Is vitiligo a serious disease?
Skin-related issues are common health problems, accounting for a large portion of the disease burden around the world. Even after the disease has resolved, skin disorders can cause significant long-term changes that impact an individual’s quality of life, including mental and physical health and burden national healthcare systems as well as families worldwide.
Vitiligo refers to a skin disorder that occurs when the pigment-producing cells, known as “melanocytes,” are impacted and damaged by the immune system, resulting in the loss of pigmentation in certain areas of the skin. This skin-related ailment is estimated to affect 1% of individuals globally.
Every disease, including vitiligo, has an influence on patients and society as a whole due to a variety of factors, including its prevalence, morbidity, and mortality, effects on patients’ quality of life, accessible treatments, and related costs. Let’s understand every aspect of this disease in a detailed and comprehensive manner so as to arrive at a definitive conclusion regarding its treatment.
How is vitiligo confirmed?
Depigmentation, or the loss of natural colour or pigment, is the primary sign of vitiligo. The depigmented patches may appear anywhere on your body. Other symptoms include
- In areas where the skin is losing colour, hair may become white
- Pigment loss in the tissues lining the inner parts of the nose and mouth
- Milky-white patches of skin can appear on areas like hands, feet, arms, and face
Causes of Vitiligo
Immune System: Vitiligo is considered to be an autoimmune disorder. The body’s tissues and cells are targeted by the hyperactive immune system. Melanocytes are destroyed under the direction of certain white blood cells.
Genetic: Numerous studies indicate that vitiligo may be influenced by genetics and family history. It is inherited in around one-third of the cases.
Other: Situations like sunburns, emotional issues, or chemical exposure may sometimes trigger or worsen vitiligo. Half of the patients experience vitiligo before turning 20.
Is vitiligo contagious disease or not?
A lack of awareness and prevalent misconceptions are the main causes of unwarranted fear around the illness. There is a false belief that physical contact, like touching, can spread the illness. However, vitiligo is non-contagious and does not spread by touching. Experts and medical professionals have advocated for raising awareness about the illness and eliminating the stigma attached to it. June 25 has been declared as World Vitiligo Day in an effort to combat stigma and increase awareness.
Vitiligo Prevention Tips
Both high- and low-income countries have high rates of skin-related issues, indicating that prevention of skin diseases should be prioritised. Vitiligo prevention and management can be done through these measures
- Taking up a healthier lifestyle
- Keeping your skin safe from sunburn
- Consume a healthy, well-balanced diet
- Ensuring emotional and mental well-being
- Prevent burns, scratches, and cuts on the skin
Which treatment is best for vitiligo?
The earlier vitiligo treatment begins, the more effective it usually is in halting the condition’s progress and reversing its effects, which may make skin tone look evenly toned.
Allopathy
The majority of patients rely upon traditional allopathic medications to treat vitiligo.
Medication may come in handy when your body is either unable to fight off illnesses on its own or is unable to get rid of them. However, the body becomes increasingly dependent on allopathic drugs over time when they are used for a long term.
Allopathic vitiligo treatments make use of chemicals that damage the patient’s skin, making the condition worse rather than improving it. The primary reasons why an average individual is turning to alternative treatments are the inability of modern medicines to provide a holistic cure and the side effects that are associated with them. So, is there a natural treatment for vitiligo?
Ayurveda
Ayur (life) and Veda (science or knowledge) are the Sanskrit terms from where the name ayurveda originates. Ayurvedic treatment for vitiligo considers both internal and external factors that may disturb the body’s natural equilibrium in an effort to restore health and wellness. An internal purification process is the first step for vitiligo treatment in ayurveda. A particular diet and herbal treatments follow it subsequently. The main principles of ayurveda medicine are the ideas of doshas, universal interconnectedness, and the body’s constitution (Prakriti).
However, adverse side effects are a possibility with ayurveda treatments, just like with any other medical procedure. Ayurvedic medicine for vitiligo may cause nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, pain in the abdomen, etc.
Naturopathy
Naturopathic treatment aims to support the body’s inherent ability to heal itself by using natural medications. It comprises a variety of techniques, such as massage, acupuncture, exercise, herbal remedies, and nutritional guidance. However, these are not devoid of risk factors and various problems. One of the methods used for treating vitiligo is a detox diet that includes restricting specific food items. In the long term, there is a possibility that the body won’t get an adequate amount of vital nutrients due to it. The lack of scientific data to support and confirm the efficacy of naturopathy treatment has resulted in its limited acceptability and acknowledgement.
So, what is the best treatment for vitiligo? The answer is Homeopathy!
Homeopathic treatment for vitiligo
Homeopathy is one of the most trustworthy treatment options for vitiligo. Homeopathy helps to stimulate the body’s natural defence mechanisms with its tailored medications. Homeopathy uses very diluted medicines, often in the form of pills or liquids, to treat a variety of ailments, including vitiligo. Homeopathic medicine for vitiligo is prescribed after thoroughly analysing the patient’s case history. All the conditions of an illness—mental, emotional, and physical are factored into while developing a vitiligo homeopathic treatment plan.
The fact that homeopathy is the third most preferred form of treatment in India speaks volumes about how well-accepted it is as a means of treatment for major ailments within the country. Since homeopathy has blended effortlessly with the history and customs of the country, it plays a vital role in delivering healthcare to a significant number of people.
Why Bharat Homeopathy?
Bharat Homeopathy adheres to every single procedural precaution while preparing tailored medicines for patients. We aim to provide the best care possible through an in-depth analysis of each patient’s disease symptoms and related issues. Proper planning and extensive research are done by our team led by Dr Mahima and Dr Kanchan while creating a nutrition plan for each patient. We have shown our credibility by upholding stringent regulations for patient data protection. We have established ourselves as a reliable name in the healthcare industry thanks to our side-effect-free results.
