Homoeopathy Treatment Of Vitiligo!

What is vitiligo?

Vitiligo is an acquired autoimmune disorder in which there is a focal loss of melanocytes which are pigment-producing cells in the skin and give tone to our skin. In case of vitiligo; melanocytes are targeted by the immune system of the body and are destroyed resulting in loss of pigment from the area.

Risk factors

• Family history of vitiligo.
• Family history of autoimmune disorders such as diabetes, thyroid, adrenal disorders etc.
• Associated autoimmune disorders such as diabetes, thyroid, adrenal disorders etc
• Trauma and sunburn.

Types of vitiligo

Vitiligo may be classified into localized vitiligo and generalized vitiligo.

localized vitiligo may be further classified into:

• Focal: in this type hypo-pigmented spots are confined to one or more area.
• Segmental: in this type of vitiligo one or more areas of hypo-pigmentation is seen but spots are confined to one side of the body only. This type is usually seen in children.
• Mucosal: in this type of vitiligo only mucous membrane is affected.

Generalized vitiligo can be classified further into:

• Acrofacial: hypo-pigmentation saw on parts which are away from the centre of the body i. E. Face, head, extremities etc.
• Universal: hypopigmentation covering the almost whole body.
• Mixed type of vitiligo may also be seen in which various patterns can be seen together.

Symptoms & causes

Symptoms

• Hypopigmented spots on the skin usually starting from the sun-exposed areas. Sometimes greying of hair on the affected parts is seen along with greying of eyelashes.
• Mucosal linings are also affected in few, causing depigmentation of the mucous membranes.
• Itching may also be seen in few cases especially inactive stage along with sensitivity on exposure to the sun.

 ​​Causes
The exact cause of vitiligo is not known but a few possibilities are:

• Autoimmune cause: pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) are attacked by the immune cells of the body and are destroyed.
• Stress: Stress may also trigger vitiligo.
• Sunburn: excessive and prolonged exposure to the sun can also trigger vitiligo.
• Chemical exposure may also cause vitiligo.
• Family history of vitiligo increases the chances of inheritance of vitiligo.
• Injury: at the place of injury depigmentation may start with the healing process.
• A hypothesis also states that depigmentation is seen along with the pressure areas of the body i. E along the waistline.

Diagnosis & treatment

• Presence of depigmented spots.
• An antinuclear antibody helps in the determination of autoimmune disorder.
• Thyroid profile for the presence of thyroid disorder, thyroid peroxidase antibody for the presence of autoimmune thyroid disease.

Treatment

• Phototherapy: exposure to uva or UVB light can help some individuals with the condition.
• Homoeopathic medicine.

Management

• Educate the patient and family members about the disease.

Clarify the facts about vitiligo that:

• It is a non-contagious disorder and can't spread by contact.
• It has no age, sex or ethnic discrimination.
• Vitiligo is photosensitive and patients should avoid exposure of skin to direct sunlight for a prolonged period.

Dietary advice should also be given like:

• Cashew nuts aggravate vitiligo.
• Food with vitamin c aggravates vitiligo.

Homoeopathic management

• Homoeopathy has a great scope in the treatment of vitiligo as after thorough case taking and evaluation of the case constitutional best-suited medicine is given to the patient which can promptly help in re-pigmentation and can cause complete cure also.
• There are various medicines like sulphur, arsenic album, tuberculum, phosphorus, Calcarea carb, psorinum etc which can cure vitiligo depending on the case and personality of the patient.

Do’s and don’ts

Do’s

• Take a healthy nutritious diet.
• Cover the body while going out in sun.

Don’ts

• Avoid exposure to the sun.
• Avoid sour food items.
• Avoid cashew nuts.
• Avoid scratching as it may help in spread of spots.