vitiligo

[MrJayJay]

It has been since last october since my first white hair appeared in my eyebrow and now its just a small bunch . Anyway some of my facial hair turned white you cant tell and now a couple of hairs in my scalp turned white . My face had 6 vitiligo patches and my lips were starting to get affected . I am now down to just one patch due to narrowband uvb treatment and corticosteroid cream which i have been doing since february this year . my hairs are still white . The thing I dont get is that the white hairs and patches were all on the same side of my face , isn't vitiligo meant to have a symmetrical appeareance? The patches were barely larger than 5 cms. I have also now noticed a few really small dots on the head of my penis .All are on the right side . Is this a specific kind of vitiligo?
I sure vitiligo has something to do with a persons lifestyle . I havnt been stressing and i work out . i eat healthy focusing on antioxidants and i take amino acid supplements.Could these also be helping me? Any response would help

[MrJayJay]

I read and saw videos ginger root juice is effective for re pigmentation?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The most common type is generalized vitiligo, in which there is widespread distribution of white macules, often in a remarkably symmetrical array. The focal type is characterized by one or more macules on a single site and is usually not symmetrical.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[MrJayJay]

I have been doing narrowband UVB with pentaderm psolaren cream and topical steroid cream(at night) treatment since february with 98% of the patches repigmented but i am puzzled . Doesn't vitiligo have a symmetrical kind of appearance?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Vitiligo can affect any part of the body and it need not be symmetrical. Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. Treatment options include steroids, psoralen photochemotherapy(PUVA),depigmentation and surgical therapy like skin grafting, micropigmentation or tattooing and autologous melanocyte transplants. However the choice of therapy depends on the number of white patches; their location, sizes, and how widespread they are and the option that is convenient to you. I would suggest you to discuss these options with a dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.