It’s a disorder of pigmentation in which the melanocytes, responsible for melanin (skin coloring pigment), are destroyed. When the melanocytes are destroyed, the skin is impaired to develop pigmentation resulting in white patches. Such patches, sometimes, might appear on retina and mucus membranes. Hair (in the affected) too, may have little or no pigmentation.
Symptoms:
Skin develops white patches, usually in the areas exposed to the sun e.g., face, arms, hands, feet, neck, and parts of the chest. The groin region, armpits, nostrils, mouth, rectum, and genitals also may get affected.
Vitiligo may occur in three typical patterns on the skin.
a) Focal Pattern: Loss of pigmentation in a few areas of the body.
b) Segmental Pattern: Loss of pigmentation only on one side of the body.
c) Generalized Pattern: Loss of pigmentation on all over the body.
Premature graying of hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard can also be seen. Some people, who have darker skin, may also experience loss of color from lips and the inside of the mouth.
Causes of Vitiligo
Exact cause is still not known. It is suspected that there are three genetic aberrations because of which a person becomes susceptible to pigmentation. It is largely accepted that vitiligo is an auto-immune disorder in which the immune system of the person starts to react against the melanocytes in the body. The cytokines produced by the body tend to alter the melanocytes, causing them to slowly die.
Home remedies
1. Start with exposing your body to sunlight for a few minutes, everyday. Take care not to do it excessively else de-pigmented areas might get sun burnt. Do it when the rays are inclined (not that strong) e.g. in the morning or just before the sun sets.
2. Mix Lemna minor and honey with water in the ratio 1:1. Have it twice a day. It helps reactivate melanocytes. Also, affected areas can be rubbed with extracted fresh juice from lemna minor.
(Lemna minor)
3. Extract juice of St. John’s wort, add water and drink daily for at least five months. It increases strength to combat ill effects of sunlight.
(St John’s wort)
Diet for Vitiligo
Healthy combination of fresh fruits & vegetables, food which detoxifies the body, high fiber diet with lots of water is good. Supplement diet with vitamins A, B and C.
Other Suggestions for Vitiligo
Do not experience much stress and try to rest as much as you can.
Hope you find this article informative and helps you be in your swank health.
