Vitiligo: Controversial skin cream may soon come to UK

Some call ruxolitinib a miracle cream because it can return skin's natural colour and get rid of whitened patches, reports BBC.

Ruxolitinib (brand name Opzelura) must be prescribed by a doctor because the treatment requires monitoring, the British media reported.

However, there are potential side effects to the use of it.

It can affect the body's immune system, which might leave users more prone to infections such as coughs and colds, for example, reports BBC.

A stronger pill formulation of the same drug is already used to treat some cancers.

In trials of the cream for vitiligo, some users developed acne and redness affecting the area of skin where it was applied. But it was an effective treatment for nonsegmental vitiligo - the most common type - where patches or blotches of depigmentation appear on both sides of the body, the British media reported.

As per Mayo Clinic website, Vitiligo (vit-ih-LIE-go) is a disease that causes loss of skin color in patches. The discolored areas usually get bigger with time. The condition can affect the skin on any part of the body. It can also affect hair and the inside of the mouth.