Vitiligo Treatment at Home
Vitiligo or white spots on the body are a skin problem. Vitiligo can occur when melanin-producing melanocyte cells, which function to maintain skin color, are reduced due to immunity disorder. If these patches are not treated in time, they can spread all over the body and they can be difficult to treat. In this article, we will discuss the causes of white patches or leucoderma and useful home remedies to treat white spots on the skin. We will also explore the symptoms of white patches in the skin and the types of Vitiligo.
What is Vitiligo or White Spot?
Vitiligo is a skin disease where the skin loses its color in patches. A skin pigment called melanin produced by melanocyte cells present in the skin is responsible for our skin tone or color. In vitiligo, these melanin-producing melanocyte cells get affected due to several reasons and either die or do not produce melanin, which results in depigmentation of the skin. Vitiligo is a non-contagious skin condition. These likely affect people of any race or ethnicity but more common with people having darker skin.
Causes of Vitiligo
There can be many reasons for white spots on your skin and some of these are given below-
]Problems associated with the immune system can cause white spots on your skin. Under the autoimmune condition, the immunity system mistakenly attacks the melanocytes (melanin-producing cells present in the skin, which act to maintain skin complexion). Skin de-pigmentation due to autoimmunity develops before the age of 40.
]The problem of white spots may be genetic. Fading of skin color can be inherited if have a family history.
]Vitiligo may sometimes cause due to thyroid dysfunction. Hyperthyroidism can lead to autoimmunity disease and which in turn can cause vitiligo.
]Harm to the skin due to critical sunburn
Apart from this, there may be the following reasons for white spots on the skin, for which little scientific evidence is available yet –
· Due to injury
· Any kind of stress
· Due to pregnancy
· Exposure to industrial chemicals
Deficiencies of some nutrients like vitamin B12, folate, copper, and zinc may aggravate the condition of vitiligo.
Symptoms of Vitiligo
Symptoms begin to appear before white spots appear. By treating it immediately, the effect of this problem can be prevented. Know the symptoms of white spots below.
· Normal skin color begins to change into irregular or round or oval patches of depigmented skin.
· Spots appear on the armpit, genitalia, and stomach due to exposure to the sun’s rays.
· Hair, eyelash, eyebrows, and beard begin premature whitening or graying.
· The color of the pupils of the eyes start changing.
· Changes in the color of the mucous membrane also indicates white spots.
Types of Vitiligo
The types of vitiligo can be determined according to their area of influence. Know below the types of white spots are there.
1. Non-segmented or Generalize vitiligo:These are the most common form of leucoderma accounting for a 90percent of the cases and are found in all age groups. In this, lesions are seen mirrored on both sides of the body. A person suffering from generalized vitiligo has white spots on the hands, wrists, elbows, underarms, eyelids, nose, lips, ears, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. This type of vitiligo spreads continuously.
2. Segmental Vitiligo: The effect of this type is seen in only one side of the body and is mostly found in children. This type of vitiligo affects the skin attached to nerves arising from the dorsal root of the spine. This type of white spot targets the face, neck, arms, or legs. These lesions often begin in childhood and stop spreading in a few years.
3. Universal Vitiligo: It is a severe form of white spot, which affects 80 percent of the body.
4. Lip-Tip Vitiligo: This is an uncommon form of vitiligo, the effect of which is visible on the lips and toes.
5. Focal Vitiligo: This is an unusual form of white patch, in which some lesions are visible on the skin. Sometimes the focal vitiligo generalized as the first stage of vitiligo. Focal vitiligo is easier to treat than generalized vitiligo.
Complications Associated With Vitiligo:-
Vitiligo is mostly harmless. However, if kept untreated sometimes people suffering from this condition are more likely to experience:
· Loss of hearing
· Painful sunburn
· Changes in vision and tear production
11 EFFECTIVE HOME REMEDIES FOR VITILIGO TREATMENT
As per Vitiligo Support International lacks healthy levels of certain nutrients may be to cause this genetic condition. Remember vitiligo is a life-long condition and this cannot be cured. However, eating certain foods and applying these home remedies could improve and check the worsening of your vitiligo. Vitiligo on the skin can be reduced by treating it in a domestic way and it can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body. Learn the exact home remedies for vitiligo below.
1. Ginkgo Biloba Extract
The herb Ginkgo biloba is found to be an effective treatment of vitiligo, it not only arrests the progression of the disease it also induces repigmentation. Ginkgo biloba extract has immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties. Oxidative stress has recently shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and Ginkgo biloba is effective to reduce this oxidative stress.
A clinical trial of Ginkgo biloba extract on a group of fifty-two patients has shown to have significant outcomes. The study found G. biloba extract controls the activity of the disease progression in patients with restricted and slow-spreading vitiligo and induces repigmentation of vitiliginous areas. G. Biloba extract seems to be well tolerated a simple, safe, and effective therapy for arresting the progression of the vitiligo.
How to apply Apply 60 mg of G. Biloba extract two times per day for 12 weeks.
2. Aloe Vera For Vitiligo Treatment
Material required
A fresh aloe vera leaf
How to use
· Remove the gel from the aloe vera leaves with the help of a knife and a spoon.
· Now apply this gel on the affected area and leave it for a few hours.
How often apply
· Apply this remedy 2 to 3 times every day.
How beneficial
Aloe vera is an important ayurvedic medicine, which supports the immune system and considered very beneficial for the skin. It works by removing wrinkles and stretch marks from the skin. It also acts to promote pigmentation in the skin, which can be overcome by the white spots of the skin.
3. Mustard Oil And Turmeric For Vitiligo Treatment
Material required
· 250 ml mustard oil
· 5 teaspoons turmeric powder
How to use
· Add turmeric to mustard oil and mix well.
· Now apply this mixture on the affected area and leave it like this for 20 minutes.
· Store leftover oil in an airtight container for further use.
How often to apply
· Apply this remedy twice a day
How beneficial
Home remedies for white spots can be prepared by mixing mustard oil and turmeric. Turmeric is known to have antioxidant properties, which can erase whiten spots in the skin. Mustard oil helps to activate the affected cells for proper absorption of the medicinal components.
4. Vitamin For Vitiligo Medicine
Vitamin B12 and folic acid can work together to reduce white spots in the skin. It was tested on 100 vitiligo patients through research, proving that it is beneficial for treating white patches in the skin. Vitamin B12 is found to mask the changes in the skin and arrest its progression. Vitiligo may arise due to some neural problems; Vitamin B12 also resists any irreversible changes in the spinal and peripheral nerves. Remember to take vitamin B12 along with folic acid. Folic acid aids in the proper functioning of B12. Take fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid. For details, click the link: You Are Calling Death! If There Is a Deficiency of Vitamin B12.
5. Use Of Red Clay
Material Required
· Two tablespoons red clay
· One tablespoon ginger extract
How to use
· Mix ginger extract and red clay to making a paste and apply the paste on the affected skin.
· Leave the paste on the affected skin for 10 minutes.
· After this, you wash the skin with water.
How often do
· Use once a day.
How beneficial
Red clay is one of the most effective treatments of vitiligo. Copper is an important mineral for the synthesis of melanin pigment and red clay is rich in copper content. The ginger juice helps in enhancing blood supply in the white patches.
6. Papaya For Vitiligo Treatment
Material Required
· Some portion of freshly cut papaya
How to use
· Rub the papaya pieces directly on the patches of skin affected by vitiligo.
· Leave it for 10-12 minutes.
· Then wash the skin with cold water when it dries up.
· Drink papaya juice.
How often apply
· Use once a day.
How beneficial
Papaya can be used to treat white spots. According to scientific research, papaya has been proven effective natural remedy against vitiligo. Applying and consuming papaya juice regularly to replenish the body of melanin cells lost due to Vitiligo.
7. Drink Water From A Copper Vessel
Material required
· Water
· Copper glass
How to use
· Fill water in a copper vessel at a normal temperature and keep it overnight.
· Drink this water the next morning.
How often do
· Repeat this remedy daily.
How beneficial
Many recent studies have shown that copper plays a vital role in pigmentation. The melanin pigment has an affinity to micro minerals like copper. Drinking water stored in the copper containers will help to increase melanin in your body and reduce whitish patches caused by vitiligo. Drink water from a copper vessel increasing the amount of melanin (natural pigment) in the skin, which may help to overcome the problem of vitiligo.
8. Radish Seeds for Vitiligo Treatment
Material required
· Radish seeds
· Red vinegar
How to use
· Make powder of radish seeds, mix with vinegar and make a paste.
· Then apply the paste on the affected skin.
· Leave it for 15 minutes and then wash it with water.
How often apply
· Use 1 time per day.
How beneficial
Radish seeds can be helpful in treating white spots. According to scientific research, the application of radish seed paste mixed with vinegar can be applied to the skin to get rid of white spots.
9. Ginger For Vitiligo Treatment
Material required
· Ginger extract (as required)
How to use
· Apply ginger extract to the affected area and leave it for 20 minutes.
· Then wash with water.
How often apply
· You can apply this remedy once or twice daily.
How beneficial
Ginger juice can be beneficial in treating vitiligo. Ginger is herbal medicine, whose extract can relieve white spots.
10. Basil Leaf For Vitiligo Treatment
Material required
· Some fresh basil leaves
· 1 teaspoon lemon juice
How to apply
· Crush the leaves and add lemon juice.
· Apply it on the de-pigmented area of the skin.
· Wash it after about 10 minutes.
How often to apply
· Apply once a day
How beneficial
Basil can also be used to relieve whiten patches in the skin. Basil leaf is an effective medicine, which is also rich in antioxidants with anti-aging, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties are basil is important for dealing with vitiligo. A mixture of basil leaves and lemon juice is stimulating the production of melanin on your skin.
11. Walnuts For Vitiligo Treatment
Material required
· Walnuts
How to use
· Eating at least five walnuts each day for vitiligo
· For even better results ground few walnuts into powder
· Add water to make a paste.
· Apply the paste to the affected areas of the skin for 15-20 minutes an everyday morning.
How often to apply
· Apply this face pack at least 3-4 times every day for 2 months or more to shorten white patches upon the skin.
How beneficial
Walnuts are those dry fruits that have countless health benefits, treating Vitiligo is one of them. Walnuts help in the reduction of the white patches caused by vitiligo.
Diet for Vitiligo
Food is also a major contributor to the problem of vitiligo. Although no officially prescribed “vitiligo diet,” eating healthy food rich in nutrients is always preferred. Drink plenty of water, as staying hydrated is always good for your skin.
Since vitiligo is caused by immunity disorder and auto-immunity, taking immunity-boosting foods containing phytochemicals, beta-carotene, and antioxidants are essential. Some most useful foods for people with vitiligo are given below.
- Root vegetables, especially beets, carrots, and radishes
- Figs and dates
- Juice of beetroot or intake of beetroot directly
- Carrot juice or straight carrot intake
- Bitter gourd
- Bananas
- Apples
- Leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, or romaine lettuce
- Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans
- Onion
- Black pepper
Diet Restrictionsfor Vitiligo
There is some evidence that shows certain foods may worsen the condition of vitiligo, some people with vitiligo experience aggravation in the condition when they eat certain foods, especially that food that contain the depigmenting agent’s hydroquinones. Everybody’s body is different and may respond differently to these foods.
Here are some foods that can cause problem in people with vitiligo:
- Alcohol
- Gooseberries
- Grapes
- Pickles
- Pomegranate
- Blueberries
- Citrus
- Coffee
- Curds
- Fish
- Fruit juice
- Pears
- Red meats
- Tomatoes
- Wheat products
Additional Prevention Tips for Vitiligo
You can follow the following tips to avoid skin-whitening scars.
Eat a balanced diet. Place fruits and green vegetables in the daily diet.
Take full care of the skin; choose soap and other cosmetics according to the skin.
Use sunscreen before venturing out in strong sunlight.
Avoid foods such as eggs, fish, and brinjal for whitening spots.
By now, you must have learned how to treat white spots or vitiligo at home. Friends, if you notice symptoms of vitiligo described in the article, then be fully alert and start following the home remedies mentioned.
The sooner you treat vitiligo, the sooner the white spots will disappear from the skin. If even after these home remedies the condition of vitiligo does not improve, then talk directly to your dermatologist. Hope our information will be helpful for you. If you have any questions or suggestions related to white spots, you can join us through the comments box below.
