Can Vitiligo be treated by applying burnt honeycomb?
A post claiming an illogical cure for vitiligo has gone viral on social media.
By Sunanda Naik Published on 27 Oct 2022 4:32 AM GMT
post claiming an illogical cure for vitiligo has gone viral on social media.
The video claims that applying burnt honeycomb over skin treats the condition.
Click here to see the viral reel.
Vitiligo is a skin disorder in which smooth white areas (called macules or patches) appear on a person's skin. It generally starts on the hands, forearms, feet and face. Globally, about 1% or so of the population has vitiligo.
Fact Check
According to Cleveland clinic, 'There is no cure for vitiligo. The goal of medical treatment is to create a uniform skin tone by either restoring color (repigmentation) or eliminating the remaining color (depigmentation). Common treatments include camouflage therapy, repigmentation therapy, light therapy and surgery. Counseling may also be recommended.'
While vitiligo cannot be cured, treatment may restore lost skin color. Research shows that having an even skin tone can greatly improve both physical and mental well-being, says American Academy of Dermatology.
Newsmeter reached out to an expert Dr. Madhuri, Consultant Dermatologist at Apollo Hospitals. She said, "We call vitiligo an autoimmune disease which means our own body initiates an immune response which causes destruction of pigment cells (melanocytes). We use various treatment options which reduce the immune mediated destruction of pigment cells. Various treatment options include creams & tablets & surgical treatments. We use light therapy (Narrow band UVB) & Latest inclusion (Excimer laser) As Physical treatments. Response and repigmentation varies from person to person and also depends on severity of disease."
Certain amounts of repigmentation can happen spontaneously in some people. But spontaneous repigmentation without therapy is unpredictable, often clinically insignificant. So guided therapy is always better.
It is evident that there is no particular cure for Vitiligo so far. Though the condition can be maintained, one has to deal with it for a very long time.
The claim is false.
