Homeopathy has safe solutions for this pigmentation disorder that affects 1.5 per cent of the world population, including 8 per cent Indians, writes Dr PANKAJ AGGARWAl Around 1.5 per cent of the world population, including 8 per cent Indians, suffers from vitiligo or white patches all over the body. This is not a serious disease and doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort to the body. It is a pigmentation disorder wherein melanin  the cells that make the pigment and provide colour to our skin are destroyed. The outcome is white patches on different parts of the body, including inside of the mouth and nose, and the inner layer of the eyeball or retina. Vitiligo can affect children as well as adults. Homeopathic medicine is often overlooked in modern times, but this method of treatment is bound to gain more grip as people are leaning towards a more natural way of living. Transitioning to things like organic food is proof that people are moving back to a natural way of life. As homeopathy is safe and has no side-effects on the body, it can be a great treatment option for vitiligo. Vitiligo occurs due to one or both processes in the body  first is destruction of melanin, and second is deficient formation of melanin. THE SYMPTOMS Vitiligo usually starts with a small white spot and later develops into patches. These white patches are soft/light in the beginning but become darker as time passes due to increase in loss of melanin. As time passes, spots merge with one another and become large white patches. In some cases, most of the skin can be covered with white patches. The spread of white patches is usually slow and progressive. White spots generally tend to grow proportionally on both sides of the body, but in some rare cases, vitiligo spreads erratically all over the body. White patches can vary in size, shape, intensity of the loss of colour, and in the profile of their distribution. At times, vitiligo becomes a constant skin condition, while in other cases it may go away on its own. SEVEN REMEDIES There are several remedies for treating vitiligo, but some have shown great results for the past many years: ·         Hydrocotyle Asiatica is debatably the best homeopathic component for the natural treatment of vitiligo. This ingredient motivates pigmentation and                 overturns the symptoms. ·         Arsenicum Sulfuratum Flavum is used on many vitiligo patients and has shown great results in removing white patches from the sufferers. This element also overturns the symptoms. ·         Syphilinum is a powerful natural treatment that is very successful in treating skin conditions as well as digestive problems. ·         Silica is not only effective in treating vitiligo, but also eczema. A Silica deficiency has been the cause of vitiligo in many patients. ·         Nitrium Acidum is a natural treatment for vitiligo and has shown some encouraging signs in the treatment of this skin condition. ·         Phosphorus is an ingredient which helps boost our immune system, heals the skin, and helps increase blood supply. ·         Acupuncture has recently been used on vitiligo patients and has shown promising results. Many patients suffering from vitiligo opt for acupuncture and           some have shown positive results. Use these medicines only after doctor’s prescription. The writer is a Delhi-based homeopathic physician

Around 1.5 per cent of the world population, including 8 per cent Indians, suffers from vitiligo or white patches all over the body. This is not a serious disease and doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort to the body. It is a pigmentation disorder wherein melanin  the cells that make the pigment and provide colour to our skin are destroyed. The outcome is white patches on different parts of the body, including inside of the mouth and nose, and the inner layer of the eyeball or retina. Vitiligo can affect children as well as adults.

Homeopathic medicine is often overlooked in modern times, but this method of treatment is bound to gain more grip as people are leaning towards a more natural way of living. Transitioning to things like organic food is proof that people are moving back to a natural way of life. As homeopathy is safe and has no side-effects on the body, it can be a great treatment option for vitiligo.

Vitiligo occurs due to one or both processes in the body  first is destruction of melanin, and second is deficient formation of melanin.

Vitiligo usually starts with a small white spot and later develops into patches. These white patches are soft/light in the beginning but become darker as time passes due to increase in loss of melanin. As time passes, spots merge with one another and become large white patches. In some cases, most of the skin can be covered with white patches.

The spread of white patches is usually slow and progressive. White spots generally tend to grow proportionally on both sides of the body, but in some rare cases, vitiligo spreads erratically all over the body.

White patches can vary in size, shape, intensity of the loss of colour, and in the profile of their distribution. At times, vitiligo becomes a constant skin condition, while in other cases it may go away on its own.

There are several remedies for treating vitiligo, but some have shown great results for the past many years:

·         Hydrocotyle Asiatica is debatably the best homeopathic component for the natural treatment of vitiligo. This ingredient motivates pigmentation and                 overturns the symptoms.

·         Arsenicum Sulfuratum Flavum is used on many vitiligo patients and has shown great results in removing white patches from the sufferers.

This element also overturns the symptoms.

·         Syphilinum is a powerful natural treatment that is very successful in treating skin conditions as well as digestive problems.

·         Silica is not only effective in treating vitiligo, but also eczema. A Silica deficiency has been the cause of vitiligo in many patients.

·         Nitrium Acidum is a natural treatment for vitiligo and has shown some encouraging signs in the treatment of this skin condition.

·         Phosphorus is an ingredient which helps boost our immune system, heals the skin, and helps increase blood supply.

·         Acupuncture has recently been used on vitiligo patients and has shown promising results. Many patients suffering from vitiligo opt for acupuncture and           some have shown positive results. Use these medicines only after doctor’s prescription.

The writer is a Delhi-based homeopathic physician