Can vitiligo cause white hair?
Mar 03, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Ruizhi
Introduction
In vitiligo, if the rash occurs on the scalp, localized hair may also turn white. Additionally, vitiligo lesions may appear elsewhere on the body. Patients experiencing such symptoms should seek prompt medical evaluation and diagnosis at a hospital, followed by appropriate treatment—including pharmacotherapy, physical therapy, and photochemotherapy.
Vitiligo is a relatively common acquired pigmentary skin disorder characterized by localized or generalized complete loss of skin and mucosal pigmentation, resulting from the functional loss of melanocytes in the skin. So, can vitiligo cause white hair? Let’s explore this further.
Can vitiligo cause white hair?
If vitiligo lesions occur on the scalp, the hair in the affected area may also turn white. Additionally, patients may simultaneously exhibit vitiligo lesions elsewhere on the body. In such cases, prompt medical evaluation and diagnosis are essential. Once diagnosed with vitiligo, a comprehensive treatment approach is recommended, including pharmacotherapy, physical therapy, and photochemotherapy.
For localized vitiligo, topical medications alone often suffice. Commonly used agents include tacrolimus ointment, calcipotriol ointment, or corticosteroid ointments—such as mometasone furoate ointment. In contrast, patients with generalized vitiligo typically require systemic corticosteroids to control disease activity, combined with photochemotherapy. This modality involves administering a photosensitizing agent (either orally or topically), followed by exposure to long-wave ultraviolet (UVA) radiation to stimulate melanocyte proliferation. Moreover, physical therapies—particularly phototherapy—are frequently employed in vitiligo management.
We hope the above information is helpful to you.
