Famous Entrepreneur Reveals Vitiligo Diagnosis, Trending on Social Media? Is It Really as Alarming as It Sounds?

Recently, renowned entrepreneur Zhang Lan revealed for the first time in a live broadcast that she has white patches on her forehead and neck, confirming a diagnosis of vitiligo, sparking widespread discussion.

According to preliminary statistics from the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, there are over 10 million vitiligo patients in China, with more than half developing the condition during adolescence. For a long time, vitiligo patients have faced significant social pressure and psychological burden.

Because vitiligo often appears on exposed parts of the body, it is not uncommon for patients to face discrimination and rejection in society. Many people mistakenly believe that vitiligo is contagious, leading patients to frequently experience feelings of inferiority, sensitivity, and anxiety.

What is Vitiligo?

Dr. Wu Liangcai, Director of the Dermatology Department at HeYou Hospital, explained that vitiligo is a common depigmenting skin disorder. It manifests as white patches on various parts of the body, commonly found on the back of fingers, wrists, forearms, face, neck, and around the genitals. The patches vary in size and shape, with clear borders, increased pigmentation at the edges compared to normal skin, and hair within the patches that may be normal or white.

Not All Hypopigmentation is Vitiligo

Vitiligo commonly occurs in areas prone to friction and sun exposure, with typical presentation of well-defined white patches, sometimes accompanied by white hair within the patch.

      However, not all hypopigmentation is vitiligo!

Some common conditions (such as pityriasis alba, tinea versicolor, nevus depigmentosus, post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, piebaldism, etc.) can also cause depigmentation leading to similar white patch symptoms, which may be mistaken for vitiligo.

Secondly, even if diagnosed with vitiligo, it is not the end of the world. Although there is currently no specific miracle drug to cure vitiligo, a range of treatment modalities can be employed to control the condition and achieve the therapeutic goal of partial or even complete repigmentation.

Vitiligo in Children

Childhood vitiligo specifically refers to cases with onset before the age of 12. Some epidemiological studies reveal that children with vitiligo account for approximately 34% of all vitiligo patients.

On July 14, two pediatric vitiligo patients, referred by colleagues within the province, came to the Dermatology Department of HeYou Hospital for treatment. After a detailed physical examination and medical history review, considering that the white patches in both children had been stable for over a year, and that medication and phototherapy had shown little further improvement, Dr. Wu Liangcai, Director of Dermatology, decided to formulate a “Negative Pressure Suction Blister Skin Grafting” plan for the two young patients.

The first case was a 15-year-old boy with white patches on the most difficult-to-treat areas of the hands and feet (the largest single patch area was 6.5cm*4.2cm, with a total area exceeding 100cm²). The second case was a 10-year-old girl with white patches on her right lower leg and around the knee. Local surface anesthesia was administered using a compound lidocaine cream. Leveraging their extensive collaborative experience, the dermatology team skillfully utilized a skin separation device and a drilling power system. The entire surgical procedure was completed smoothly amidst relaxed and pleasant conversation with the patients.

Is It Genetic?

Some parents say, “There has never been vitiligo in our family, so it is impossible for our baby to get it!”

This is not absolute. Although the exact cause of vitiligo is not yet fully understood, it is generally believed to result from a combination of factors including environmental factors, genetic predisposition, immune dysfunction, endocrine disorders, and psychological factors.

Diagnosed with Vitiligo: How to Choose a Treatment Plan?

Main treatment modalities include: pharmacotherapy, phototherapy, and surgical treatment.

Pharmacotherapy: Mainly divided into oral and topical medications. Oral medications include corticosteroids, immunomodulators, antioxidants, etc. Topical medications include corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, JAK inhibitors such as ruxolitinib cream, and vitamin D3 analogs.

Phototherapy: Mainly includes narrowband UVB therapy and 308 nm excimer light treatment.

Surgical Treatment: Mainly includes negative pressure suction blister skin grafting, autologous epidermal sheet grafting, autologous cultured melanocyte transplantation, and tissue-engineered epidermal sheet grafting.

Daily Protection

1. Avoid Direct Sun Exposure

Sunburn is a triggering factor for the spread of vitiligo. Patients should try to avoid going out during periods of intense sunlight. If going out is necessary, they should use sunscreen, wear long-sleeved clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat to protect the skin.

2. Maintain a Regular Routine

Balance work and rest, avoid staying up late, ensure adequate sleep, and reduce endocrine disorders or metabolic imbalances caused by poor routines.

3. Maintain a Balanced Diet

During treatment, patients are encouraged to maintain a balanced diet and avoid excessive restrictions. Ensure a proper mix of meat and vegetables, and appropriately increase the intake of foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin D3, high-quality protein, and tyrosine, which can also have a positive effect on melanin production.

4. Avoid Skin Injury

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