Vitiligo is a medical condition characterized by the presence of white patches on the skin. The patches, which are one of the symptoms of vitiligo, can appear on the skin of the face, hands, feet, and even the hair on the head. The exact cause of vitiligo in babies is unknown.
As we know, skin and hair color is produced by the body’s pigment cells . However, in vitiligo sufferers, these pigment cells stop being produced, resulting in the appearance of white patches.
It is still unknown why the pigment cells stop being produced. However, some experts believe that it is due to an autoimmune disease that causes the sufferer’s immune system to destroy the melanocytes that function to produce pigment cells.
Vitiligo is a rare condition, estimated to affect only 1 in 100 people. However, vitiligo is not contagious, infectious, or life-threatening.
These white patches can appear anywhere on the body, but are more likely to occur on the:
- areas exposed to sunlight, such as the face or hands
- skin that has folds, such as the elbows, knees, or groin
- the skin around body openings, such as the eyes, nostrils, navel, and genital area.
Symptoms of Vitiligo in Babies
The most obvious symptom of vitiligo is white patches on the skin. Sometimes, vitiligo in babies also causes hair to turn white. In some children, vitiligo patches do not spread while in some children, they spread quickly throughout the body.
Initially, these spots will look lighter than your natural skin color. Then gradually, these spots will become whiter and more obvious.
In addition, there are also several other symptoms of vitiligo:
- Loss of color pigment in the black part of the eyes, inside the mouth and nose, and in the genital area.
- Loss of color pigment in hair, beard, eyelashes, and eyebrows, resulting in a gray appearance.
- In some cases, the center of the patch is white while the edges are brownish or reddish.
- Pain and itching in the skin area affected by vitiligo.
- A rash appears on the skin area affected by vitiligo, after exposure to the sun.
Generally, vitiligo patches appear symmetrically on both sides of the body. When and how quickly these patches stop spreading cannot be determined. However, in some cases, these patches spread for 1-2 years and then stop.
Causes of Vitiligo
No one knows exactly what causes vitiligo in babies. However, the condition affects people of both sexes and all races. Many babies, children, and even teenagers experience this condition.
However, some experts believe that these white patches on the skin or hair are caused by:
Descendants
Quoted from the Medscape page , vitiligo sometimes runs in families, but the inheritance pattern is complex. This is because many causative factors are involved. About one-fifth of people with the condition have at least one close relative who is also affected.
Ethnicity
Although children of all races are affected equally, the spots tend to be more visible in those with darker skin.
Melanocyte Dysfunction
The dysfunction or death of melanin-producing cells results in the loss of skin pigmentation in the body. Melanin is a pigment produced by cells called melanocytes. The exact cause of melanocyte dysfunction has not been discovered.
Autoimmunity
The cause of vitiligo in children is unknown, although it is known to be an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissues. In this case, the immune system mistakenly destroys healthy melanocytes.
Vitiligo sometimes runs in families and sometimes occurs in conjunction with other known autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, Lupus , and Addison’s disease (chronic adrenal gland insufficiency).
Environmental Factors
According to researchers from UMass Chan Medical School , sunburn, stress, and exposure to chemicals can cause vitiligo to appear.
However, it should be noted that vitiligo in infants or children is not contagious. This means that a child cannot catch the disease from another person.
Types of Vitiligo
Vitiligo is classified into two different types and three subtypes. These include:
Nonsegmental vitiligo
Nonsegmental vitiligo is the most common form and is characterized by the appearance of white patches on both sides of the body. It is also known as bilateral vitiligo, vitiligo vulgaris, and generalized vitiligo.
Skin discoloration usually begins on the hands, around the eyes or mouth, and on the feet. In some cases, it begins in areas where the skin rubs frequently. Parents may notice the loss of color becoming more pronounced and spreading to more parts of the body over time with nonsegmental vitiligo.
segmental vitiligo
Segmental vitiligo is also called unilateral vitiligo. It usually begins at a younger age, compared to nonsegmental vitiligo. It can involve a segment of the body, such as one leg or arm. About 50% of cases are associated with changes in hair, eyebrow, or eyelash color (a condition called poliosis).
Experts also classify vitiligo subtypes into three groups based on the loss of pigment on the body, the number of patches and where they are located:
Localized vitiligo
It is characterized by one or more spots on the body.
Generalized vitiligo
Depigmentation appears in some areas of the body or the entire body. It tends to be symmetrical, meaning it affects the right and left sides of the body like a mirror image. This is the most common form of the condition.
Universal Vitiligo
The main part of the original skin color becomes patches. This is a rare form of vitiligo.
Diagnosis of Vitiligo in Babies
To diagnose vitiligo, a pediatrician will perform a physical exam and ask questions about family history, other autoimmune diseases, and recent illnesses. They may even refer you to a dermatologist.
A dermatologist can usually diagnose vitiligo simply by looking for the telltale white patches on the skin. According to Kids Health , in children with very fair skin, they may use a special device called a Woods lamp. This lamp uses ultraviolet light in a dark room to illuminate affected areas of skin that are difficult to see with the naked eye.
The doctor will also ask many questions about the child’s medical history, including:
- Do any family members have skin conditions or autoimmune problems?
- whether the child has recently had a rash or sunburn
- if the child suffers from another illness or is experiencing stress
- Blood tests may be done to check for thyroid problems and diabetes .
Very rarely, your doctor may perform a biopsy (where a small piece of affected skin is removed for laboratory analysis). A biopsy allows your doctor to check for pigment cells in your skin. If the biopsy shows no pigment cells, this can confirm vitiligo.
How to Treat Vitiligo in Babies
Some experts say there is no cure for vitiligo. Some patches will disappear as your child gets older and without treatment. However, if your baby’s vitiligo doesn’t go away, treatments can help even out the skin tone. Parents can try some home treatments. But keep in mind that results can vary. What works for one person may not work for another, and no treatment is 100% effective in removing spots.
Here are ways to help if your child has vitiligo:
1. Papaya
Papaya is a delicious and healthy fruit. Along with that, papaya has also been proven effective against vitiligo. To use papaya to treat vitiligo, rub papaya slices on the affected skin. Drink papaya juice regularly to replenish the body’s melanin cells lost due to vitiligo.
2. Basil leaves
Basil leaves are known to have anti-aging and anti-viral properties. These properties of basil are essential for treating vitiligo. Mixing basil leaves with lime juice will stimulate melanin production in the child’s skin. Apply a mixture of basil juice and lime juice to the skin daily for better results against vitiligo.
3. Canary
Walnuts are dry fruits that have countless health benefits. One of the benefits of walnuts is that they treat the body against vitiligo. Eating at least 5 walnuts every day can help children overcome vitiligo.
For better results, crush walnut powder and add water to make a paste. Apply the paste on the affected skin area at least 3-4 times daily for 15-20 minutes. This can help reduce the white patches caused by vitiligo. Make sure your child is not allergic to nuts!
4. Foods high in zinc
When suffering from vitiligo, it is very important to have a balanced diet. A balanced diet can help boost the immune system. Along with that, make sure to include zinc in your regular diet. The amount of zinc in the body is low with patients with vitiligo. Supplementing zinc in the body can stimulate the healing process of the skin against vitiligo. Meat-based foods contain high amounts of zinc.
5. Foods high in vitamin C
Along with zinc, Vitamin C is also important for the treatment of vitiligo. Vitamin C deficiency is common in many patients suffering from vitiligo. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruits contain Vitamin C. Vitamin C is also found in strawberries, kiwi, bell peppers and broccoli.
6. Turmeric
Turmeric is an effective home remedy for vitiligo. Turmeric along with mustard oil and stimulates skin pigmentation. Apply a mixture of turmeric powder and mustard oil for 20 minutes on the affected area. Do this twice a day for positive results.
7. Sunscreen
There is a misconception that sunlight helps cure vitiligo by producing more melanin. However, sun exposure can cause severe sunburn due to the lack of melanin, which protects us from the sun’s harmful rays.
One of the most important things a child can do is wear sunscreen every day to protect against skin cancer. And because vitiligo spots can’t tan (they don’t have melanin), they can burn and scar. Getting tan on other parts of the body will only make the white patches stand out more, especially if the child has light skin. Sun protection should be recommended for all areas of the body but more is needed for depigmented areas.
Consult your pediatrician or dermatologist about which type of sunscreen is right for your baby’s skin. Also ask if your child is allergic to it.
8. Topical treatment
Topical treatments can help limit the area of involvement if <20% of the body surface area is affected. There are three main categories of medications used in the topical treatment of vitiligo based on the location of involvement:
- Topical steroids
- Topical calcineurin inhibitors
- Topical Vitamin D
Current guidelines recommend topical calcineurin inhibitors as first-line treatment for face and neck patches and topical corticosteroids for other parts of the body. These have fewer side effects and are applied twice daily. Topical vitamin D is always used in combination with topical steroids for a better prognosis.
Topical medications such as corticosteroids can make the skin thin and fragile, so parents should consult a doctor first.
9. Mineral complex cream
Mineral complex creams are used as an adjunct to phototherapy. They can help reduce oxidative pigment cell damage. Mineral complex creams may have side effects, but your doctor may prescribe a cream that causes fewer complications.
10. Oral vitamin supplements
According to some studies, vitamin D and B-complex supplementation may improve outcomes in patients with vitiligo. Low-dose vitamin supplementation as needed is recommended in childhood. There is no evidence to suggest that high-dose vitamin supplementation in childhood is effective in improving outcomes for vitiligo. Consult your doctor before attempting self-treatment with supplements.
11. Steroid pulse therapy
Intermittent suprapharmacological doses of steroids are known as steroid pulse therapy which helps reduce side effects to some extent compared to other steroid treatment methods. Combination therapy with systemic steroids, topical tacrolimus, and phototherapy can help in repigmentation. Steroid therapy can cause various side effects, including weight gain and acne eruptions.
12. Phototherapy
There are several modalities of phototherapy that are known to be effective in pediatric vitiligo. UVB therapy is the primary treatment of choice in childhood, as it helps in repigmentation and stabilization of the disease. Rapidly progressing vitiligo can be managed with general phototherapy. This can cause nausea, phototoxic reactions, and pain. Your doctor may recommend an antinuclear antibody screen prior to the phototherapy portion.
13. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy helps in managing the patient’s fear of exacerbation of the disease, poor self-esteem, low quality of life, poor social relationships, depression, and anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and hypnosis are psychotherapies that aim to improve the quality of life of vitiligo patients.
14. Cosmetic camouflage
The clinical appearance of this disease can be improved with various cosmetic products such as self-tanners, clothing changes, concealers . Makeup that matches the skin can be useful when attending events and parties. This can help improve the overall quality of life. Follow the doctor’s recommendations in choosing the right makeup products for babies or children.
15. Surgical grafting
Stable vitiligo lesions that do not show any progression for one year can be managed with autologous grafting. Surgical grafting is recommended for stable segmental vitiligo. This can be done using different grafting techniques ranging from punch grafting, split-thickness skin grafting, and the newer melanocyte transfer grafting. Grafting can cause side effects such as pain and cobblestoning effect.
16. Depigmentation
The remaining skin color is removed using a depigmenting agent. This method is an option for extensive vitiligo when other treatments have failed to produce positive results. This agent can be used for nine months or more. It can cause redness, swelling, itching, and dry skin. It is permanent, so there is a chance that children will be sensitive to sunlight as they grow older.
17. Micropigmentation
Doctors can implant pigment into a child’s skin using a special instrument. This is most effective for patches on and around the lips, especially for people with darker skin. The treatment can trigger the development of other vitiligo spots, and it can be difficult to find an implant that matches your skin color.
When to See a Doctor?
See a doctor immediately if your child experiences changes in skin or hair color. Because proper treatment in the early stages can prevent the development of this condition.
Doctors can usually immediately suspect the risk of vitiligo if the child has experienced one or more of the above symptoms. However, to be sure, the doctor will ask several things such as:
- Is there a family history of vitiligo?
- Family history of autoimmune disease
- Is there any trauma to the skin that has vitiligo?
- History of previous medical treatment
- Areas of skin that are more sensitive to sunlight
- Areas of skin that improve or worsen without therapy
Hopefully this information about vitiligo in babies can be useful for you.
***
