8 Expert Tips To Manage Vitiligo

Vitiligo, which is also called “leucoderma” at times, is a disorder in which the skin loses its pigmentation in significant patches. Apart from being just a disease, vitiligo is a kind of social stigma that can make the sufferer's life difficult by disturbing their mental and emotional balance. According to certain studies, people suffering from this long-term skin condition show signs of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, and persistent depressive disorder, also known as dysthymia.

It must be noted that between 0.5 to 2.00 percent of the total world population is currently suffering from vitiligo. It happens when melanocytes, the cells that are responsible for making skin’s pigment, are either disrupted or damaged. This leaves blotchy white patches on the skin, the treatment of which can be really time-intensive.

In some vitiligo patients, the white patches can occur on hands, neck, and face, while in others, the patches may appear on mucus membranes, such as the nose, mouth and genitals. If vitiligo affects a person on an area of their body with hair growth, the hair may also turn white or light grey in color.

Before you opt for treating your vitiligo as you start noticing it, you must realize the fact that all vitiligo treatments, natural or conventional, take time to work. So, the first thing you need to do is to be patient and learn to cope up with it by all means. Furthermore, we bring you some expert tips through this article, which can help you treat your vitiligo in the best possible ways. We are mentioning them below as follows:

• Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 Can Stop the Spread:

During a recent study—which was conducted at one of the Swedish University hospitals—a number of vitiligo patients were kept under observation for around a couple of years. The study eventually found that more than half of those patients experienced pigmentation recovery when they were exposed to a combination of folic acid, vitamin B12, and sunlight. You’ll be surprised to know that the spread of white patches stopped in nearly 64 percent of the patients kept under observation.

• Zinc Can Help Too:

Zinc is another very common deficiency found in vitiligo patients. Zinc has numerous properties that can help treat your vitiligo like nothing else, such as strengthening the immune system, combating diabetes, fighting cancer, and maintaining proper nutrient absorption. Zinc can also help heal your damaged bones, muscles, or tissues. These properties of zinc can work magic on vitiligo patients. So, if you are looking forward to treating your vitiligo naturally, you must start eating more foods that are rich in zinc.

• Copper is Another Great Option:

Adding food items rich in copper can help vitiligo patients deal with their condition. According to the Indian Ayurveda system of medicine, water should be kept overnight in a copper vessel before drinking it. Copper is believed to stimulate the melanocytes, which can increase melanin and help in pigmentation recovery.

• Aloe Vera Can Work Wonders:

Aloe Vera is known to support a healthy response of the immune system. The powerful plant of Aloe Vera also contains some essential antioxidant vitamins—including folic acid and vitamins A, C, and B12—that can help fight vitiligo. The plant also contains a number of essential minerals, such as calcium, copper, chromium, zinc, etc., that may support the recovery of pigmentation on the skin of a vitiligo patient. So, you can call it a vital home or natural remedy for treating vitiligo.

• Increasing Your Intake of Carotenoids May Help:

It is widely believed that carotenoids are imperative to treat certain skin disorders, including vitiligo itself. You can find these carotenoids—such as beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, and lutein—in foods like carrots, tomatoes, kale, and sweet potatoes, among others.

• Try Getting More Vitamin C:

It has been observed that numerous vitiligo patients have a deficiency of Vitamin C. So, if you feel you are also one of them, you must start dealing with it by increasing your vitamin C intake. Some great sources of vitamin C include fresh organic vegetables and fruits, among others.

• Yoga or Meditation Can Also Help:

Vitiligo is often accompanied by mental health issues including stress, anxiety, and depression, which are known to worsen a patient’s condition if left untreated. So, practicing yoga or meditation a couple of times a week can help you deal with these mental health problems. Yoga or meditation exercises can also give you a positive outlook and enhance your focus, which can further aid your speedy recovery from vitiligo.

• Say 'No' to These Foods:

You should avoid eating all those foods that can irritate your digestive tract, cause discomfort or sensitivity, or those that you are allergic to. Moreover, foods that may worsen a vitiligo patient’s condition include fish, meat, tomatoes, pickles, citrus fruits, grapes, gooseberries, pomegranates, carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners, processed foods, fruit juices, and alcohol.

Conclusion:

The above-given tips will definitely prove beneficial to you. However, it may take some time for them to work. So, just have patience and be positive while you try hard to ameliorate your condition.