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If you had a magic lamp...... and you could change one thing ......... would it be your vitiligo? That’s a pretty big question. Vitiligo has definitely had a significant impact on my life. I don’t like it – at times I resent it for all I feel it’s taken from me. Even after 26 years of living with this disease, it still affects decisions I make and the way I live my life, every single day. Unless they’ve walked in your shoes, very few people understand what it’s like to have a disease like vitiligo. No, it doesn’t hurt.... physically. But, does that mean that vitiligo should be dismissed as a disease, bypassed for research dollars, or that those affected are somehow less worthy of receiving treatment? Absolutely not! VSI is actively working to inform researchers, clinicians, insurers, government, and funders on the needs of our community. We’ve made great strides, but comprehensive change requires unified support and funding. There are things we can’t change.
With Your Help We Can Change Lives VSI is a member-supported 501(c)(3) charitable organization Become a VSI Supporting Member! Support VSI’s work through PayPal Sincerely,
Flu Shots, Allergy Shots, and
Each Fall as flu season appears on the horizon, VSI experiences an uptick in requests for information on the potential for flu vaccinations to cause problems for vitiligo. Spring and Fall raise similar concerns from those suffering from allergies, and childhood vaccinations are an ongoing concern for many parents. Each of these types of immune therapy plays a very important role in overall health and wellbeing. However, as with any type of medical therapy, each brings the potential for a range of side-effects that is a source of great concern for many.Vitiligo, Autoimmune Disease, and Vaccinations Rather than just addressing the general safety profiles of the various therapies, the objective of this article is to delve into the more specific concerns for those affected by vitiligo. 
Because vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, many of the questions we receive relate to autoimmunity, which can also be complicated and confusing. So, before we get into the specific types of vaccines, we’re going to begin with a bit of background information to provide a foundation of understanding for the more specific therapies. Autoimmune vs. Immune Deficient 
One common area of misconception is the difference between an autoimmune disease and immune deficiency. Immune deficiency (or immunodeficiency disorders) reduces the ability of your body’s immune system to defend itself from foreign cells such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or disease, such as cancer. An example of an immunodeficiency disorder would be HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Autoimmune diseases are the result of the other side of immune dysfunction, whereby the immune system becomes overactive, or hyper-responsive, and begins mistakenly attacking cells within its own body. In the case of vitiligo, your body’s immune system is attacking your melanocytes, which are your pigment-making cells. Treatment for autoimmune diseases generally focuses on reducing or suppressing this overactive immune response. Some autoimmune diseases affect multiple body systems, causing debilitating side effects and requiring long-term, systemic, immune-suppressing medications. These types of drugs are typically administered as tablets, capsules, liquids, or injections, and can weaken the immune system, causing secondary immunosuppression.
Autoimmune Disease and Vaccines Autoimmune diseases occur only in those genetically predisposed; however, they require an environmental trigger. In the case of vitiligo, this is why with identical twins, both twins develop vitiligo only 23% of the time. Infections and viruses have been established as leading environmental triggers of autoimmune disease. It is a rare exception for a non-immunocompromised person with an autoimmune disease to experience the onset or worsening of disease after a vaccination. However, many vaccine-preventable infections are known to negatively affect the course of autoimmune diseases. Vaccine-related autoimmunity, though quite rare, does occur in what would seem to be a susceptible subpopulation. One such documentable event occurred in 1976, when the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) was higher than normal in those who received the swine flu vaccine. Research indicates that those vaccine recipients had a higher risk (about 1 additional case per 100,000 vaccinated) of developing GBS than those who were not vaccinated. Many studies have been done since that time to determine if other flu vaccines were associated with an increased risk of GBS. Almost all of the studies found no association; however, two suggested that approximately 1 in 1 million vaccinated people may be at risk of developing GBS. For those who have reason to believe they might be a part of this subpopulation, it would be wise to discuss the risk vs. benefit of vaccines with their doctor. Live Vaccines According to vaccines.gov: “Live, attenuated vaccines contain a version of the living microbe that has been weakened in the lab so it can’t cause disease. Because a live, attenuated vaccine is the closest thing to a natural infection, these vaccines are good “teachers” of the immune system: They elicit strong cellular and antibody responses and often confer lifelong immunity with only one or two doses.” Several types of live-attenuated viral vaccines (LAV), such as live-attenuated influenza, measles, mumps and rubella, oral polio, and rotavirus, have been used safely by healthy individuals for decades. However, their use is not recommended for those considered immunocompromised, or with weakened immune systems.
Flu Shots
Who Should Get a Flu Shot? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), all age groups are susceptible to influenza and “everyone 6 months and older is recommended for annual flu vaccination with rare exception.” Flu Vaccinations Are Particularly Important for Those at High Risk of Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old Those with medical conditions such as: Asthma Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids or chemotherapy Endocrine disorders including the following associated with vitiligo: Hypo- and Hyper- Thyroid Disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Graves’ Disease, Type 1 Diabetes, Addison’s Disease, Adrenal Disorders, and Metabolic Syndrome Who Cannot Get a Flu Shot?
Because vaccines are developed by being injected into chicken eggs to incubate, if you have an allergy to eggs, you should discuss the options with your physician. There is an alternative formula called Flublok that does not use the influenza virus or chicken eggs in its manufacturing process. Live Flu Vaccine Not Available in 2016
Childhood Vaccines:
Another area of concern for many parents is the potential of a severe reaction or side effect as a result of immunizations, the rising number of recommended vaccines, and especially the number they receive at one time. According to 2016 research, the risk of serious side effects from childhood vaccines is statistically considered as rare.
Regarding the overall increase in the number of childhood vaccines, and the number given in a single office visit, there are actually two separate issues to address.
Twenty years ago, children received about 5 shots that included a total of 7 vaccines. Today, the recommended childhood vaccine schedule includes over 20 shots that include about 11 vaccines by age 2. It’s important to understand that the immunological response is caused by the exposure to the antigens, (the proteins in the vaccines that stimulate the immune response) not the number of needle sticks. While it is true that the number of recommended childhood vaccines has increased substantially over the years, the vaccines used today are actually easier on the immune system than those of the past because they contain a greatly reduced number of antigens. For example, in the 1990s, the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine exposed the body to more than 3,000 antigens, with the total number of antigens from childhood vaccinations reaching up to 15,250 by age two. Spreading Out Vaccines A 2012 survey reported that nearly all pediatricians had been asked by parents if they would “space-out” their children’s vaccines. In spite of the fact that to do so would go against expert advice as well as their own judgement and training, 74% agreed. The main reason given for agreeing to this practice was their concern for losing the patient’s business. The Physicians Also Cited the Following Concerns:
The 2015 measles outbreak began when 40 people were exposed while visiting Disneyland theme parks in Southern California. According to the CDC, this outbreak was the direct result of families who deliberately delayed or refused to vaccinate their children. In 6 weeks’ time, their decision resulted in infecting 125 people from 7 states.
A new survey taken after the Disneyland outbreak revealed that pediatricians across America are under pressure to refuse to accept unvaccinated children. Parents do not want to take their child to a clinic where they risk exposure to unvaccinated individuals. Allergy Shots and Autoimmune Disease
Allergy symptoms can not only make a person feel miserable, but if left uncontrolled can lead to other problems such as migraines, sinus infections, eczema, ear infections, and asthma. Over time, they can wear down or compromise the immune system, leaving it vulnerable to other underlying conditions, such as autoimmune disease. However, many people are concerned about the possibility of allergy immunotherapy triggering or worsening an autoimmune disease. Subcutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy (SCIT), commonly known as allergy shots, has long been considered a safe and effective allergen immunotherapy used to desensitize the immune response. Side effects are typically local (at the site of injection) and mild, and are primarily dependent on the appropriate dosage, rather than the specific allergen. In most instances, if a side effect is observed, lowering the dosage corrects the problem. Because of the risk, albeit quite rare, of a serious allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis, this type of treatment should only be administered in a medical environment. Several long-term observational studies have investigated the potential of allergy shots (SCIT) as a trigger of autoimmune disease. A Danish study compared 18,841 people who received SCIT with 428, 484 that received conventional allergy therapy (CAT), such as nasal steroids or oral antihistamines, over a period of 10 years, and found that those receiving SCIT were associated with a lower risk of autoimmune disease as well asacute myocardial infarction (heart attacks), ischemic heart disease, and a decreased all-cause mortality (death from any cause). In October 2015, a Polish long-term (20 years) observational study, evaluated the incidence of autoimmune disease and/or the presence of serum autoantibodies, in 1,888 patients who had received specific immunotherapy (SIT) compared to two control groups: a) allergic patients who had never received SIT, and b) people without allergies. The study found no significant difference in autoimmune disease prevalence between the allergic patients with or without SIT. Allergy Shots Are Not Recommended for the Following:
Closing In America, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continuously monitors the safety of vaccines by working in close partnership with other federal, state and local agencies, as well as private entities. As noted, though the risk of side effects is in most cases considered rare, vaccines, like any medicine, are capable of causing severe side effects or allergic reactions. The information provided in this article is for informational purposes and not intended as medical advice. Each person’s health is unique to their own set of circumstances. All medical decisions should be discussed with your health care provider. Click Here for Additional Information on Vaccine Safety and Monitoring
What's On Your Mind? Q.Where Can I Buy the Depigmentation Prescription?
Highlights of recently-published medical The Relationship Between Allergy Shots and Autoimmunity Many people worry that because allergy shots intentionally challenge the immune system, that they will somehow trigger a negative autoimmune response. This concern inspired Dr. Andrzej Bozek of Poland and his group to see if people who had received allergy shots (specific immunotherapy, or SIT) had indications of autoimmune disease or had produced autoantibodies in their blood serum. The researchers observed 1,888 patients, 902 women and 986 men, who had received SIT 20 years previously. They looked for new occurrences of autoimmune disease or autoantibodies in the blood. The group that had received SIT was compared to two different control groups: a) allergic patients who had not received SIT, and b) people without allergies. While no difference in prevalence of autoimmune diseases was found between allergic patients whether or not they had received SIT, we found it interesting that Dr. Bozek’s group found a higher incidence of 4 different autoimmune diseases in the nonallergic control group, as well as a significant increase in 8 different autoantibodies in the same group, over this 20-year time period. The most commonly found autoimmune disease in the nonallergic group was Hashimoto’s disease, which is also the most common autoimmune disease associated with vitiligo patients. The researchers concluded that receiving SIT was not related to triggering autoimmune disease or the production of autoantibodies in the blood of allergic patients.
Stem Cell Research May Help Repigment Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that targets melanocytes (pigment-making cells), which are located in the hair follicles. Consequently, areas of the body that do not have hair or hair follicles can be quite difficult to repigment. External skin that is naturally hairless and devoid of hair follicles is referred to as glabrous skin.
Stem cell research is opening new possibilities for many health disorders. The discovery of skin stem cells could benefit one of vitiligo’s most challenging treatment conundrums. Adult stem cells are responsible for cell regeneration and are typically dormant unless activated by some type of disease or injury. When called upon, they undergo a process called differentiation to form the specialized cell types of the tissue in which they reside. A newly released study from India wanted to find out if depigmented glabrous skin contained stem cells that could potentially be a source of repigmentation. The authors were quite encouraged when their research identified stem cells “capable of self-renewal and differentiating into melanocytes.” Although they do not believe current treatments are effective enough to “activate these dermal stem cells differentiation and their migration to the depigmented epidermis,” they are hopeful their findings will lead to new methods of stimulating these cells, further advancing techniques to repigment glabrous skin.Click here for additional information on stem cells.
Vitiligo Research Study in New York City.
Needling Clinical Trial in New Jersey
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The brand name product known as "Benoquin" is no longer being made. However, the generic product, Monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (MBEH) is still available from compounding pharmacies. Commonly known as monobenzone, the prescription can be ordered in strengths of 10%, 20% (most often), 30% or 40%.
