Vitiligo / Leucoderma

Vitiligo is a disease that causes the loss of skin colour in blotches (large irregular patch). The extent and rate of colour loss from vitiligo is unpredictable. It can affect the skin on any part of your body. It may also affect hair and the inside of the mouth. Normally, the colour of hair and skin is determined by Melanin (Skin Pigment).

Vitiligo also called as ‘Leucoderma’ is an Autoimmune disorder wherein the Immune System of the body attacks the healthy cells and, in turn, starts affecting the body. The condition is characterised by white patches on the skin that develops as a result of melanocytes within the skin.

[Note -According to Modern System of Medicine (Allopathy), There is no cure, and it is usually a lifelong condition. The exact cause is unknown, but it may be due to an autoimmune disorder or a virus. Treatment options may include exposure to UVA or UVB light and Depigmentation of the skin in severe cases.]

Vitiligo or Leucoderma is a fairly common pigmentation disorder in which Melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed which is affecting nearly 2% of Population of world, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Similar patches also appear on both the Mucous Membranes (tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose), and the Retina (inner layer of the eyeball).

The hair that grows on areas affected by Vitiligo sometimes turns white. The most widely accepted view is that the depigmentation occurs because Vitiligo is an Autoimmune Disease (disease in which a person’s immune system reacts against the body’s own organs or tissues)

Aetiology of Vitiligo/Leucoderma ….

Like we said above, no exact cause known for this disease manifestation, Its Auto-Immune disorder but some possible cause may be Neurological or Auto-Cytotoxic origin (As per Research)

Vitiligo said to be associated with certain Auto-immune disorder and Inflammatory disease such as Thyroid, Diabetes, Psoriasis and Pernicious Anaemia.
–    In some case it’s may be Hereditary, Children whose parents have the disorder are more likely to develop Vitiligo.
–    A trigger event, such as sunburn, stress or exposure to industrial chemicals
–    Some time, appear with chronic gastritis disease
–    Intralesional steroid Injections
–    Using sticker or Tattoo on skin.

Sign & Symptom’s ……

White patches (de-pigmentation) on skin
–    Premature greying of scalp hair, Eyelashes
–    Loss of colour inside the Mouth.

Types of Vitiligo/Leucoderma….

Generalised Vitiligo- Most common, Discoloured Patches many parts of body
–    Segmental Vitiligo- Only one side of body, generally occur young age, 1 or 2 years after progress stop
–    Focal or Localised Vitiligo- specially a part of body

Ayurvedic Concept with Management

In Ayurveda literature, Vitiligo or Leucoderma is co related with ‘Shweta Kushtha’ or ‘Kilasa’ or ‘Switra’ and classified in to ‘Kustha Roga’

Sweta Kustha- ‘Sweta’ means white, ‘Kustha’ means Skin disease

• According to Ayurveda, Vitiligo or ‘Shweta Kustha’ is caused due to aggravation of ‘Pitta’ in the body. ‘Pitta’ is an ‘Ayurvedic’ humour that symbolizes fire and is manifested in the skin, along with other organs. ‘Pitta’ is of five types. One of them is ‘Bhrajak Pitta’, which gives coloration to the skin.
• In the case of Vitiligo, ‘Bhrajak Pitta’ gets imbalanced, leading to the formation of ‘Ama’(Toxin), which consequently impairs deeper body tissues such as ‘Rasa Dhatu’ (Nutrient Plasma), ‘Rakta’ (Blood), ‘Mamsa’ (Muscles) and ‘Lasika’ (Lymph). This ultimately causes depigmentation of the skin.
• Ayurveda classified ‘Sweta Kustha’ in 3 category
• Daruna- ‘Dosha’ vitiated the ‘Rakta Dhatu’ (Blood), patches will be in Red in colour
• Aruna – ‘Dosha’ vitiated the ‘Mamsa Dhatu’ (Muscle Tissue), Patches will be in Coppery in colour.
• Kilasa – ‘Dosha’ vitiated the ‘Medho Dhatu’ (Fat Tissue), Patches will be in white colour, this clinical presentation of ‘Switra’ hence Leucoderma is often called ‘Kilasa’
• The Disease is deep rooted and needs Specific Treatment that includes Right Diet Plan and Specialized Herbal combinations to pacify ‘Pitta’ and cleanse ‘Ama’ from the body.
• Vitiligo treatment in Ayur Healthcare, consists of pacifying imbalanced body energies, cleansing the blood and administrating herbs that restore skin colour. Poor digestion is the root cause of this disease, as it causes the build-up of toxins in the tissues. An essential part of treatment, therefore, is restoring digestion. The patient will also be advised on the correct diet and lifestyle adjustments to prevent recurrence of the disorder.
• Ayur Healthcare advocates following line of treatment-
  – ‘Shodhana Chikitsa’ – Strong detoxification Panchakarma procedures should be done. ‘Vamana’(Emesis), Virechana(Purgation Therapy), Rakta Mokshana(Blood Letting Therapy) using Leeches are recommended.
  – ‘Shamana Chikitsa’ – done through Oral Medications and External Applications.
  – ‘Pathya’ (Diet) – strict Diet Restrictions, Lifestyle Modifications, Yoga and Meditation are advocated.
• At Ayur Healthcare, we are providing a very effective therapy for Leucoderma with above said guidelines and Researched Medicines with high treatment success rate. Early intervention of treatment (at least within 1 year from onset) gives maximum results.
  [Note – Vitiligo has an unpredictable course and that its prognosis may not always be encouraging. One must avoid Physical, Chemical, and Emotional trauma as far as possible. 1 year crossed and the lesions appearing in Palm, Sole, Genitalia and Lips are difficult to cure.]