Progression?

[missisabel]

Hello,

I have a close friend who has vitiligo so this is quite helpful for me to be able to ask, as I don't always want to ask her questions about it. I was wondering, does vitiligo usually keep progressing until the person's skin is completely uniform, or does it normally stop after a while? And should my friend be taking extra care of her skin e.g. keeping out of the Sun, using moisturing creams etc?

Thanks

[Dr Nisith Sheth]

Vitiligo is an unpredictable condition. In some people it continues to become more extensive. In others it can improve spontaneously even without treatment. It can be difficult to predict how the skin will change.

Areas which have lost pigment have lost some of its protection from the sun so it is very important not to allow these areas to get burnt to minimise the risk of skin cancer. Vitiligo also occurs more frequently on areas that have been traumatised eg the feet and hands so its important to minimise friction or trauma