Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes, the cells that make melanin pigment in the skin, are destroyed. As a result there appear white patches on the skin in different parts of the body, mostly extremities.

Similar patches also appear on the mucous membranes. The hair that grow on areas affected by vitiligo sometimes turns white. The most widely accepted view is that the depigmentation occurs because vitiligo is an autoimmune disease,  a disease in which a person's immune system reacts against the body's own cells. Theonset of vitiligo in kids is seen much now a days. The percentage of kids affected by vitiligo is almost equal across the world. The main reason is the excessive intake of junk food and preservatives in the diet.

According to Ayurveda, Vitiligo or Shvitra is caused due to increase of Pitta in the body. Pitta is an Ayurvedic entity that symbolizes fire and is manifested in the skin. Pitta is responsible for the coloration of the skin. In the case of vitiligo, pitta gets imbalanced and leads to the formation of toxins which consequently impairs deeper body tissues and results in depigmentation of the skin.

The disease is deep rooted and need cleansing of aggravated pitta from the body and pacification of toxins

Conclusion:

Vitiligo is due to aggrevation of  Pitta and by clearing pitta i.e toxins from the body, we can see significant improvement in skin color. For this purgation is best because it is said to be most effective in the detoxification of body followed by oral therapy & oil application externally.

Causes

•          Acute/Chronic gastric diseases.

•          Incompatible food.

•          Suppression of vomiting.

•          Excess food intake

•          Intake of sour, sweet, salty & pungent food excessively

•          Heavy intake of fresh grains, curd & fish

•          Unhygienic conditions

•          Junk food & drinks

•          Liver diseases, jaundice, worm infestation

•          Tattoos on skin

•          Excessive physical exercise in the hot climate or exposure to heat

•          Drug induced like antibiotics, steroids, NSAID’s, anti-TB treatment

•          Mental causes-teasing & disrespecting the elders, sinful acts, stress etc.

Synptoms

•          White patches on skin.

•          Premature graying of hair in affected area.

•          Loss of color inside the mouth& other mucous membranes.

•          Discoloration of hair on white patches.

•          The patient may often suffer from mood swings & depression.

Herbs  Useful in Vitiligo

•          Khadir

•          Bakuchi

•          Tuvarak

•          Daru Haldi

•          Bhallatak

•          Karanj

•          Haritaki

•          Ashwagandha

•          Manjishtha

•          Neem

Diet to be followed

•          Old rice, wheat

•          Green gram

•          Light food

•          Bitter gourd

•          Vitamin A, C & D rich food.

Preventive measures

•          Avoid skin damage.

•          Improve nutrition & diet.

•          Steer clear of chemicals.

•          Avoid stressful conditions.

•          Wear sun safe clothing.

•          Limit exposure to chlorinated water.

Symptoms

•          White patches on skin.

•          Premature graying of hair in affected area.

•          Loss of color inside the mouth& other mucous membranes.

•          Discoloration of hair on white patches.

•          The patient may often suffer from mood swings & depression.

 

“Being the oldest medical science,  Ayurveda has got much  experience in treating vitiligo. It acts on the root cause of the disease and advocates its both shodhan and shaman chikitsa.