Abstract
Vitiligo can be treated using traditional, new and experimental therapies, and newly available treatments can be divided into medical, physical and surgical types. Medical treatments include topical corticosteroids and other topical treatments, such as antioxidants, tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, prostaglandin E and vitamin D derivates. Physical therapies include narrow-band UVB light (NB-UVB), NB-UVB microphototherapy, NB-UVB excimer laser and monochromatic excimer light. All can be safely used in children. NB-UVB is recommended for generalized vitiligo, while the others are indicated in patients affected by segmental and bilateral symmetrical vitiligo with a cutaneous involvement of less than 20%. They enable drastic reduction of the total dose of radiation, even though they preserve a potential long-term carcinogenic risk that has to be considered in this type of patient. Surgical therapies are reserved for adolescent or adult patients with a stable vitiligo.
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Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
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