Vitiligo Specialists Opelousas LA

Find Vitiligo Specialists in Opelousas, LA. Whether you’re seeking treatment or looking to schedule a preventative screening, we can connect you with the best dermatologists near you in Opelousas, LA.

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Vitiligo Specialists FAQ in Opelousas, LA

Can vitiligo be cured by vitamin D?

Studies suggest that vitamin D3 increases tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis in vitro [12], which may lead to repigmentation in vitiligo skin lesions. Calcipotriol and tacalcitol, which are vitamin D analogs, are also known to induce repigmentation in patients with vitiligo [13,14].

At what age does vitiligo start?

Anyone can get vitiligo, and it can develop at any age. However, for many people with vitiligo, the white patches begin to appear before age 20, and can start in early childhood.

Is there any hope for vitiligo?

While researchers are looking for a cure, treatment cannot currently cure this disease. Treatment can help restore lost skin color, but results may fade over time. Many patients return for maintenance treatment to keep their results.

How much vitamin B12 should I take for vitiligo?

In another study of people with vitiligo, oral supplementation with folic acid (10 mg per day) and vitamin B12 (2,000 mcg per day), combined with sun exposure, resulted in some repigmentation after three to six months in about half of the participants.

What is the best treatment for vitiligo?

Opzelura is the first FDA-approved pharmacologic treatment to address repigmentation in vitiligo patients. Opzelura is applied twice a day to affected areas of up to 10% of the body’s surface area. Satisfactory patient response may require treatment with Opzelura for more than 24 weeks.

Does vitiligo need to be referred to a specialist?

Important to get medical care. Many people who have vitiligo are often otherwise healthy. Even so, it’s important to find a doctor like a dermatologist who knows about vitiligo. People who have vitiligo have a higher risk of getting some other medical conditions.

How can I increase melanin in my skin for vitiligo?

Eating vitamin C–rich foods like citrus, berries, and leafy green vegetables may optimize melanin production. Taking a vitamin C supplement may help as well.

What makes vitiligo worse?

A bad sunburn can worsen vitiligo. If you have a lighter skin tone, there’s another advantage to protecting your skin from the sun. Without a tan, the lighter spots and patches are often less noticeable.

What does vitiligo put you at risk for?

Studies show a clear genetic link between vitiligo and other autoimmune diseases, including those that specifically affect the thyroid gland. Roughly 15% to 25% of people with vitiligo have at least one other autoimmune disease.

What can be misdiagnosed as vitiligo?

Sarcoidosis can occasionally cause light spots on the skin that look like vitiligo, although it usually looks quite different. Sarcoidosis can also affect the lungs and other organs and should also be treated aggressively.

Which cream is best for vitiligo?

Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream is the first FDA-approved treatment for vitiligo that re-pigments skin. People 12 years of age and older can use it twice a day. Vitamin D3 analogs, like calcipotriene 0.005% cream (Dovonex), regulate skin cell production and proliferation.

Which vitamin D is good for vitiligo?

Studies suggest that vitamin D3 increases tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis in vitro [12], which may lead to repigmentation in vitiligo skin lesions. Calcipotriol and tacalcitol, which are vitamin D analogs, are also known to induce repigmentation in patients with vitiligo [13,14].

Does vitiligo go back to normal?

There is no “cure” for vitiligo. Sometimes patches go away on their own. But when that doesn’t happen, doctors can prescribe treatments that might help even out skin tone. Some of these treatments are things you can try at home; others are done by a doctor.