Homeopathic Treatment for Vitiligo

It was in the 19th century that homoeopathic treatment gained popularity as an alternative system of medicine. Homoeopathic treatment can be dated back to 1796. It was a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann, who founded homoeopathy as an alternative system of cure. “Like cures like” is the doctrine that all homoeopaths believe and practice globally. Homoeopaths think that substances that cause symptoms of diseases in a healthy person can, in turn, become a remedy to treat similar symptoms in sick people. The effectiveness of homoeopathic treatment is disputable and debatable. Yet, there is a large section of the society that opt for homoeopathic treatment.

Can Homeopathy Treat Vitiligo?

Homeopathic treatment for vitiligo is holistic and varies from one individual to another. It can be beneficial to regulate diseases like vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a skin disease characterised by patches of the skin losing their colour. Gradually the discoloured skin patches increase. It is a long-term skin condition that can affect any body part, even hair and the oral cavity. It is not a life-threatening or contagious disease but, it may result in psychological stress. People of all skin types can get affected by this disease. The discoloured patches are more vividly visible on people with a darker complexion. It may sometimes become a social stigma and lead to emotional stress.

Vitiligo mainly occurs when melanin-producing cell stops functioning. The colour in our skin is because of the presence of melanin. Vitiligo also has autoimmune associations.

Symptoms and Signs of Vitiligo

The most common signs or symptoms of vitiligo is as follows:

1. The appearance of small patches of skin due to depigmentation.
2. The colour of the skin starts turning pale and white.
3. Itching is a sign of a new patch appearing on the skin.
4. The patches change in size and shape
5. The pattern can be segmental or non-segmental.
6. Skin lesions may occur. These are prominently visible on wrists, hands and face.
7. Particularly, occur around body orifices like nostrils, mouth, naval and genitalia.
8. Hair, eyebrows, eyelashes and other body hair may start turning white.

Causes of Vitiligo

The specific cause of this skin disorder is not yet known. Some probable causes are in this article.

• Changes in the Immune System: Studies show that changes in the immune system can cause vitiligo. When the immune system destroys melanocytes, the production of melanin causes vitiligo. A genome-based study found about 36 susceptible loci for generalised vitiligo.
• Autoimmune Conditions – Vitiligo is associated with autoimmune diseases. These diseases include scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, psoriasis, Addison’s disease, celiac disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus etc. Anyone having these diseases may be at higher risk of being diagnosed with vitiligo.
• Environmental Factors– Vitiligo can be because of certain environmental factors like exposure to ultraviolet rays, skin trauma, sunburn, exposure to harmful substances, chemicals or a stressful environment.
• Stress- The modern-day cause behind all sorts of medical issues is stress. Severe emotional or physical stress can trigger hormonal changes that may result in skin depigmentation. Evidence gathered from research and case studies shows that life stressors and trauma are associated with autoimmune conditions that can cause vitiligo.
• Genetic Predisposition- Variations in more than thirty genes have been connected, to increased susceptibility to developing vitiligo. Genes like NLRP1, PTPN2 or certain variations in both types of genes can be the cause behind developing vitiligo. It also increases the risk of individuals having autoimmune diseases.
• Heredity- An individual’s family history or heredity may be the cause behind getting vitiligo. Patients with a family history of having Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, alopecia, under-functioning thyroid or any other autoimmune disease increases the risk of having vitiligo. Therefore, vitiligo is a multifactorial disease with probable causes whatsoever.

Homeopathic treatment for vitiligo and Its Effectiveness

Vitiligo cases that are not extensive can be treated well with homoeopathic medicines and ointments. Homoeopathy helps to reduce the damage caused to melanin-producing cells. It can give relief from the itchiness a patient may experience. It helps to stimulate the skin pigments and rejuvenate its health.

Vitiligo requires long-term treatment. According to experienced practitioners, most patients start responding to treatment within 4 to 8 weeks. Improvement can be noticed within 4 to 6 months. The overall duration may vary from 8 months to two or more years. There are environmental, social, psychological and medical factors taken into consideration for the holistic treatment of vitiligo.

Duration of Treatment

It isn’t easy to estimate the exact duration of treatment. There’s no absolute solution to vitiligo. It can only be regulated and prevented. Therefore, it is difficult to specify or predict the duration of this skin disease. Even how fast it shall spread differs from person to person. In some patients, the spread of vitiligo is rapid, covering multiple spots or the entire body within six months or a year. The sooner it is treated, the better it can be regulated and prevented from spreading. In most cases, it stops abruptly and remains stable and unchanged once it stops.

Even prominent public figures, celebrities and artists have been victims of this skin disease like the renowned pop singer and dancer Michael Jackson, actor David Dastmalchian, actress Holly Marie Combs and former Prime Minister of France, Edouard Philippe.

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Medicinal Products & Drugs

Homoeopathic medicines or products are produced from plant, animal, mineral and synthetic substances. Dilution is a method used for preparing homoeopathic solutions. Homoeopathic pills are made of inert substances like sugars, especially lactose. Some of the effective homoeopathic medicines prescribed for treating the symptoms of vitiligo are as follows:

1. Calcarea Carb- This is a top grade medicine for treating milky white spots on the skin. Those experiencing fatigue, bone weakness and other associated vitiligo symptoms can use Calcarea carb.
2. Silicea 30- This medicine consists of metal Silica sand. It is an effective and commonly prescribed homoeopathic remedy for vitiligo patients whose skins are sensitive to light and appeal pale and waxy. Even those with sensitive skin to the cold wind, winter breeze or air conditioners can use this medicine. Vitiligo patients whose palms and soles sweat or have a lean body structure can benefit from this medicine.
3. Arsenic Sulfuratum Flavum- Patients suffering from vitiligo or chemical leucoderma can benefit from this medicine. It helps to rejuvenate pale or white blotches of discoloured skin patches. It can also treat eczematous lesions, intense itching and pus discharge.
4. Nitric Acid 30- This is a homoeopathic remedy for treating mucosal vitiligo. White patches in the mouth, nostrils, eyes or genitalia can be treated with this medicine.
5. Carcinosin- It is a constitutional drug used to treat a broad spectrum of medical conditions. It is a common homoeopathic remedy. It helps to treat vitiligo, lichen planus, urticaria, hair loss, asthma etc.
6. Hydrocotyle Asiatica- It is a homoeopathic remedy prepared from the extract of a plant called Indian Pennywort. After undergoing the preparation process of Potentisation, the curative powers of the medicine comes forth. It is one of the best remedies for stimulating pigmentation of skin in vitiligo patients. It has also been effective in treating skin diseases and disorders like lupus, leprosy, psoriasis, acne etc.

The point to note is, there are over 30 homoeopathic medicines for vitiligo. The medicines prescribed are based on individual symptoms, family history, medical issues, age and other environmental, psychological and physical factors. It is advisable to consult homoeopathic practitioners to get proper treatment and medicine. It is best to avoid self-medication. So, consult your nearby homoeopath to get the correct treatment for your skin condition!