Vitiligo

What is Vitiligo?• Vitiligo is a disease of skin pigments called melanin. It is a disease where there is a loss of skin

pigment or color, which could be due to various reasons. Vitiligo affects about 2% of world population and close to 8% of Indian and Mexican population. Vitiligo is not a serious disease, medically speaking. It has more social significance than medical importance, as it does not cause any major harm to the body. Cosmetically and personally, it can affect lives of the suffers especially in those society, where color of skin is given importance; specially among brown and dark skin people.

• In simple words, vitiligo is caused by one or two of the following processes:1. Melanin cell destruction, leading to loss of color on skin, leading to white patches of vitiligo.2. Defective process of melanin formation, hence, no skin color formation• The exact cause for above processes remain unknown. There are some theories which are

considered responsible for the above processes in vitiligo.

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Causes of VitiligoVitiligo is a disease of which the exact cause is not fully understood. However, there is increasing understanding about the processes involved in the development of Vitiligo. In most cases there are multiple causes responsible for vitiligo. However, there are theories suggesting

1. Autoimmune links: The cells fighting among themselves leading to destruction of the melanin, is one of the reasons. There are other immunological factors as well. One of the studies has suggested role of some neuropeptide (NYP) which may damage melanin. Such neuropeptide may be released in response to skin injury or emotional stress; again suggesting a combination of causative factors.

2. Hormonal connections: Affection of certain hormones such as Thyroid hormones or Melanocyte Stimulating hormone may be responsible for vitiligo. Also, simultaneous occurrence of vitiligo and other hormonal disorder suggest underlying genetic factor.

3. Genetic tendencies

4. Neural theory

5. Autocytotoxic theory: As per this theory, there is self-destruction of melanocytes and hence the melanin. This could be a result of genetic, immunological, neural or stress factors.

There are factors, internal and external, which either predispose or trigger or maintain the process which leads to development of vitiligo. In most cases, more there may be a mix of causes.

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Symptoms of Vitiligo• The typical symptom of Vitiligo is a milky white de-pigmented spot or spots. It may vary from a single

white spot to multiple spots. The shape too is a variable; round or irregular in shape. In some cases generalized de-pigmentation observed all over the body. It has a tendency to start as a single spot and gradually grow in size and number. It may present with a single or several spots on limbs or abdomen or back and then spreading to other parts of the body. In some of the vitiligo patches the hair may turn grey suggesting of loss of melanin pigment at the roots.

• In some cases showing affection of the muco-cutaneous junctions such as finger-tips, corners of the mouth, genital, around eyes. The spread of the disorder is usually slow and progressive. Symmetrical appearance on both the sides of the body (say, on the legs, hands, etc.) is common. In rare cases one finds vitiligo spreading all over the body. It is a common concern among the patients if the disease would spread to entire body; which happens very rarely.

Treatment for VitiligoThere are various modalities of treatment available for vitiligo under different systems of medicine.• Homeopathic treatment• Conventional treatment• Ayurvedic (herbal) treatment• Surgical treatment

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Homeopathic Treatment for VitiligoHomeopathy offers proven treatment for the cases of vitiligo which do not have extensive spread. Early and milder cases may be treated with excellent success, moderate and spreading cases can expect partial color formation with good control, while rapidly spreading cases may be controlled significantly. It may be noted that good control over the spread is also considered a success in extensive cases.Homeopathic treatment works in the following manner:• Controlling the spread of Vitiligo by attempting to correct the immune

system• Enhancing the natural melanocyte formation (melanogenesis)

What does the Homeopathy treatment do?

The scientific and documented study shows that the homeopathic treatment helps achieve:1. Enhances melanocyte formation by stimulating the natural process called

melanogenesis2. Controls genetic disposition by using miasmatic medicines3. Treats after effects of environmental factors such as exposure to chemicals4. Treats aftereffects of emotional stress which may have triggered the disease

process of vitiligo (Leucoderma)5. Corrects the hormonal imbalance such as Under active thyroid (hypothyroid)6. Helps body cope up with stress and emotional pressures7. Individualistic approach whereby every patient is treated based on one's case

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