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Taking Isotroin To Cure Acne. White Patch Popped On Lower Lip. Side Effect Or Vitiligo?
Question: Hi,
I was under treatment for acne for quite a long time and i was under ISOTROIN 20 MG for nearly 6 monthly. meanwhile i was on diet and used to take in a lot of citrus fruits. All of a sudden, a white patch popped up on the sides of the lower lip. upper lip is of darker shade and the lower lip is of the very light colour and the white patches are very much visible. What could be the reason for the sudden discoloration in the lower lip? Could it be vitiligo or side effects of the isotroin treatment? There is no history of vitiligo in my family. It has remained the same since the last 2.5 years. It hasnt spread till now,. however once in a while, the lower lip looks whitish. I'm really worried if there are chances of it to spread. Please help.
I was under treatment for acne for quite a long time and i was under ISOTROIN 20 MG for nearly 6 monthly. meanwhile i was on diet and used to take in a lot of citrus fruits. All of a sudden, a white patch popped up on the sides of the lower lip. upper lip is of darker shade and the lower lip is of the very light colour and the white patches are very much visible. What could be the reason for the sudden discoloration in the lower lip? Could it be vitiligo or side effects of the isotroin treatment? There is no history of vitiligo in my family. It has remained the same since the last 2.5 years. It hasnt spread till now,. however once in a while, the lower lip looks whitish. I'm really worried if there are chances of it to spread. Please help.
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us.
The hypopigmentation of your lips does not seem to be related to isotretinoin or intake of sour food/ citrus fruits.
This hypopigmentation of your lips could be post inflammatory hypopigmentation( due to some preceding cause like cosmetics, lipsticks, injury, herpes infection severe cheilitis etc) or vitiligo. Vitiligo can occur sporadically also, that is without any family history of involvement.
The good thing is that the discoloration is stable that is it has not spread.
To treat the same you may start with
Kenacort oral paste to be applied over lower lip once in a day
Tacrolimus cream 0.1% twice daily over lower lip.
Follow the same atleast for a month to see if re pigmentation of lower lip starts.
Another treatment option is to get tattoing of lower lip done where color similar to your upper lip will be tattooed through micro needles in lower lip.
I would advise you to remain under supervision of a dermatologist near by as the creams I have suggested are prescription drugs and need follow up to analyse re pigmentation of the areas involved.
Hope that helps. Should there be any other query, feel free to write back.
Take care.
Thanks for writing to us.
The hypopigmentation of your lips does not seem to be related to isotretinoin or intake of sour food/ citrus fruits.
This hypopigmentation of your lips could be post inflammatory hypopigmentation( due to some preceding cause like cosmetics, lipsticks, injury, herpes infection severe cheilitis etc) or vitiligo. Vitiligo can occur sporadically also, that is without any family history of involvement.
The good thing is that the discoloration is stable that is it has not spread.
To treat the same you may start with
Kenacort oral paste to be applied over lower lip once in a day
Tacrolimus cream 0.1% twice daily over lower lip.
Follow the same atleast for a month to see if re pigmentation of lower lip starts.
Another treatment option is to get tattoing of lower lip done where color similar to your upper lip will be tattooed through micro needles in lower lip.
I would advise you to remain under supervision of a dermatologist near by as the creams I have suggested are prescription drugs and need follow up to analyse re pigmentation of the areas involved.
Hope that helps. Should there be any other query, feel free to write back.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thankyou Maam. I had consulted a dermatologist for the same. He has prescribed the following. pigmento tablets (thrice a day), momate cream (twice during the day) and melswift ( to be applied during the night). Is it fine if i continue with this medication or should i go in for the medicines you have suggested? I have read in the net about the food restrictions like do not eat spicy or sour foods, citrus fruits, lemon, milk products, junk food, etc for people suffering from vitiligo and that it is vital to avoid all these items while under treatment for vitiligo. Is it very vital to follow all these? Could you please suggest some precautions with regards to food intake or diet to be followed to be taken to prevent further spread of it? Seeing the photo i had sent you, how long do you think it would it take to get cured? What are the chances of it to spread? I'm really depressed about it.
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back.
There is no vitiligo diet. Eat a well balanced nutritious diet. Do not devoid yourself of citrus fruits, yogurt or milk products. There isn't any study to prove or refute the claim. We dermatologists, never suggest dietary restrictions. So enjoy your food!
The treatment suggested by your dermatologist is equally good and effective and you should continue with the same and remain in your doctor's followup.
Response to medicine in vitiligo varies from person to person and hence no particular time frame can be mentioned. Having said this, I would like to emphasise your lip discoloration is stable that is it has not spread and hence even if topical creams or tablets do not work we can always think about surgical management like tattoing or melanocyte transfer that gives definite results.
Right now, just continue with your doctor's prescription as topical creams too induce uniform pigmentation in many cases but if you do not notice desirable results in two to three months, you can always discuss surgical options with your doctor. Do not be depressed as we have many treatment options that can be tried. However you have to be patient and compliant with medicines.
Hope that helps.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Thanks for writing back.
There is no vitiligo diet. Eat a well balanced nutritious diet. Do not devoid yourself of citrus fruits, yogurt or milk products. There isn't any study to prove or refute the claim. We dermatologists, never suggest dietary restrictions. So enjoy your food!
The treatment suggested by your dermatologist is equally good and effective and you should continue with the same and remain in your doctor's followup.
Response to medicine in vitiligo varies from person to person and hence no particular time frame can be mentioned. Having said this, I would like to emphasise your lip discoloration is stable that is it has not spread and hence even if topical creams or tablets do not work we can always think about surgical management like tattoing or melanocyte transfer that gives definite results.
Right now, just continue with your doctor's prescription as topical creams too induce uniform pigmentation in many cases but if you do not notice desirable results in two to three months, you can always discuss surgical options with your doctor. Do not be depressed as we have many treatment options that can be tried. However you have to be patient and compliant with medicines.
Hope that helps.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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