How to manage vitiligo

Healthylife Pharmacy21 February 2017|3 min read

Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition that results in the loss of skin colour leaving irregular pale patches of skin. It can affect the skin on any part of the body including hair, the inside of the mouth and even the eyes. When it affects the hair, it causes white patches or streaks on the head. 

Vitiligo will often occur where there has been trauma or friction on the skin, such as where a bra strap or socks rub. Patches vary in size and shape and can sometimes occur symmetrically across both sides of the body. It can appear more obvious in people with darker skin, however, can affect people of all skin types. The condition is not life-threatening or contagious but can be a cause of stress and concern for many who are affected.

What causes vitiligo

The cause is unclear. Vitiligo is thought to be caused by a tissue-specific autoimmune process, where the body attacks its own cells, causing damage.

Risk factors for vitiligo

  • A family or personal history of autoimmune conditions, especially diabetes and celiac disease.
  • An infection with organisms that have a similar chemical signature to body tissues causing confusion in the immune system.
  • Stress/anxiety.
  • A toxic load and oxidative damage to the melanocytes.

Signs and symptoms of vitiligo 

  • Skin discolouration causing milky-white patches of skin.
  • Premature whitening or greying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes or beard.
  • Loss of colour in the tissues that line the inside of the mouth.
  • Loss or change of colour in the inner layer of the eyeball (retina).

Should you avoid any foods? 

There may be a connection between gut health and autoimmune conditions, and given vitiligo is an autoimmune condition, avoiding certain foods to support gut health may be beneficial. This may include industrial food additives such as artificial colours, preservatives, and sweeteners. Foods that you may be sensitive to or trigger a reaction should also be avoided. 

There may also be sensitivities to night-shade family foods, these include tomatoes, eggplant, white potatoes, capsicums and chillies. A small percentage of people with vitiligo respond dramatically to eliminating these foods from the diet. A month-long trial is recommended to get results.

Allergy and intolerance testing can also be performed to check for IgG immune-mediated reactions in allergies or other subtler immune reactions in people with sensitivities to food.

Healthy diet recommendations

Reduce foods in the diet that promote inflammation and cause imbalance in the immune system. These include foods high in saturated fats such as dairy, meat, poultry and foods cooked in oils high in omega 6 such as sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, soybean oil and margarine. It is recommended to also avoid any refined foods and foods high in sugar.

A diet rich in essential fatty acids is important for healthy skin and immune systems and to manage inflammation. Cold-water fish, walnuts, nuts, seeds, chia seeds and flaxseed oil are all rich sources. If you feel that your diet is lacking, consider taking a good quality fish or cod liver oil, rich in omega 3.

Increase consumption of a wide range of different coloured fruits and vegetables and balance with good quality protein for skin repair.

Fermented foods, fat-free yoghurt and fibre from whole grains and vegetables ensure beneficial levels of good bacteria needed for a healthy gut and immune system.

Antioxidants are extremely important to incorporate into the diet when managing vitiligo. Antioxidants include zinc, vitamins A, C, E, B12 and folic acid. 

Stress and vitiligo

If stress has been found to be a trigger, then consider exercise, yoga or meditation exercises to help manage stress levels. Whatever helps you to manage stress levels, consider this in managing your condition.

Sunlight, vitamin D and vitiligo

Exposure to sunlight in moderation can also help the melanocytes to regenerate, allowing the white patches to come back to their original colour. Adequate levels of vitamin D are also important for a healthy immune system and one study found significant improvement in people with vitiligo with high dose supplementation. It is important to consult your healthcare professional before considering supplementing with high doses of vitamin D, as testing levels may be required.

To conclude

Vitiligo is considered an autoimmune condition affecting melanin production. Finding food “triggers” improving digestive and immune function, reducing stress and supplementing with antioxidants are all key treatment protocols for vitiligo. For best results consult a healthcare professional.

Related Reads

References

  1. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/vitiligo/basics/symptoms-causes 
  2. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/vitiligo#causes 
  3. Dutta, R. R., Kumar, T., & Ingole, N. (2022). Diet and Vitiligo: The Story So Far. Cureus. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9515252/
  4. Mazzucca, C. B., Raineri, D., Cappellano, G., & Chiocchetti, A. (2021). How to Tackle the Relationship between Autoimmune Diseases and Diet: Well Begun Is Half-Done. Nutrients, 13(11), 3956. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8620243/
  5. https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/diet-specifications/adult/allergy/elimination-strict 
  6. Afifi, L., Danesh, M. J., Lee, K. M., Beroukhim, K., Farahnik, B., Ahn, R. S., Yan, D., Singh, R. K., Nakamura, M., Koo, J., & Liao, W. (2017). Dietary Behaviors in Psoriasis: Patient-Reported Outcomes from a U.S. National Survey. Dermatology and Therapy, 7(2), 227–242. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5453925/
  7. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/food-allergy-and-intolerance 
  8. Szczurko, O., Shear, N., Taddio, A., & Boon, H. (2011). Ginkgo biloba for the treatment of vitilgo vulgaris: an open label pilot clinical trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 11(1). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3065445/
  9. Cohen, B. E., Elbuluk, N., Mu, E. W., & Orlow, S. J. (2015). Alternative Systemic Treatments for Vitiligo: A Review. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 16(6), 463–474. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26329814/ 
  10. Mahmmod, Z., & Ismael, D. K. (2021). Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients With Vitiligo: A Cross-Sectional Study From Basrah, Iraq. Cureus. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8790802/ 


Spread the word

This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you have any concerns or questions about your health you should consult with a health professional.