Chronicity of Vitiligo

Vitiligo is chronic skin disease considering the fact that its having genetic susceptibility, autoimmunity and multiple factors triggering the onset. Exact single causative factor is not known, and one cannot completely remove this with any treatment. Like any chronic condition it is characterised by remission (recovery and disease-free period) and relapse. There are some segmental and focal variety of vitiligo which once recover completely will not relapse. However, in these type of vitiligo now a days relapse at same area or different places observed in many patients. In generalised /non segmental variety too, there might be either self-limiting or recovered post treatment and not relapsing even after long time. However, mostly vitiligo tend to have chronic course. This harsh reality of chronicity of vitiligo not acceptable to many but no existing treatment can change this nature. The treatments can help to achieve recovery (in some case complete recovery and in some achieving stability and having refractory patches). When treating a chronic condition, first one need to focus on achieving remission and then maintain the disease free status. Despite of best efforts relapse do occur, early treatment under expert supervision can easily manage this.