing tacrolimus or pimecrolimus may prove to be beneficial for people with few areas of depigmentation especially on the face and neck areas. Topical preparations of immune-suppressing medications including glucocorticoids are the first-line treatment.

The combining psoralen and light therapy treatment which includes a combination of plant-derived substances known as psoralen and light therapy is used to return colour to the light patches. After taking psoralen (by mouth or by applying it), the patient is exposed to UVA or UVB light or excimer light. A depigmentation agent can also be applied to the unaffected areas which help to lighten the skin tone so that it could blend with the discoloured patches. Skin grafting is the procedure where a small section of normal skin is removed and is attached to the areas that have lost pigment. Blister grafting is the procedure that includes creating blisters on the skin with suction and then removing the top of the blisters and transplanting them to the areas of discoloured skin.

Leucoderma can’t be cured or prevented. However, there are therapies available that can significantly reduce the effects of Leucoderma. Common therapies like repigmentation therapy, light therapy, camouflage therapy, and surgery are quite effective in treating Leucoderma. If a person wants to undergo any of the above treatments, then medical experts can only restore the pigment from further damaging the skin.

People who are observing themselves losing skin colour in patches or premature whitening or greying of the hair on scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beards or loss of colour in the tissues lining the inside of mouth and nose or loss or change of colour of the inner layer of the eye ball can seek doctors advice to whether they are suffering from leucoderma.

As the treatment methods applied have some side effects so it will be better to consult a doctor before starting any treatment methods. Health conditions may determine the method of treatment.

The therapies that are generally applied have some side effects which include redness, swelling, itching and dry skin. Depigmentation is permanent so the patient will always be highly sensitive to sunlight. Surgery methods such as skin grafting has some side effects like infection, scarring, a cobblestone appearance, spotty colour and failure of the area to recolour. In blister grafting, the skin damage caused by suctioning may lead to another patch of vitiligo. In tattooing it is tough to match skin colour and potential which may lead to another patch of vitiligo. The drugs like those that affect the immune system have been reported to have a possible link with lymphoma and skin cancer.

There are some self care tactics like using sunscreen and using concealing cosmetics.

Vitiligo or leucoderma is not curable. The methods of treatment applied is only helpful to stop the process of losing skin pigmentation or just slowing it down. So there is no such time of recovery from this skin condition.

Price range for the treatment depends on the condition of the skin and how much it has been affected.

Vitiligo or leucoderma is a long term problem having no cure. Only the process of losing skin pigmentation in patches can be stopped or slowed down. The treatments in most cases are successful.

There are some natural treatment for the vitiligo condition such as- skin needling, consuming vitamin B12 and folate rich foods, beta carotene is also helpful for vitiligo patients, aloe vera for its powerful medicinal properties is also vital for vitiligo treatment, a study published in the journal International Society for Complementary Medicine has showed that gingko biloba can cause repigmentation, topical application of turmeric powder and mustard oil may result in positive changes in pigment of the skin, staying hydrated is also very important to maintain a healthy skin.

Summary: Vitiligo and Leucoderma are one and the same condition. In this condition, white patches started to develop on the skin. Though it can’t be cured or prevented yet there are certain therapies available that can make your skin tone even by lowering down the Leucoderma effect.