Is it necessary to quit smoking and drinking alcohol if one has vitiligo?
Disease description:
My child is 26 years old this year. Recently, many patches have appeared on the body, and there is frequent itching. We suspect it may be vitiligo. I would like to know whether someone diagnosed with vitiligo needs to quit smoking and drinking alcohol?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Patients with vitiligo are generally advised to quit smoking and abstain from alcohol consumption. This is because tobacco and alcohol may have adverse effects on vitiligo. Tobacco contains numerous harmful substances that may damage cellular functions and consequently affect the progression of vitiligo. Alcohol may cause microcirculatory dysfunction, worsen melanocyte damage, and even lead to injuries in other organs, such as alcoholic cirrhosis and cardiovascular damage. Although current research on the relationship between smoking and vitiligo remains limited, from the perspective of overall health, patients with vitiligo should reduce or avoid smoking altogether, especially those whose condition is in the progressive stage. The negative impact of alcohol on vitiligo is even more pronounced, and therefore patients should avoid drinking alcohol as much as possible.
