Leucoderma white patch Vitiligo Homeopathic treatment

Leucoderma meaning Leuco - White and Derma - Skin also known as Vitiligo in medical terminology is an auto immune disorder of the skin in which certain parts of the skin begin to lose its color leading to the appearance of white patches. Our skin contains a substance called Melanin, which is a dark pigment that gives color to our skin, and also protects the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. When the Melanin is destroyed, lost gradually or not produced then the skin looses its color and leaves white spots known as Vitiligo or Leucoderma. These white patches are irregular in appearance with an outline that is darker than the skin, they gradually increase in size and also appear milky white under an ultraviolet light. The most common sites of pigment loss are body folds such as groins or armpits, around body openings like the face or hands.

Leucoderma is not infectious, it does not spread by touching someone or handling personal belongings or food, and it does not cause any harm, pain or suffering. There is anguish only for cosmetic and social reasons, with no medical significance.

There is a condition called Albinism seen in children with a congenital absence of Melanin causing complete white skin of the whole body. It is also very important to remember that every white patch is not Leucoderma, there are other conditions that may look similar to Leucoderma.

Exact cause of Leucoderma is not known but excessive mental stress and general low immunity levels are the main precipitating factors of Leucoderma.

Other conditions that can indirectly affect the skin Melanin pigment causing Leucoderma are given below:

Acute or chronic gastric disorder.

Impaired hepatic function such as jaundice.

Worms or other parasites in the alimentary canal.

Typhoid.

A defective sweating mechanism.

Dietary deficiency of proteins, calcium and cupro minerals.

A defect in the enzyme Tyrosinase. 

Burn injuries.

Chronic Dysentery.

Hyperthyroidism

Pernicious anemia.

Diabetes mellitus.

Addison's disease.

Prolonged use of broad spectrum antibiotics.

Heredity is also a known causative factor.

Vitiligo usually begin between ages 10 years and age 30 years, the characteristic symptom is white patches (depigmentation) on the skin. These patches are more commonly found on sun-exposed areas of the body, including the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. The patches can be Focal (only a few areas affected), Segmental (one side of the body), and Generalized (on the whole body).

Some other symptoms include :

Whitening or graying of hair   

Loss of skin colour inside the mouth   

Loss of eye color

Although patches are initially small, they often enlarge and change shape. When skin lesions occur, they are most prominent on the face, hands and wrists. Depigmentation is particularly noticeable around body orifices, such as the mouth, eyes, nostrils, genitalia and umbilicus.

The diagnosis of vitiligo is made based on a physical examination, medical history.A skin biopsy may show total absence of melanocyte cells confirming the diagnosis.Crohn's disease can also be associated with other medical conditions, including arthritis, osteoporosis, eye infections, blood clots, liver disease, and skin rashes.

Complications – Normally, there won’t be complications, even if left untreated, except that it will spread more. But if maltreated, complication can arise from drugs. Since there is no 100 per cent guarantee or sure cure in any system of medicine, people often go on with drug cocktails from various systems of medicines and doctors. This mode of treatment often brings drug effects or side-effects. Likewise, people often go for external application, dyeing, bleaching, etc., which make the skin more sensitive and cause infection or boils. Everyone knows that being in the hot sun make one’s skin darker. In the case of leucoderma patients, it will be more, i.e., extreme darkening of the skin and sunburn. Excess exposure to the sn even for treatment purpose, may cause blisters, ageing of the skin, wrinkling and extreme darkness of the skin. Also, if they had previously tolerated the sun (while having a sunbath), it may become intolerable when they suffer from leucoderma. Itching red rash or blisters may develop due to polymorphic light reaction of the sun. Everyone should be careful about this as sunlight is a leading cause for skin cancer. Leucoderma can reflect in the mind, causing psychological fears, emotional upset, shame, and socio-behaviourial changes by trying to avoid being in the public, attitude of others who insult by avoiding contact. These changes restrict their social behaviour and communications. There may also be fear of ugliness, fear of hereditary (infecting the generation), contagiousness, other diseases, cancer, etc.

However, anecdotal evidence shows that some people experience a negative reaction when they eat certain foods, especially those that contain the depigmenting agents hydroquinones. Everyone’s body is different and may react differently to certain foods.

Here are some of the top problem foods that some people with vitiligo cite:

• alcohol
• blueberries
• citrus
• coffee
• curds
• fish
• fruit juice
• gooseberries
• grapes
• pickles
• pomegranate
• pears
• red meats
• tomatoes
• wheat products

Maintain a pleasant atmosphere in the house. It is very important that the patient is relaxed and stress free.

1. Treat the patient equally with the rest of the family members.
2. Encourage the patient to take part in social activities.
3. Educate relatives and friends about the nature of the disease. Convince them about its harmless nature.

Thus, it is possible to be Leucoderma free with Homeopathic treatment, hence one must consider Homeopathy for healthier living.

We believe in strong Patient-Doctor relationship and our motto is: 'Healthy People Wealthy Nation'

Expose the affected areas of the body to the early morning sun for 20-30 minutes daily.

Use a mild soap while bathing.

Avoid using any cosmetic applications on skin.

Make sure that your diet contains enough iron, meat, liver, cereals, beans, lentils and green leafy vegetables which are some of the best sources of iron.

Avoid consuming sour foods, citrus fruits, tamarind, fish, lobsters, red meat, crabs and prawns.

Use of synthetic clothes should be restricted.

Avoid Steroids.

Avoid stress and learn to relax.

Keep a positive attitude.

Homoeopathic medicines have shown very encouraging results in most cases of Leucoderma. Since it offers a comprehensive treatment as it goes to the root of the problem by helping build up immunity and eventually restores the pigmented patches back to the normal skin color. Homoeopathy considers Leucoderma as a local expression of a system disturbance. Leucoderma is a condition which requires an in-depth study of the individual case and only Constitutional Homeopathic treatment can help. The duration and success of treatment depends on extend of the patches and the duration of the illness. Big patches require more days whereas small spots yield faster. Treating Leucoderma is a long process and may require one year or even more to cure it completely. Constitutional Homeopathic medicines stimulate the Melanocyte function to be able to produce body’s own normal Melanin pigment. After starting the treatment the skin starts becoming pink, turns brown thereafter and starts repigmenting slowly. As Homeopathy treats it from within, when the constitutional treatment is completed satisfactorily, it is unlikely that the patches reappear again as compared to treatment with conventional medicines. Homoeopathic drugs are FDA approved, cost effective and easy to use with no side effects.

Homeopathy treats patients, not the disease, for betterment or cure. Also Homeopathy treats leucoderma as a general complaint rather than a local skin problem. So, Homeopathy does not believe in external applications. The treatment can also give good improvement in cases of white patches after burns or contact with chemicals. The duration and success of treatment depends on the duration, extent of the patches, and patient's susceptibility. During the course of treatment, in white spots, there appear black dots or spots as the process of repigmentation which later merge together or coalesce to mask the diseased whiteness. The patches often turn dark and then finally fade to normal colour during treatment.