Even though vitiligo is a common condition where the skin depigments, it still represents a substantial treatment challenge. Treatment options are limited in part due to the uncertainty of its cause. Recent studies suggest that histamine (a compound which is released by cells in response to injury, or allergic or inflammatory reactions) stimulates the creation of pigment found in the skin. So, a group of Chinese researchers conducted a study to see whether topical histamine will stimulate repigmentation in patients with stable, nonsegmental vitiligo.
The participants were divided into two groups. One group applied a solution of 1% histamine mixed with distilled water to an area of vitiligo, twice daily. The other group was treated with distilled water alone.
The melanin index (the amount of pigment/color attained) was measured on the pigmented and depigmented skin sites before the study began, and then again after 5 weeks of treatment.
Participants treated only with distilled water, the melanin index remained unchanged; however, the melanin index of those treated with the topical histamine showed an increase of 38%, as well as greater than 60% reduction in depigmentation.
These studies indicate that topical histamine could be useful for treating non-segmental vitiligo, but further clinical studies in large populations will be required to validate the efficacy and safety of this approach.
What is Nonsegmental (NSV) Vitiligo: Widespread across the body; the most common form of vitiligo.
- Acrofacial – affects the face and other extremities.
- Vulgaris – Lesions are scattered all over the body with a symmetrical distribution.
- Mixed – some combination of acrofacial, vulgaris and segmental vitiligo.