-Dr.Manoj Kuriakose
B.H.M.S

what is vitiligo or Leucoderma?
Vitiligo is also known as 'leucoderma'. It is commonly called as Bolli, safed dag. Vitiligo is appearance of single or multiple white patches on any part of the body.These patches gradually increase in size & cause lot of psychological stress in the patient as it is considered a social stigma.Vitiligo is painless and does not irritate. It is an auto-immune condition and may have a genetic predisposition. Treatment of vitiligo usually takes a long time.

What is Melanin?
Our skin contains a substance called melanin, and it gives our skin its colour. Melanin protects the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. How does vitiligo start? Sometimes, parts of the skin stop producing melanin or the melanin already present is destroyed. And the areas appear as white patches. This is the beginning of leucoderma. Leucoderma may start as a small patch and spread rapidly to all the parts of the body or it may spread gradually. In some cases the hair growing on the patch will also be white.

Why does the skin stop producing melanin? Though the exact causes are unknown,but can appear or increased because of Emotional stress, worms, burns,injuries hyperthyroidism, pernicious anemia, diabetes mellitus and Addison's disease. But having these conditions does not mean that one will develop leucoderma.

Is vitiligo contagious?
No.Vitiligo is not contagious. The patient is distressed only for cosmetic reasons.

Are all white patches vitiligo?
No.White patches are seen in worm infestations,calcium deficiency,photosenstive dermatitis etc.,

What care should the family take?
To Maintain a congenial atmosphere in the house. It is very important that the patient is relaxed and stress free. Treat the patient (especially if it is a child) equally and on par with the rest of the family members. Encourage the patient to take part in social activities. Educate relatives and friends about the nature of the disease. Convince them about its harmless nature.

HOMEOPATHIC APPROACH TO VITILIGO/LEUCODERMA
In homeopathy we give importance to many factors such as constitution,history and location of the patch before prescribing the medicine.Vitiligo should be treated internally.Extenal applications are temporary measures,once you discontinue external applications patches reappear.

Some of the medicines we prescribe after taking the case history are:
Syphilinum - If syphilitic miasm,patches on lips,genitalia,on skin covering bones.
Medorrhinum - If sycotic miasm,due to vaccinations,patches on muscular parts.
Sepia- useful in children and women.Patches are on face,lips and scalp.
Lycopodium - useful in Liver complaints due to chronic dysentry,alcohol,hepatitis.
Acid nit- mucocutaneous junctions like lips,genitalia.There are plenty of other drugs like Ars.alb,Sulphur,cantharis,cup.acetate,Natrum mur,Thuja etc.