Why Is It Important To Treat Vitiligo?

Many physicians, and even some dermatologists, fail to recognize the profound social and psychological impact vitiligo may have on its victims. Vitiligo is painless and non-pruritic and, unlike psoriasis, it is not associated with shedding of skin scales. But the disfigurement of vitiligo, accentuated among persons with brown or black skin, can be devastating.

The recent media publicity about Michael Jackson's battle with vitiligo has helped raise public awareness of the disease. While vitiligo is worldwide and affects all races equally, it is a particularly troubling social problem for persons whose normal skin color is brown or black. The contrast between brown skin and white vitiligo spots can create a grotesque "harlequin" appearance. The same kind of disfigurement can become a problem for vitiligo victims with normally fair skin who tan deeply during the summer months or, among those who live in sunny climates, throughout the year.
In India, vitiligo, or "leukoderma" as it is called there, is regarded as "white leprosy." The late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru ranked vitiligo as one of three major medical problems in India, alongside malaria and leprosy. A woman in India cannot marry if she has even one spot of vitiligo, and if a woman develops vitiligo after marriage it is considered grounds for divorce.

It is no wonder vitiligo patients can turn aggressive, feel a sense of shame, or become withdrawn and resentful. For many, vitiligo is not just a cosmetic problem-it is a major social dysfunction that seriously curtails their ability to lead a normal work, social or married life. Reversal of the white spots and restoration of normal skin color is therefore the primary hope for all these disfigured vitiligo patients.

How to Diagnosis Vitiligo

Vitiligo can usually be diagnosed by your GP, based on a skin examination. Further tests are rarely needed.
Your GP will need to see all your patches to estimate how much of your body area is affected. They will also ask how long you have had the patches.
Your GP may ask whether:
there is a history of vitiligo in your family
there is a history of other autoimmune conditions in your family
you have injured the affected area of skin – for example, you have had sunburn or a severe rash there
you tan easily in the sun, or whether you burn
any areas have got better without treatment, or whether they are getting worse
you have tried any treatments already
Your GP may also ask about the impact that vitiligo has on your life. For example:
how much it affects your confidence and self-esteem

whether it affects your job

Is Leucoderma/Vitiligo Curable?

Leukoderma, technically known as vitiligo, is a disease in which parts of the skin become pale or white in color due to the gradual loss of the natural coloring pigment, melanin. These patches look especially prominent in someone whose complexion is naturally dark. The problem usually begins with the appearance of a few small pale spots, mostly on the neck, hands, back or wrist, which become larger white patches on the skin in other parts of the body as well with the passage of time. Leukoderma is not caused by infection through germs, nor is it spread by touch. The exact cause is unknown but it seems to be triggered by stress and anxiety, prolonged or severe gastric ailments, diseases of the alimentary canal like jaundice, worms or other parasitic infections, typhoid, and problems relating to perspiration and burn injuries. Leukoderma is also thought to be genetic in nature.

There are several easy home remedies for leukoderma, and you can try them; but you should note that there is no proven cure for the condition, and these remedies may not have much effect. Grind 25gms of radish seeds into a fine powder and mix it with two teaspoons of vinegar to make a paste. Apply this paste on the white patches and wash it off after it dries. Another remedy is to soak the seeds of psoralea (babchi) in ginger juice for a couple of days. Make sure that the juice is replaced every day. Then remove the husk from the seeds by rubbing them with your fingers and let them dry in open air but away from direct sunlight. After this, grind the seeds into a powder and consume a gram of this powder added to a cup of fresh milk every day. Follow this procedure for forty days. You could also directly apply this powder on the affected areas. Alternatively, soak equal portions of babchi seeds and tamarind seeds in water for four days. Then shell the seeds and dry them in shade. Grind the seeds into a powder and apply this locally. If the skin itches, becomes inflamed or oozes on application then discontinue the use of this powder immediately. Eating goosefoot twice every day is also known to cure leukoderma. Applying the juice of goose foot leaves on the skin also helps. Mix 100gms of cucumber juice with an equal quantity of alfalfa juice and drink this mixture every morning and evening for treating leukoderma. Another popular and effective way to treat leukoderma is to drink water kept in overnight in a copper vessel on an empty stomach every morning.