Leucoderma
Leucoderma is a disorder of the skin where patches lose their pigmentation, causing it to appear very white. Also known as vitiligo, these white patches are most commonly seen in areas that are exposed to the sun, including the face, lips, hands, feet, and arms. It can also be found in the groin, the armpits, the genitals and around the mouth, eyes, navel and nostrils. While this condition can affect both sexes, it occurs in women more frequently.
Symptoms
You may notice a small white spot at first. As this condition progresses, it enlarges into a patch. These patches enlarge and join together to form large areas without pigment. The spots begin just slightly paler than the surrounding skin and gradually get whiter and whiter. Some have very mild cases of this disorder, while others are affected all over.
Causes
Dermatologists say that leucoderma can be caused by burn injuries, defective perspiration mechanism, parasites in the alimentary canal, and impaired hepatic function. It can also be caused by mental stress and worry, diseases like typhoid fever that can affect the gastrointestinal tract, and gastric disorders. Heredity may also be a factor. There may be a connection to problems with the immune system. One theory is the immune system is attacking the pigment in those areas.
Cautions
This condition can cause a lot of mental anguish, especially in the young, as it makes them appear different.
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
- Ginkgo Biloba – this herb has been shown to be effective in an Indian study.
- Psoralea – soak the seeds in ginger juice for three days, then dry them and grind them to powder. Take 1 gram of powdered psoralea with fresh milk for 40 days.
- Ginger – drink ginger juice twice a day to increase circulation to the affected areas.
- Neem – crush the leaves and mix with amla churna. Take ½ to 1 teaspoon per day for a month.
- Fig – add figs regularly to your diet.
- Alfalfa – mix 100 grams of alfalfa with 100 grams of cucumber juice. Drink this twice a day for a few months.
- Garlic – eating garlic will help with leucoderma.
- Walnut – anecdotal evidence suggests eating walnuts regularly may help.
- Pomegranate – grind dried pomegranate leaves into a fine powder. Run it through a sieve and take 8 grams twice a day with fresh water.
External Applications
- Psoralea – ground seeds can be applied to white spots. Make a paste by combining the ground seeds with vinegar. Apply the paste to the white spots and expose them to sun early in the day for 15 minutes.
- Turmeric – Soak 500 grams of pounded turmeric in 8 kilograms of water. Heat it until it is reduced to 1 kilogram. Strain the solution and add 500 grams of mustard oil. Reheat until only oil is left. Apply it on white patches every morning and evening for a month.
- Tamarind – soak tamarind seed and psoralea in water for 3 or 4 days. Dry them, then grind them into a paste. Apply the paste to white patches for a week.
- Radish – make a paste from radish seeds and vinegar. Apply the paste to the affected area.