Melanocytes, the pigment cells of the skin, being destroyed in some areas is what is known as Vitiligo disease. Symptoms and signs of vitiligo include loss of skin color in the form of depigmented, or white, patches of skin in any location on the body. Focal and localized to one area, Vitiligo can local or affect several different zones on the body. Experts think that Vitiligo it is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys certain cells within the body.
Normally, the color of hair and skin is determined by melanin. Vitiligo occurs when the cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning. Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but it may be more noticeable in people with darker skin. The condition is not life-threatening or contagious. It can be stressful or make you feel bad about yourself. If you are looking for Vitiligo treatment in Singapore you can check Novena Vitiligo medical center.
Vitiligo signs include:
- Local loss of skin color
- Un-natural whitening or graying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard
- Loss of color in the tissues that line the inside of your mouth and nose (mucous membranes)
- Loss of or change in color of the inner layer of the eyeball (retina)
- White Patches on Skin
About Novena Vitiligo Medical Centre
Here at the Novena Vitiligo Medical Centre, we dedicate ourselves to helping our patients better understand and treat their vitiligo. We are centrally located in Singapore and next to Novena MRT train station for ease of access. For our international clientele, we have a wealth of accommodation options nearby to facilitate ease of commute.
Our multi-cultural team is able to engage patients in a number of different languages, this includes English, Mandarin, Malay and Indonesian all in a bid to improve patient’s rapport and understanding of the therapeutic process.
Drawing from a wealth of international resources, we utilize a multi-step, multi-pronged approach to help our patients at every stage of their condition. Together, we endeavour to position ourselves in the market as the leading vitiligo treatment centre in Singapore and the region.
Vitiligo Treatment : Excimer light therapy for Vitiligo : The latest novel treatment option VTRAC 308nm excimer lamp like the standard Narrow-band phototherapy is an effective UVB radiation treatment option for vitiligo. The difference is that this state-of-the-art 308nm xenon-chloride excimer lamp is a highly targeted monochromatic photo-therapy that can yield great results especially for small affected areas in a short amount of time.
This therapy has higher effectiveness for areas around the face. Treatment is pain-free with no downtime. Patients treated with an excimer lamp achieve significant results in a matter of a few months.
Types of Vitiligo
Segmental vitiligo usually manifests as one or more white skin patches that are on one side and do not cross the midline. It has an early onset and rapidly spreads in the affected area. The development of segmental vitiligo can arrest and depigmented skin patches can remain unchanged for the life of the patient. It is not linked with thyroid or other autoimmune disorders
Non-segmental vitiligo is more strongly linked to markers of autoimmunity or inflammation such as halo nevi and thyroid antibodies (symmetrically) than segmental vitiligo.
Vitiligo FAQs – Vitiligo Treatment in Singapore
Who can get vitiligo? Vitiligo is indiscriminate. People of any age, gender, or ethnicity can get it. Find out more about vitiligo here.
What are the possible causes for vitiligo? It is believed that a degree of genetic hereditary is involved. Genetic susceptibility along with environmental factors such as oxidative stress, a stressful event or chemical exposure etc. Autoimmune disorder where an overactive immune system destroys the melanocytes can also cause vitiligo.
How do you diagnose vitiligo? If vitiligo is suspected, the doctor would ask about your medical history, examine and try to rule out other medical problems like dermatitis or psoriasis. A special lamp will be used to shine ultraviolet light onto the affected skin to determine whether you have vitiligo.
