VITILIGO ( SAFED DAAG) & HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT

  VITILIGO

Comman name-SAFED DAAG, PHULERI

PHULERI/ SAFED DAAG/ VlTILIGO  is a chronic acquired autoimmune depigmentary skin disorder that cause loss of pigmentation resulting in irregular pale patches in skin. The extent and rate of color loss from vitiligo is unpredictable. It can affect the skin on any part of body. It may also affect hair and the inside of the mouth.

Normally, the color of hair and skin is determined by melanin.

VITILIGO  OCCUR WHEN THE MELONOCYTES CELL WHICH PRODUCE MELANIN( RESPONSIBLE FOR SKIN PIGMENTA­TION) DIE OR UNABLE TO FUNCTION.

Vitiligo is the only skin  disease Which does not itch, pain, or give any sort of physical discomfort.

The condition is not life-threatening or contagious. It can be stressful or make  feel bad about yourself.

ETIOLOGY

Exact etiology is not known,and May vary from one pattern of diseases to another:

GENETIC:-

·         20-30% of patients give a positive family history.

·         Inheritance may be polygenic

          AUTOIMMUNE HYPOTHESIS:-

·         Vitiligo is frequently associated with autoimmune disorder like alopecia areata and thyroid disorder.

·         Antibodies to melanocytes have been also demonstrated.

·         Histopathology of early lesion demonstrates presence of lymphocytes in the lesions.

        

          NEUROGENIC HYPOTHESIS:-

·         Dermatomal  distribution of segmental vitiligo suggest that a toxins, which destroy melanocytes , is released at the nerve endings.

AT THE TIME LESIONS DEVELOP ALONG THE DISTRIBUTION OF PERIPHERAL NERVE CALLED ”ZOSTERIFORM VITILIGO”.

SIGN & SYMPTOMS

The main sign of vitiligo is patchy loss of skin color. Usually, the discoloration first shows on sun-exposed areas, such as the hands, feet, arms, face and lips.

Vitiligo signs include:

·         Patchy loss of skin color

·         Premature whitening or graying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard

·         Loss of color in the tissues that line the inside of your mouth and nose (mucous membranes)

·         Loss of or change in color of the inner layer of the eyeball (retina)

Vitiligo is more noticeable  in darker skinned people because of the contrast of white patches Against dark skin.

CAUSE, INCIDENCE, AND RISK FACTOR

Vitiligo appear to occur When immune cells destroy the cell that produce  brown  pigment, this destruction is thought to be due to autoimmune problem, but the cause is unknown.

AGE FACTOR

Vitiligo  may apper any age.

ASSOCIATED WITH OTHER AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER

CUTANEOUS DISORDER

·         Alopecia areata

·         Halo nevus

·         Atopic dermatitis

·         Malignant melanoma

·         Etc

ENDOCRINE DISORDER

• Diabetes mellitus
• Prenicious anemia
• Adision’s diseases
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Etc.

MOST COMMON SITE OF ONSET OF VITILIGO LESION

• LOWER LIMBS (42.5%),
• FOLLOWED BY FACE (27.5%),
• UPPER LIMBS (18.6%),
• FINGER TIPS (7.5%),
• TRUNK (8.6%),
• SCALP (2.5%),
• GENITAL MUCOSA (2.5%) IN THE DESCENDING ORDER OF FREQUENCY
• SITE OF SCRATCHING

TYPES OF VITILIGO (DEPENDING UPON DISCOLOURD PATCHES)

 GENERALIZED VITILIGO

 With this most common type, called generalized vitiligo, the discolored patches often progress similarly on corresponding body parts (symmetrically).

TYPES -

ACROFACIAL VITILIGO-IN this types lesions are seen periorificially (around eyes and on lips) and acral parts(periungual areas, palm and soles).

LIP TIP VITILIGO- When lips , tips of penis and the vulva and nipples are involved.

SEGMENTAL VITILIGO

Only one side affect ,or( one part of body )This type, called segmental vitiligo, tends to occur at a younger age, progress for a year or two, then stop.
        LOCALIZED(FOCAL VITILIGO)

When one or only few areas affected ,This type is called localized (focal) vitiligo.
UNIVERSALIS VITILIGO

Widespred vitiligo with only few areas of normal pigmentation, it is often associated with multiple endocrinopathies.

VITILIGO VULGARIS

Commonest types of vitiligo,occur after second decade of life . may be slowly or rapidly progressive.

CLINICAL CLASSIFICATION

V1 STAGE-

Active progressive stage

Lesion increases in size

Border increases in size

V2 STAGE-

Quiescent stage

No new lesion developing

Lesions in the stationary in size

Border hyper –pigmented an well defined

V3 STAGE-

Repigmentary stage

Lesions decreases in size

No new lesion developing

Border defined and sign of spontaneous repignentation.

PREVENTION

Lifestyle related –

·         Tight fittings, which give marks on the skin, like elastic must be avoided which disturbs the skin blood circulation.

·         Scratching, itching must be avoided.

·         Any injury will give rise to new patch.

·         Plastic and rubber wear should be avoided.

·         Plastic Ornaments, Bindi or any Stickers on the skin should be avoided.

Diet related-

Vitiligo   diet in order to boost the immune system, as vitiligo is an autoimmune disease and a strong immune system can prevent the spread of the disease.

Diet restriction has much important role in Vitiligo & Leucoderma.

·         Curd, Tamarind, Raw Tomato, Raw Onion, Raw garlic, Brinjal, Papaya, Green chili, Pickles, Citrus fruits & Citrus fruit items / juices as oranges, lemon even grapes are strictly restricted.

·         Fish and red meat should also be restricted. Oily / spicy food & non vegetarian food intake should be lowered.

·         Milk & milk product intake to be lowered (not in case of kids).

·         One should not take medicines containing Amla (Gooseberry - a rich source of Vit.C)

·         Any eatable made of sodium bi carb, stored sour things, junk food, tinned foods or drinks, chocolates, coffee or cocoa products should not be taken regularly.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR VITILIGO

The homeopathic remedies  given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the homeopathy treatment of this condition.

The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach.

Several remedies are available to treat  that can be selected on the basis of Causes, Sensations, Modalities , & Symptoms of the complaints.

SOME OF THE COMMANLY USED HOMOEOPATHIC  MEDICINE FOR VITILIGO

ARSENIC SULPH FLAVUM

SYPHILLINUM

SEPIA

NAT.MUR

ARS ALB

PHOUS

CANTHARIS

HYDROCOTYLE

SULPH

NIT. ACID

CARCINOCIN

MANGI.INDICA

PSORALIA

NUX VOM

BABCHI

IGNATIA

PULS

MEDORRHINUM

LYCO

ARS IOD

BACILLINUM

COBAL. NITRICUM

CUP.AC

CAL.FLOUR

ETC.