Understanding Segmental Vitiligo

A skin disorder caused due to destruction of melanin producing cells, vitiligo, is characterised by white patches on skin. More noticeable on dark skinned people, vitiligo usually occurs in the younger generation.

Segmental vitiligo is a type of vitiligo where the white patches appears to be segmented towards a certain part of the body. They are limited to one side of the body and are known be much more stable and constant than the other type of vitiligo.

The white patches that are associated with segmental vitiligo develops in the form of small white spots and eventually develop to bigger patches with time. Found to be unilateral they are associated with the dorsal roots of spine. 

 

Effects of segmental vitiligo

Segmental vitiligo is usually found on the face, leg, arm and so on. The affected parts of the body loose colour. The colour change can occur on head, eyebrows and eyelashes as well. This kind of vitiligo is known to show its presence early in life, proceed for some time and then remains constant.

Though more limited than non-segmental vitiligo, it is known to spread faster than the latter. Once the spread stops, the white patches are known to stay constant throughout the life. Segmental vitiligo is usually found to develop in the earlier ages, before 10 years.

Treatment for Segmental Vitiligo

Although segmental vitiligo is known to progress faster, they can be treated completely in the initial stages, that is before the white patches begins to spread throughout the body. The treatment for segmental vitiligo includes: -

• Photo therapy
• Topical corticosteroids
• Excimer laser
• Topical immunomodulators, also called calcineurin inhibitors
• Miscellaneous therapies with low energy helium neon laser
• Surgical treatment techniques

Some of treatment techniques are more effective than other. A combination treatment methodology involving topical treatments with photo therapy is known to yield the best results for segmental vitiligo.

Vitiligopedia is a centre sponsored by MelanoSite, for specialised treatment of various vitiligo disorders.

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