Vitiligo Specialist

Vitiligo can affect the skin on nearly every area of your body. At Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology, the dermatologists offer many ways to treat vitiligo, including utilizing Excimer lasers and narrow band UVB at several locations to help treat our patients with vitiligo. Treatments include topical creams, light therapy, and several others. The right treatment will minimize the appearance of vitiligo. Call Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology in Alpharetta, Canton, Cumming, Dahlonega, Dawsonville, Gainesville, Lavonia, Johns Creek and Toccoa, GA, today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What is vitiligo?

Vitiligo affects the pigment in your skin. It can cause hypopigmentation, or loss of pigment, anywhere on your body. The condition typically shows up in patches around your body. It can also affect the color of your hair and nails. While some people experience vitiligo on one side of their body, others have widespread patches of lost pigment.

What are the different types of vitiligo?

The several kinds of vitiligo include:

Focal

Focal vitiligo causes patches of hypopigmentation in a specific area. The patches are typically small and rarely occur in other areas of the body.

Segmental

Segmental vitiligo is rare and only occurs on one side of the body. It commonly affects the face, hands, or trunk.

Generalized

Generalized vitiligo often affects the entire body. Patches of hypopigmentation can appear anywhere on the skin.

Universal 

Universal vitiligo is a rare form of the condition that causes hypopigmentation in at least 80% of the skin.

Mucosal

Mucosal vitiligo affects the mucous membranes and can develop inside the mouth, nose, or mucous membranes in the genitals.

What are the symptoms of vitiligo?

Loss of skin pigment is the most apparent symptom of vitiligo. The condition presents differently depending on which kind you have.

Your hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, or beard can turn gray or white prematurely. Patches of skin anywhere on your body can also lose their pigment, particularly on the face, hands, elbows, knees, and genitals. Some people experience hypopigmentation inside the mouth, nose, and other membranes. While vitiligo can develop at any time, it typically shows up before 30.

What causes vitiligo?

While scientists don’t know the exact cause of vitiligo, they believe it’s an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks the melanocytes, which leads to patches of hypopigmentation. You’re more likely to develop vitiligo if you have a family history of the disease or you have one of these underlying conditions:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Type 1 diabetes
• Thyroid disease
• Psoriasis
• Addison’s disease
• Lupus

A sunburn, extreme stress, and exposure to some chemicals can also trigger vitiligo.

How is vitiligo treated?

Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology offers several treatments for vitiligo, including:

• Topical creams and ointments
• Light therapy (phototherapy)
• Depigmentation to match darker skin to lighter patches
• Surgery

If you have vitiligo, Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology has the right treatment for you. Call today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.