Vitiligo | Leucoderma

January 6, 2021Uncategorized

Vitiligo | leucoderma is a skin condition in which patches of skin loses their color. The total area of skin that can be affected varies from person to person. The condition is photosensitive means affected area will be more sensitive to sunlight. It can also affect the eyes ,the inside of mouth and the hair. In most cases ,the affected areas remain discolored for the rest of person’s life. It can affect people of any age ,gender or group.

The white patches appear when melanocytes within the skin die off. Melanocytes are the cells responsible for producing the skin pigment, melanin, which gives skin it’s color and protects it from sun’s UV rays. Vitiligo is not contagious.

Symptoms –

The only symptom of vitiligo is the appearance of flat white spots or patches on the skin.

It starts as a simple spot ,a little paler than the rest of the skin, but as time passes ,this spot becomes paler until it turns white.

The patches are irregular in shape. At times, the edges can be a little inflamed with a slight red tone , sometimes resulting in itchiness.

Causes –

The changes in the immune system are considered as the main cause of vitiligo | leucoderma. Some more causes are as follows –

• Autoimmune diseases

• Sunburn

• Intoxication

• Worm invasions

• Chronic inflammatory processes

• Stress , dysfunction of central nervous system

Types –

• Non segmental vitiligo –

It is the most common type accounting for upto 90% cases. The white patches often appear equally on both sides of the body. They often appear on the skin which is exposed to the sun. The development of patches will be slower if the patches are in only one area of the body.

It has following subtypes also –

1) Generalized – There is no specific area or size of patches.

2) Acrofacial – This occurs mostly on the fingers or toes.

3) Mucosal – This appears mostly around the mucous membranes and lips.

4) Universal – Depigmentation covers most of the body .This is very rare.

5) Focal – One or a few , scattered white patches develop in a discrete area. It most often occurs in young children.

• Segmental vitiligo –

It spreads more rapidly but is considered more constant and stable. It is non symmetrical. It usually affects area of skin attached to nerves arising in the dorsal roots of the spine.

Complications –

Vitiligo does not develop into the other diseases.

People affected with Vitiligo may experience –

• Painful sunburn

• Hearing loss

• Changes to vision and tear production

Prevention –

• Drinks lots of water

• Have green leafy vegetables and fruits

• Avoid consuming alcohol, coffee ,fish and red meat

• Consume foods which contain vit B, C ,amino acid and folic acid.

• Add minerals like copper, zinc ,iron to your food

Treatment –

Vitiligo doesn’t have a permanent cure. The treatment works only to stop it’s spreading.

If the white spots are developing slowly then we can treat it fast. If the skin parts contain more hair then there are chances of curing vitiligo is high when compared to the skin parts with less hair because the pigments in the hair will migrate to to the upper surface of the skin to repigment the skin.

Types of treatment –

• Non cultured cellular drafting

• Steroid creams

• UV therapy

• Excimer laser

• Depigmentation

• Micro tattooing

Ayurvedic Perspective –

When aggravated tridosha vata ,pitta ,kapha affects the Ras and Rakta dhatu ,then discoloration of skin start to appear ,this discoloration is known as Shwitra or shweta kushta in Ayurveda.

Beneficial Herbs –

• Khadira –