What is vitiligo?

Vitiligo causes the skin to lose its natural color. Patches of lighter skin appear. Some people develop a few patches. Others lose much more skin color.

Vitiligo can also affect other parts of your body. A section of hair can turn white. Some people lose color inside their mouths. Even an eye can lose some of its color. What causes this color loss is still a mystery. We do know that vitiligo is not contagious. It is not life-threatening.

But vitiligo can be life-altering. Some people develop low self-esteem. They may no longer want to hang out with friends. They can develop serious depression.

Most people have vitiligo for life, so it’s important to develop coping strategies. A coping strategy that helps many people is to learn about vitiligo. Another helpful strategy is to connect with others who have vitiligo.

How do dermatologists diagnose vitiligo?

If your dermatologist suspects that you have vitiligo, your dermatologist will:

  • Review your medical history, and may ask specific questions, such as whether anyone in your family has vitiligo.
  • Perform a physical exam, looking carefully at the affected skin.

You also may need a blood test to check the health of your thyroid gland. People who have vitiligo often have thyroid disease. A blood test will tell whether your thyroid is healthy.

If you have thyroid disease, treatment can successfully control it.

How do dermatologists treat vitiligo?

If you want to treat vitiligo, you should discuss treatment options with a dermatologist, like Drs. Del Campo at Chicago Skin Clinic. There are many treatment options. The goal of most treatments is to restore lost skin color.

Here are some key facts about treatment options to help you start a conversation with a dermatologist.

The type of treatment that is best for you will depend on your preference, overall health, age, and where the vitiligo appears on your body. Some people choose not to treat vitiligo.

  1. No medical treatment (use cosmetics to camouflage lost color)
  2. Medicine applied to the skin
  3. Light treatment
  4. Surgery
  5. Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes
  6. Depigmentation

Dr. Del Campo and Dr. Danny are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of vitiligo. Schedule an appointment now to receive personalized care for your skin condition. Call 773-286-8111 or Book Online.