Skin

Leucoderma [vitilligo,white patches]

Leucoderma : A condition caused by a deficiency or a loss of melanin pigmentation in the epidermis, also known as hypomelanosis. Hypopigmentation can be…

Dr. Shweta Bairagi · 27 May 2011

Leucoderma : A condition caused by a deficiency or a loss of melanin pigmentation in the epidermis, also known as hypomelanosis. Hypopigmentation can be localized or generalized.Leucoderma is a rare skin disease characterized by white spots and patches . It is not contagious disease, there is a gradual loss of pigment called melanin from the dermal layers that results into white patches. Leucoderma may begin with a small patch but slowly and steadily spreads throughout the body. The actual cause is still not known though several studies have been conducted on the subject. Some of the perceived causes are emotional stress, hereditary factors, worms, sunburns and physical illness.A diseased state of skin where melanocytes lose the ability to produce melanin, a pigment that determines the normal colouration of skin. As a result of which white patches of depigmentation appear on skin. No exact cause is yet known to science but scientific research is underway promising a safe and reliable cure of this disease. Leucooderma is not a contagious disease; it does not spread by touching or eating with the person suffering from Lekoderma. This practice is highly discouraged. Leucoderma patients should not be stigmatized or isolated because of their diseased condition for this is insensitive and inhuman. Leucoderma patients are normal people like us having the same abilities as we do or even more. In fact they are us. Leucoderma may or may not be congenital. As this disease is little understood, nothing can be said about it with certainty. Parents having Leucoderma are more likely to give birth to babies suffering from Leucoderma, however, this does not mean that a Leucoderma parent will always give birth to a Leucoderma baby. Similarly if one member of a family has Vitiligo , it does not necessarily mean that others will suffer from it or catch it. Leucoderma, also known as vitiligo, is a distressing skin condition. The word literally means white skin .There is a gradual loss of the pigment melanin from the skin layers which results in white patches. These patches look ugly, especially in persons with a dark complexion. The condition does not cause any organic harm. This disease is caused neither by any germs, nor is it due to bad blood. It is considered to be neither infectious nor contagious. Vitiligo is a widespread disorder now a days. Generally it happens due to autoimmunity which is the most known reason. Depigmentation of skin happens first which acquires skin area in shape of a spot or patch forming vitiligo spots. No one can predict its spreading without medicines. Some person holds one patch for whole life and another person can suffer vast spreading. This all depends on how far a person"s immunity is affected as per our studies. Facial vitiligo is a very bad situation in the life of a vitiligo patient. As the face gets a white spot it almost disturbs the psychosomatic state of the person"s mind. One can feel embarrassed and get into deep depression after onset of facial vitiligo.Causes of Leucoderma1. Skin trauma 2. Sunburn 3. Mental worry or stress 4. Heredity factors 5. Physical illness 6. Excessive thinking 7. Chronic gastric problems 8. Improper liver functions 9. Worms/parasites in the digestive system 10. Burns and injuries 11. Impaired hepatic occupation 12. Pressure from tight clothes 13. Defective perspiratory mechanism 14. Certain occupational hazardsSymptoms of LeucodermaThe whiteness starts as a small discolored white or pale brown spot, which spreads and becomes whiter after a few days, finally turning milky white in color Alopecia or loss of hair Premature graying of hair General weakness Sensitivity towards cold Hair on the affected area also become white.How is it confirmed whether a white patch is Leucoderma?The white patch will in all probability be Leucoderma if it:• Has an outline darker than the skin.• Is irregular in appearance.• Gradually increases in size.• Appears milky white under an ultraviolet light.THE HOMEOPATHY APPROACHThe outward presentation of the internal imbalance is in the form of white patches on the skin. The constitutional homeopathic treatment is targeted to set this imbalance to normalcy, thereby producing normal skin and good health. That is why local application of any type is not advised and only oral homeopathic medication is used.The aim of the constitutional treatment in homeopathy is to treat the patient as a whole so as to stimulate the body-mind system from within. The constitutional homeopathic treatment helps the body's own natural healing powers hence leading to a long lasting cure.The duration of treatment can not be predicted as vitiligo is a chronic skin condition mostly resistant to treatment. The total duration of treatment varies from patient to patient, depending on various diverse factors such as:(a) The duration of patches(b) The extent, location and speed of spread of the patches(c) Presence of other diseases.(d) The overall general health of the patient.Generally, the treatment is long term. And desire for faster results frustrates the patient more than anything else and patient lands up with just change of Doctor. One should start the treatment with a positive attitude and must not rely on HIS EYES ONLY. Close photograph(s) of the involved area before starting the treatment and repeat photograph(s) every 3 months should be the ideal approach for assessment of changes. One may expect a definite change in about three to five months, depending on the duration, extent and speed of the spread of the vitiligo patches. The total duration of constitutional homeopathic treatment may be anything between six months to two years or even more.The advantage of homeopathic treatment over other treatments e.g. steroids, puva etc are that1. Homeopathy offers long-lasting cure instead of temporary relief.2. It is absolutely harmless, safe and devoid of any toxicity.3. There is no need for any local applications or sitting under sun or artificial light.Home Remedies for Leucoderma TreatmentLeucoderma may also be treated using certain home remedies, some of which have been mentioned below.1. Turmeric mixed with mustard oil has also proved useful in leucoderma. About 500 gm of turmeric should be pounded and soaked in 8 litres of water at night. It should be boiled in the morning till only one litre of water is left, and then be strained and mixed with 500 ml of mustard oil. This mixture should be heated till only the oil is left. It should then be strained and preserved in a bottle. The mixture should be applied on the white patches every morning and evening for 2-3 months.2. Take about 25 grams of radish seeds and ground them into a powdery substance. Add 2 tsp vinegar and make a fine paste. Apply this paste on the affected area and wash off when dry.3. Soak psoralea seeds in ginger juice for 3 days. Thereafter, dry them and grind to make a fine powder. Have 1 gram of this powder, with a glass of milk, for about a month. You can also apply this powder on white patches.4. Another method would be to soak psoralea and tamarind seeds in water for 3-4 days. Dry them well and grind to form a paste. Apply this paste on the affected area on a daily basis.5. Goosefoot vegetable is effective in treating leucoderma. Apply the juice of this vegetable on the affected area, once a day. Continue it for 2 months.6. Mix red clay and ginger in equal parts. Apply this on the affected area and wash off when dry.7. Fill a copper vessel with drinking water and leave it overnight. Have this water, on an empty stomach, every morning. This is effective in healing leucoderma.8. Combine 100 gm each of alfalfa and cucumber juice. Consume this mixture two times a day i.e. in the morning and evening. This is a useful home remedy for treating leucoderma.9. Take a handful of dry pomegranate leaves and grind them into a fine powder. Have about 8 grams of this powder every morning and evening, with a glass of water.10. Neem is very effective in treating leucoderma. Try to drink a glass of neem juice everyday.11. Grind black gram and add water, to form a paste. Apply this paste on the affected area, washing off after it dries, for about 4 to 5 months. It is an effective remedy for treating leucoderma.12. Holy basil leaves prove to be beneficial in treating white patches. Consume raw basil leaves or make a decoction out of Holy basil's leaves and stem, along with water.13. Make a poultice of ginger leaves and apply it on the white patches. It is quite effective in treating leucoderma.14. Increase the consumption of walnuts and figs. While walnuts purify blood, figs have healing properties