Contact Dr. Arun K. Prasad
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Arun K. Prasad, Dermatologist, Nova Laser Clinic, Calcutta, call 91 33 2476 5600 or
91 33 2454 3259.
You can also e-mail arunkprasad@novalaser.org
Our goal is to make you look good and feel great with perfect skin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vitiligo
What is vitiligo?
Vitiligo (rhymes with little-I-go) is often referred to as leucoderma by Indian patients. In this disease, white spots or
patches appear on the skin. It is believed to be an autoimmune disease.
What is an autoimmune disease?
In an autoimmune disease, a person’s immune system produces antibodies against his / her own organs / tissues. In vitiligo,
antibodies attack and destroy specialized cells in the skin (melanocytes), which are responsible for producing the skin
pigment (melanin).
What are the distribution patterns of vitiligo?
- There may be just one or a few white patches on the body. This is called focal vitiligo.
- It may affect only one side of the body. This is termed segmental vitiligo.
- When there are many white patches on the body, the condition is referred to as generalized vitiligo.
- Sometimes the hair on the white patches also turns white. This is called leucotrichia.
- In rare cases vitiligo can affect eye colour as well as the pigment in the retina.
What are the treatment options for vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a difficult disease to treat. Traditional therapies include :-
- Oral / local psoralens + UVA light (PUVA)
- Steroid creams
Newer treatments include :-
- Narrow-band UVB light
- Excimer lasers
- Pseudocatalase cream
- Topical and systemic immunomodulators
- Vitiligo surgery
How long does it take to see improvement?
You should treat for at least 6 months before deciding that the method is not working. It may take 2 years or more to see
good results.
What is narrow-band UVB phototherapy?
Narrow-band UVB phototherapy is a relatively new technology for treating vitiligo.
Dr. Prasad uses Narrow-band UVB equipment from world-leaders Waldmann, Germany to treat vitiligo at Nova Laser Clinic,
Calcutta.
Can narrow band ultraviolet B be used to treat other skin diseases?
Apart from vitiligo, narrow band UVB is being used to treat
psoriasis, atopic eczema,
lichen planus,
alopecia areata,
acne,
persistent itching, pityriasis lichenoides and many other not so common skin diseases.
What are the advantages of narrow band UVB over PUVA (psoralen + UVA)?
Oral psoralen cannot be given to children and pregnant ladies. It also needs to be withdrawn if there are troublesome
side-effects like nausea and vertigo. If oral psoralen is given, patient needs sun-protection for the eyes for the next
24 hours. Narrow band UVB works well in most patients without psoralen. Therefore the problems linked to psoralen usage are
not there with narrow band UVB. In addition exposure times are shorter and frequency (number of sessions per week) is also
lower with narrow band UVB. NBUVB is today considered to be more effective in clearing the disease too.
What are tacrolimus and calcipotriol?
Tacrolimus and calcipotriol are immunomodulators that have shown promising results in vitiligo.
What is pseudocatalase?
Pseudocatalase cream, when applied twice daily over vitiligo patches, reduces levels of hydrogen peroxide in the skin. Used
in combination with Narrow-band UVB, it has shown good results in vitiligo.
What is L-phenylalanine?
L-phenylalanine is a promising drug for childhood vitiligo. The patient takes the drug orally and then exposes the white
patches to ultraviolet A light.
What is khellin?
Khellin is a substance chemically related to psoralen. It has been used topically and systemically with sunlight and
UVA (KUVA).
At Nova Laser Clinic, Kolkata, we have Narrow-band UVB phototherapy equipment from Waldmann, Germany. Our dermatologist,
Dr. Arun K. Prasad, will evaluate your condition and design a treatment plan specific for your vitiligo.
Links For More Information On Vitiligo
www.vitiligosupport.com
www.vitiligo.net
www.orlandoskindoc.com/vitiligo.htm
www.waldmann-medizintechnik.com
www.kryolan.com
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