Interview transcription:

We interviewed Penelope Pratsou to learn the cost and duration of vitiligo treatment.

How long will vitiligo treatment take and what will the treatment cost?

Penelope Pratsou: Because vitiligo is a chronic condition and it is unpredictable, it’s difficult to put a timeline to how long the treatment is going to last. Ideally, I would see you or your child with vitiligo, recommend a treatment plan and see you back in three months or earlier, if needed. If things have gone as planned, then we might choose to part ways at that point, and that would be the end of treatment.

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However, I sometimes find that if you have a tendency to vitiligo, there is a possibility of developing other patches or some patches might be slower to improve with some of the treatments. There might be a need to see you for a more extended period of time. That also answers the question in terms of cost; it could be that you might only be looking at the cost of consultations and the cost of the prescription that you might have. There are certain treatments, like phototherapy, that I will sometimes use, that carry an additional cost.

I would also want to do a set of blood test on the first consultation. That’s important to mention because, even though vitiligo in itself might not bother you or might not bother your child, it is important to say that autoimmune conditions can sometimes come hand-in-hand. I would therefore want to check your blood tests. That would include things like your thyroid levels and some vitamins known as vitamin B12, and your glucose levels because those are common things that can also be affected. In most cases, those blood tests are fine, but it’s an important thing to take into account.

If you notice that you have any of the symptoms or conditions that we’ve just discussed, we invite you to book a consultation with Dr Penelope Pratsou. She’ll be able to assess your situation and give you a personalised treatment plan.

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About the author

Dr Penelope Pratsou | Consultant Dermatologist

MBChB, MRCP (UK) (Dermatology)

I’m Dr Penelope Pratsou, a skilled independent Consultant Dermatologist based in Berkshire. I have specialist expertise in the diagnosis and management of all skin cancers, and in performing mole checks. I’m a trained skin surgeon and remove skin cancers, moles, skin tags, cysts and warts.

I also have invaluable experience in dealing with all skin conditions, from the common skin complaints of acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis, to the rarer and more complex skin problems, having seen it all through years of NHS work.

After I obtained my Membership to the Royal College of Physicians, I undertook rigorous specialist training in dermatology, before being appointed as a Consultant Dermatologist at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading. There, I helped set up and lead a busy clinic for the diagnosis and treatment of suspected skin cancer. I was also actively involved in supervising and training both dermatology and GP trainees.

Alongside my increasingly busy private practice, I have maintained an NHS practice in Oxford in order to continue to engage with challenging cases and to develop my specialist interest in skin allergy.