World vitiligo day is observed on 25th June every year to build awareness about vitiligo; a distressing skin condition that can have negative impact on the social and mental health of those suffering from it. Inadequate information and misconceptions are the key reasons for the stigma that is associated with vitiligo. It is a day dedicated to all those who are living with Vitiligo.
What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is an acquired skin condition that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or lose its colour. The hair from the affected area may also lose colour. Any part of the body could be affected but mostly involves area which is exposed to the sun such as face, hands and neck. Although it is not a painful condition, there is psychological stress as it often causes low self esteem and psychological stress in people suffering from it. Around 0.5% to 2 % of the people around the world are affected by vitiligo
What causes Vitiligo?
Though the exact cause of vitiligo is unknown, studies strongly suggest that changes in the immune system are responsible for vitiligo. It may be found in people having a history of vitiligo in the family. There is no single cause for the disease; genetic susceptibility and environmental factors both play a key role to bring about these immune system changes. Emotional trauma, hormonal changes, other autoimmune disorders, typhoid fever increase the risk of vitiligo.
Signs and symptoms of vitiligo
Symptoms of vitiligo include white or hypopigmented patches of skin especially in the sun exposed areas such as face, neck and arms. Every white patch on the body is not vitiligo. Vitiligo patches are smooth and have a smooth, clear-cut border and do not itch as opposed to tinea versicolour patches. In case you develop a white spot or patch on your skin consult a homoeopath near you.
How does Vitiligo progress?
Vitiligo usually begins as small white patches on the skin and may spread gradually to other areas. It usually begins in the arms, hands, face, around the lips, genital or rectal areas and then progresses to the rest of the body. Certain patches remain the same all through life and do not progress.
What are the types of Vitiligo?
Localized vitiligo where in the patches are concentrated only in one part of the body. Types of localized vitiligo are focal vitiligo consisting of one or more patches in a specific area, segmental vitiligo is restricted to one side or area of the body such as hands or legs and mucosal vitiligo which affects the mucosa alone such as the lips. Segmental vitiligo is most commonly seen in children.
Generalized vitiligo is the most common type of vitiligo and appears at various places in the body, acrofacial vitiligo affects the face, arms and legs of the patient and Universalis where there is near complete loss of pigmentation of the skin.
Special forms of vitiligo such as trichrome and quadrichrome where in there is gradation of colours in the affected patches.
Pitching Homoeopathy into the picture
Homoeopathic treatment is a holistic form of treatment focusing on patient as a whole. Homoeopathic medicines offer personalized constitutional treatment in cases of vitiligo, where your family history, environmental exposure and other risk factors and triggers are considered before making a prescription. Homoeopathic medicines act on the immune system of the body. Common medicines used in treatment of vitiligo are Ars-sulph-flav, Psoralea, Calcarea Phos, Ozone.
Common misconceptions about vitiligo
- As opposed to common belief vitiligo is not contagious and doesn’t spread through touch and sharing of items.
- Consumption of certain food items is believed to be the cause of vitiligo which is not true. Consumption of white foods like rice, sugar or drinking milk over fish does not cause vitiligo. There is no scientific evidence to prove it and the incidence of vitiligo is found to be the same in people with different diet patterns.
- All white patches are vitiligo is another common misconception. There are numerous other skin diseases characterized by white skin patches such as tinea versicolour, pityriasis alba. A correct diagnosis needs to be obtained from a doctor.
- Another common myth is that vitiligo and leprosy are the same. But in fact, leprosy in an infectious disease caused by mycobacterium leprae and vitiligo is considered to be an autoimmune disease.
Besides availing medical treatment one can focus on a healthy diet which is rich in Vitamin B, Zinc and Copper. One should consume, eggs, green leafy vegetables, various nuts and beans to fulfil the daily requirement. Fresh fruits and coloured vegetables offer antioxidants which are necessary in patients of vitiligo. Avoid too much stress and practice meditation on a daily basis.
Despite the treatments available for vitiligo, it can recur or spread in the patient’s lifetime. Understanding vitiligo, support of one’s family and friends and counselling play an important role for the mental health and improving the quality of life of a vitiligo patient.