Overview

Vitiligo is a long-term (chronic) medical disorder in which parts of the skin lose color. Vitiligo patches appear when melanocytes within the skin are destroyed—this manifests as pale white patches on the skin. If left untreated, vitiligo can become widespread and affect many different skin parts. On rare occasions, some patches could disappear or shrink. Vitiligo is not harmful, nor does it produce any symptoms like discomfort or itching, but the way the skin looks can make sufferers feel anxious and upset.

Causes

Melanin is a pigment that is essential to form the skin tone. Melanocytes are the cells responsible for producing melanin. Melanin gives skin its color and protects it from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Melanocytes are destroyed in vitiligo patients, resulting in white patches of skin. Although the exact etiology of vitiligo remains unknown, mounting evidence points to the condition being an autoimmune disorder, whereby the immune system of the body misidentifies and damages certain particular cells. Vitiligo can develop at any age. The disease runs in some families at a higher rate. 

There are more autoimmune disorders linked to vitiligo.

• Addison's disease, a condition brought on by insufficient hormone production by the adrenal glands 

• Thyroid conditions 

• Reduced red blood cell count due to improper absorption of vitamin B12 by the intestines is known as pernicious anemia. 

• Diabetes type 1

Symptoms

The emergence of light or "depigmented" patches on the skin is the most telling indicator that someone may have vitiligo. Although these patches can occur anywhere on the body, they often do so on the face, arms, feet, and hands—areas frequently exposed to the sun. Additionally, white patches frequently develop under the armpits, around the belly button, and in the groin. Other vitiligo symptoms may include 

• Premature greying of hair Brows or eyelashes going white and losing color 

• Alteration in the color of the retina

• Loss of color in the mouth and nose Inflammation of the eyes or ears, that can cause visual issues and hearing loss.

Ayurvedic Treatments

Vamanam  Virechanam   Kashya vasti  Jaluka vacharnam   Lepanam   Swedanam   Shirodhara  Shiroabhyangam   Shiro picchu

Naturopathy Treatments

Athapa snanam   Mud Therapy   Steam bath   Hip bath   Enema  Immersion bath   Acupuncture  Cupping Therapy