Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a condition in which the skin loses its pigment cells (melanocytes), also known as Leucoderma. This can result in discolored patches in different areas of the body, including the skin, hair and mucous membranes. Most people who have vitiligo will develop the condition before age 40, about half develop it before age 20.

• Patchy loss of skin color.
• Premature whitening or graying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard.
• The loss of skin pigmentation is particularly around body orifices, such as the mouth, eyes, nostrils, genitalia and umbilicus.
• Itching before new patches occur.
• Patches initially small, but often grow and change shape.
• Loss of color in the tissues that line the inside of your mouth and nose (mucous membranes).

According to Ayurveda there are three biological elements present in our body; Vata, Pitta  and Kapha. Due to above said reasons, three elements get aggravated  in association with skin, lymph (Rasa) and blood (Raktha) are significantly involved, it results in vitiligo, known as shwitra-kushta in Ayurveda.

If the patches are

• Non discharging skin lesions, often poses rough surface, dry in nature and red: Vata is predominant.
• Colour of lotus(coppery)associated with burning sensation and loss of hair follicles: Pitta predominant.
• White, dense, heavy patches associated with itching: Kapha predominant

Kapha predominant which are very white in color and chronic in nature, also lesions of vitiligo appearing in the palm, sole, genitalia, and lips are said to be incurable.

The exact cause of vitiligo is unknown. Although most experts believe that it is an autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys certain cells within the body.

Predisposing/Promoting causes are:

1. Incompatible food like having milk and fruits together
2. Suppression of vomiting urge.
3. Eating before the previous meal is digested.
4. Excessive Intake of
   • Dairy products
   • Fish
   • Radish
   • Intake of oily and fat rich food
   • Sour, sweet, salt, and pungent food
   • Navadhanya(freshly harvested grains)
5. Stress
6. Remain awake during night.

Treatment protocol aims at:

• Treating white patches and maintaining the normal melanocytes count in the skin.
• Prevent recurrence by repairing the tissue.
• Regular intake of supplements can help in long term relief and rejuvenating the whole body.

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding the causative factors. If the problem persists then consider the following treatment protocol:

• Patchy loss of skin color, patches initially small, but often grow and change shape - As the skin cell gets affected causing the skin pigment to lose its colour and spread. Bakuchi, Manjistha, Sariva, Karanja, Kasisa Bhasma, Khadira will normalise the skin colour and maintain the dosha balance and rejuvenate the skin cells.

(The above mentioned Ayurvedic drugs are Herbs and Herbomineral preparations)

Other therapies - Virechana (Purgation), Lepana (Topical application of herbs), Abhyanga (Oil massage).

Bakuchi, Manjistha, Sariva, Karanja, Kasisa Bhasma, Khadira