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Courtesy : Subhadra Nambudiri Foundation
LEUCODERMA / VITILIGO - HOMOEOPATHY : by Dr.
A. K. Gupta
BEFORE TREATMENT |
AFTER TREATMENT |
Skin is made up of many layers. Skin is the largest organ of
the body. It protects, maintains the temperature balance , releases out the
toxins out of the body in the form of sweat and maintains the equilibrium . It
reflects the internal and general health of the person. Unhealthy ,Patchy, Dry,
Discolored and Pigmented skin depicts indication for certain medical diseases.
Though People crave for fair skin
What is Leucoderma or Vitiligo ?
Leucoderma means Leuco - White and Derma - Skin also known as Vitiligo in
medical terminology.
It is skin disorder where the skin loses its normal colour. Also known as
Phulveri in laymen's language. As such it is hardly a disease of medical
significance but more of a social stigma attached to it
because of cosmetic reasons. As patient usually do not
have any complaints like pain or itching etc. with the
less of Melanin formation there is loss of pigment on the
skin.
What are the Causes?
Though the exact cause of Leucoderma is not known to the medical world still
Stress, and General Low Immunity level and Hormonal connection are considered
certain precipitating factors for this ailment. Other precipitating factors have
been identified as due to pressure of tight clothes or certain occupational
hazards such as wearing certain rubber hand gloves Use of Bindi etc. The
Occurance of leucoderma about 42 %, is Stress related , 28% Heriditory and 30%.
Is Worms infested
How does it present clinically ?
Leucoderma patch may start as a small white colored almost milky patch which
keeps on increasing in varying size and shapes. Patches are usually uniform in
colour with well demarcated edges because of peripheral hyperchromia. It may
occur anywhere on the body or all over the body but still the commonest sites
are around lips, on cheeks, bilaterally distributed on legs, hands, fingers,
chest or back around the eyes and even on the head. A single white strand of
hair could be the first sign of vitiligo on the scalp. Few patients have these
patches around or over the joints like elbow, knee etc. Most of the times people
get scared of any white patch on the body and fear it to be leucoderma, but any
and every white patch is not of leucoderma they can be because of Liver
disorders, Worms ,Taenia infection, Calcium deficiency Injury or burns spots or
even Leprosy. As such patient of leucoderma does not have any problem or
symptoms like Itching, Pain, Discharge etc. whatsoever but still the patient
seek treatment for cosmetic reasons.
Though the aetilogy of vitiligo is obscure, various hypothesis
are suggestive of its genesis .Among these the important ones are:-
1) Immune Hypothesis - Melanocyte destruction and dysfunction
or both may result into Hypopigmentation of vitiligo.
2) Neural Hypothesis - Neurochemical inhibitors are released at nerve endings
that destroy the melanocytes or inhibit their functioning.
3) Melanocyte Self-Destruction Hypothesis - Proposes that an intermediate
inmelanin synthesis causes melenocyte destruction.
4) Dietary deficiency of Proeins and Cupro minerals is a major factorfor causing
vitiligo. Serum skin and cerebro-spinal fluid copper levels are low in theses
cases.
5) A gastro-intestinal disorder like Chronic amoeboisis,chronic Dyspepsia and
Intestinal Worms may be additional factors.
6) Use of Broad spectrum Antibiotics ,especially Chlormphenicol and
Streptomycinleads to appearanceof vitiligo.
7) Trauma or Local irritation caused by wearing the sari or Trousers too tightly
do produce vitiligo in individuals predisposed to it.
8) Acute Stress may be followed by fast spreading typeof vitiligo proving the
theory of Troponeurosis. Emotional crisis may be an additional factor.
9) An Endocrinal disorder may be operative,Diabetes, Pernicious anaemia,
Thyrotoxicosis, Myxoedema, and Addison'sdisease may be associated with vitiligo.
10) Composite Hypothesis - None of the theories alone is entirely satisfactory.
Actual mechanism of inhibition or destruction of melancytes is much more complex
than any of these mechanisms suggested.
Precipitating Factors:-
a) Emotional Crisis - Death in family, Loss of job , Sudden
shock etc.
b) Gastro intestinal tract disorders like Worms, Jaundice, amoeboisis etc.
c) Prolonged use of Drugs ,antibiotics,Oral anovulating agents etc.
d) Local causes like trauma,burns exposureto chemicals etc.
Pathologically :- A defect in enzyme Tyrosinase is held responsible for vitiligo.
Acording to some Dermatologists, it is a Trophoneurosis and Melatonin, a
substance secreted at nerve endings inhibits Tyrisinase, thus interfering in
pigment formation.
Clinical Presentation of Vitiligo
Localised Type:-
a) Focal - One or more maculesin two single areas but not
segmented.
b) Segmental - One or more macules in a dermatomal pattern.
c) Mucosal - Involvement of mucous membrane alone.
Generalised Type :-
d) Acrofacial - Involvement of face and distal extremities.
e) Vulgaris - Scattered macules in symmetrical or asymmetrical distribution.
Universalis- Total or nearly whole body involvement.
Is there any prevention for vitiligo ?
There are certain precautions which can dealy or stop the
onset of the disease.
1. Maintain good general health and immunity.
2. It is a non communicable disease.
3. Any patch should be thoroughly examined first.
4. Application of any unconfirmed tropical medication on skin should be avoided.
5. Use of synthetic clothes should be restricted.
6. Avoid excess intake of Sour things.
7. Avoid Steroids.
It is a myth that leucoderma occurs by drinking milk over the
fish. There is no relevance in avoiding anything to eat or drink which is white
in colour as assumed by some people similarly in cases of Jaundice for Yellow
coloured things.
What is the Treatment for Vitiligo ?
Allopathy - Commonest drug used is Psoralen , Melanocyl etc to
be use locally followed by sun exposure. In few cases oral Antioxidants are also
being used. The latest application of Placentex is also used.UltraViolet Rays
exposure or PUVA.
Ayurveda- Local application of Babchi Oil over the depigmented areas, Use of
Coper utensils.
Others- Applying Coloured Dyes, Silver Nitrate etc . Latest being permanent
Colouring.
Surgical measures- Grafting etc.
Homoeopathy- Though Vitiligo has always puzzled physicians of all systems of
medicine. However, Homoeopathy system offers reasonably positive treatment if
not cure in all the cases. Since it offers a comprehensive treatment as it goes
to the root of the problem by helping build up immunity and eventually restores
the pigmented patches back to the normal skin colour. I have observed in my
clinic that there are some definite connection in the patients who are being
treated for Hypothyroidism then getting Hyperthyroidism show patches of
leucoderma as drugs induced leucoderma.
What is the Homoeopathic approach ?
As a rule, homoeopathy never looks at Vitiligo as a local disease. Vitiligo has
been considered as a local expression of a system disturbance hence a
constitutional remedy has to be evolved, which calls for individual case study
in every case of vitiligo. There is no single specific remedy for all the cases
of vitiligo. The exact treatment is determined only on in-depth evaluation of
individual case.
Miasmatically
Syphlytic.( destruction of melanocytes) predominance
Psoric - Though in Aphorism 195, Dr.Hahnemann states that "In chronic local
maladies that are not obviously veneral, the internal antipsoric treatment alone
requisite' suggests that it is Psoric in nature.
Sycotic- As sycosis is the miasm which disturbs the pigment metabolism and
produces hyperpigmentation and depigmentation in patches or diffuse in different
parts.
Is Vitiligo curable with homoeopathy ?
The answers is Yes and No both as seen in my clinical study at our center, it
can be said that it depends on the following criteria :
- Duration of vitiligo
- Extent of spread
Duration of vitiligo: Those cases of recent origin respond much better than ones
which are more than 10 years old duration. Children and young people have shown
better results. Extent of spread: Single or some spots ( 2 to 9) respond better
than those which are very large ( more than 5 inches in size). Those individuals
having a only a single spot have excellent cure rate. The cases with generalised
spread and affection of finger- tips, toes, corners of the mouth and eyes have
shown partial results .
What is the duration of treatment ?
Vitiligo being a chronic and long-standing disorder, it takes time to show
results. Larger and older spots take longer time. Exact time can not be
predicted. However, improvement begins within 2 to 3 months in most cases. The
cases which are to improve show the difference and the cases which do not show
any response in this period seldom show improvement later on .
Can homoeopathy treatment be taken with other therapy ?
Yes , homoeopathic treatment can be taken simultaneously with other
therapies e.g intake of Antioxidants PUVA exposure or the application of
Placentex etc. these can enhance the progress of treatment.
Conclusion :
In nut shell Skin cell contains Melanin, a dark pigment which
gives the Colour to the Skin and protects it from the strong rays of the Sun
which are particularly harmful. If the Melanin is destroyed at certain part of
the body or not produced then the skin looses its colour and turns leave white
spots known as Leucoderma or Phulveri in laymen's language. It is also true that
all white spots are not of leucoderma. Children born with congenital absence of
Melanin have complete white skin of the whole body called Albinism which is a
congenital and and incurable condition. Vitiligo still has better response to
homoeopathic treatment.
By:-
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Prof. Dr.A.K.GUPTA
DHMS(Dli),MIHL(Geneva),MGN(Med.)PH,PG(London)
Sr. HOMOEOPATHIC CONSULTANT
Founder Director-
A.K.Gs OVIHAMS
A.K.Gs Om Vidya Institute Of Homoeopathy and Allied Medical Sciences(Regd.)
Recipient- Internaional Dr. Hahnemann Award of the Millennium; Gold Medalist,
Lord Dhanwantri Award, Dr.Yudhvir Singh Award, Life Achievement Award
Member- Homoeopathic Advisory Committee Govt. of NCT Delhi.
Author- The Problem Child and Homoeopathy
J – 158 , Rajouri Garden , New Delhi – 110027, INDIA, Ph. – 25101989, 25430368
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