Segmental Vitiligo: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

• Vitiligo is defined as pigment loss or depigmentation. Vitiligo is classified into two types: non-segmental vitiligo and segmental vitiligo. The distinction is in the affected area in addition to other characteristics. 

• This article will focus on Segmental Vitiligo:  Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options.

Symptoms of Segmental Vitiligo

• The first and only symptom of segmental vitiligo is flat white patches (or spots) on the skin. It affects only 1 percent of the world's population.

• Most of the time, segmental vitiligo causes discomfort. However, it only affects a few people and does not spread as quickly as generalized vitiligo (which impacts larger areas of skin).

Causes of Segmental Vitiligo

• While the specific etiology of segmental vitiligo is unknown, there may be a few variables that contribute to its development, such as :  

• Melanocytes in the skin diminish or die,
• Melanin (skin pigment) production is reduced,
• A virus,
• A virus,
• A neurological problem.

Treatment for Segmental Vitiligo

• Because segmental vitiligo only affects one area of your body,  treatment guidelines are easy. The response to any treatment, however, is determined by how effectively your body adapts to it.

• Medical and surgical treatments are frequently used to treat segmental vitiligo. However, surgical treatment is restricted to the response obtained by medical treatment. If this fails, your dermatologist may recommend surgical procedures to improve the appearance of your skin.

    1. The first line of treatment for Segmental Vitiligo

• The first line of treatment includes:

        a. Topical corticosteroids

• With topical corticosteroid creams, you can restore skin color. Depending on the condition, they may be effective alone, or in combination therapy.

        b.  Topical immunomodulators

• Calcineurin inhibitors have a good reputation in terms of effectiveness. 
• The use of topical vitamin D analogs in association with immunomodulators may also help to reduce the appearance of white patches on your skin.

        c. Narrowband UVB therapy

• Narrowband UVB therapy is particularly effective in the treatment of segmental vitiligo because the UV radiation released focuses on small, specific areas of your body. 
• Patients may need two to three sessions of NB-UVB therapy each week for a few months. 

        d. PUVA-therapy

• To restore your skin color, you may employ both psoralen and UVA light. It is effective in treating both generalized and segmental vitiligo. 

    2. The second line of treatment for Segmental Vitiligo 

• If the initial line of treatment does not produce the expected outcomes, your doctor may recommend surgical therapy as a second line of treatment. 

• It includes :
• Grafting of the epidermis,
• Mini-grafting,
• Epidermal cell suspension transplantation.

Segmental Vitiligo: Does It Spread?

• The fact that segmental vitiligo does not cross the midline is what distinguishes it. Although it spreads more quickly than other types of vitiligo, it resolves in six months to a year. 

• This feature of segmental vitiligo causes anxiety among those affected since it gives the impression that the white spots may cover your entire body. 

• The spread, on the other hand, comes to an abrupt end and may stay stable for the rest of life.

Can Segmental Vitiligo be cured?

• Vitiligo is a skin disorder that is now incurable. However, certain medicines and treatments can assist to slow its spread. 

• Recently,   surgical treatment has greater awareness in assisting you to restore skin color through the melanocyte-keratinocyte transplant technique (MKTP).

• Please keep in mind that segmental vitiligo is curable with early detection and prompt treatment. 

Conclusion

• In conclusion, segmental vitiligo is still the less typical form of the disease. The prescribed course of treatment, however, can significantly aid in the cure. 

• Because the white patches or spots are concentrated in one place, the doctor can conduct a good diagnosis and eventual treatment procedure, reducing the appearance of white patches or spots on your skin.