A controversial new cream used to treat vitiligo could soon become available on the NHS. In trials, Ruxolitinib - which carries the brand name Opzelura - was an effective treatment, but also carries potentially serious side-effects.
Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes a loss of pigmentation, leaving smooth, white patches on the skin. Although it does not develop differently in people of different races, it can be more obvious in people with darker skin.
It is not infectious or contagious, but experts say living with vitiligo can be psychologically devastating. Those with vitiligo can often suffer from anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.
Trials showed that about half of those who used Ruxolitini twice a day experienced a significant improvement, and about one in six had almost a complete repigmentation within three months, according to the BBC.
However, some users developed acne and redness affecting the area of skin where it was applied. It can also affect the body's immune system, leaving users more prone to infections such as coughs and colds.
A stronger pill formulation of the same drug is already used to treat some cancers. The list price for a tube is $2,000 (£1,660) in the US where it is already approved for use.
European regulators are expected to approve its use soon, while the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence may also give approval for its use in the UK.
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In rare cases, it is possible for vitiligo to affect a person's whole body. This is known as universal or complete vitiligo. There are two main types of vitiligo - non-segmental vitiligo and segmental vitiligo.
Non-segmental vitiligo is the most common type of vitiligo, affecting around nine in 10 people with the condition. The symptoms often appear on both sides of a person's body as symmetrical white patches.
In segmental vitiligo - also known as unilateral or localised vitiligo - the white patches only affect one area of a person's body. Segmental vitiligo is less common than non-segmental vitiligo, although it is more common in children. It usually starts earlier and affects 3 in 10 children with vitiligo.
