Question : I HAVE white patches on both my hands and forehead. Please help.
Answer : YOU may be suffering from a skin condition known as vitiligo, resulting from the loss of pigment which produces white patches. Commonly affected are the face, lips, hands, arms, legs and genital areas. About half the people who develop vitiligo do so before the age of 20 and about one-fifth have a family member with this condition.
It may be an autoimmune process (the body makes antibodies to its own pigment cells). Most of those having the condition are in good health, although vitiligo may occur with other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease.
It is rare for skin pigment in vitiligo patients to return on its own. Some people have lost all their pigment and no longer have patches of contrasting skin colour. But they still have vitiligo. The course and severity of pigment loss differ with each person. Light-skinned people usually notice the contrast between areas of vitiligo and suntanned skin in the summer. Vitiligo is more obvious on people with darker skin.
Avoid taking foods high in saturated fats and abstain from alcohol. Opt for a diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains.
You may supplement your diet with antioxidant nutrients to help neutralise free radicals that may be damaging to the skin. These areas are easily sunburned, and people with vitiligo have an increased risk of skin cancer.
Evening primrose oil, which contains anti-inflammatory properties, is advised for patients with this skin disorder as it will help to promote a healthy skin.
For those who have vitiligo on more than 50 per cent of their body, depigmentation may be the best treatment option. However, this treatment may cause inflammation of the skin.
People who have vitiligo, particularly those with fair skin, should use a sunscreen that provides protection from both the UVA and UVB forms of ultraviolet light and helps protect the skin from sunburn and long-term damage.
It also minimises tanning, which makes the contrast between normal and depigmented skin less noticeable.