UnNatural Vitiligo Treatment System

Natural Vitiligo Treatment System™

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The Home Vitiligo Cure That Doctors Don't Want You To Discover ©


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

Chapter 1 .............................................................................................. 8

Vitiligo: Overview, Risk Factors, Symptoms & Classification ............................... 8

What is Vitiligo? ......................................................................................................... 8

What Causes Vitiligo? ................................................................................. 8

Who Is Affected by Vitiligo? .......................................................................... 8

Symptoms ................................................................................................ 9

Classification of Vitiligo ................................................................................ 9

Chapter 2 ............................................................................................ 14

Diagnosis of Vitiligo .................................................................................. 14

History of The Patient .............................................................................................. 14

Physical Examination ................................................................................ 15

Wood's Lamp Examination ......................................................................... 16

Laboratory Tests ...................................................................................... 17

Skin Biopsy ............................................................................................. 17

Chapter 3 ............................................................................................ 19

Treatment Options for Vitiligo: ..................................................................... 19

Part 1 - Medical Therapies ................................................................. 19

Topical Corticosteroid Therapy.................................................................... 19

Topical Immunomodulators ........................................................................ 20

Topical Psoralen Plus Ultraviolet A [PUVA].................................................... 20

Oral Psoralen Photochemotherapy [Oral PUVA] ............................................. 21


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Narrowband Ultraviolet B [UVB] Therapy ...................................................... 21

Excimer Laser ......................................................................................... 22

Depigmentation ........................................................................................ 23

Surgical Therapies.................................................................................... 23

Negative Effects of Therapies ..................................................................... 25

Some Common Drugs and Side Effects ........................................................ 26

Part 2 ................................................................................................... 29

Natural Vitiligo Remedies .................................................................. 29

1. Home and Natural Remedies ............................................................................ 29

Red Clay ................................................................................................ 29

Radish Seeds .......................................................................................... 29

Other Guidelines ...................................................................................... 30

Goosefoot Vegetable ................................................................................ 30

Mustard Oil and Turmeric ........................................................................... 30

Wild Duckweed Tincture ............................................................................ 31

Corylifolia [Babchi] .................................................................................... 32

Khella .................................................................................................... 33

Lime Juice and Basil Leaves ...................................................................... 33

Indian Gooseberry and Acacia .................................................................... 34

Pomegranate Leaves ................................................................................ 34

Black Gram ............................................................................................. 34

Ginger Leaves ......................................................................................... 35

Ginkgo Biloba .......................................................................................... 35

Neem ..................................................................................................... 36

Figs ....................................................................................................... 36


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Walnuts .................................................................................................. 37

Indian Lilac Leaves ................................................................................... 37

Psoralea Corylifolia ................................................................................... 37

Barberry Root .......................................................................................... 37

Leadwort root .......................................................................................... 37

Celery .................................................................................................... 38

Coconut Oil ............................................................................................. 38

Black Cumin ............................................................................................ 39

Copper Vessel ......................................................................................... 39

2. Lifestyle Changes .............................................................................................. 40

Sunlight and Vitiligo .................................................................................. 40

Use Sunscreen ........................................................................................ 41

Use Concealing Cosmetics ........................................................................ 41

3. Diet and Food ..................................................................................................... 42

Foods to Avoid ......................................................................................... 43

4. Vitiligo and Vitamins .......................................................................................... 44

Water Soluble .......................................................................................... 45

Fat Soluble ............................................................................................. 45

5. Homeopathic Treatments for Vitiligo ............................................................... 46

Arsenicum Sulfuratum Flavum .................................................................... 46

Syphilinum .............................................................................................. 46

Kali Carbonicum ....................................................................................... 47

Silicea [Silica] .......................................................................................... 47

Nitricum Acidum ....................................................................................... 47


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Carcinosin .............................................................................................. 48

Phosphorus ............................................................................................. 48

Hydrocotyle Asiatica ................................................................................. 49

Natrum Muriaticum ................................................................................... 49

6. Ayurvedic Treatment for Vitiligo ....................................................................... 50

Part 3 ................................................................................................... 52

Preventive Measures .......................................................................... 52

Some More Prevention Tips ....................................................................... 53

Chapter 4 ............................................................................................ 55

Choosing a Treatment Option: .................................................................... 55

Glossary of Important Terms ...................................................................... 57

Bibliography and References ...................................................................... 59

Scientific Research Papers ........................................................................ 59

Websites Consulted During Research .......................................................... 61

Index ..................................................................................................... 61


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Chapter 1

Vitiligo: Overview, Risk Factors, Symptoms & Classification

What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a skin disease in which patches of skin all over the body lose their real

color and become white. This happens due to the cells responsible for making color in

these areas of the skin getting destroyed. These cells are called melanocytes. Other

than the skin, vitiligo can also affect the eyes and the mucous membranes of a person.

What Causes Vitiligo?

The exact cause of vitiligo is unknown, for there are countless opinions, ideas and

even contradictory research studies about the real causes. Some researchers have the

opinion that it is an autoimmune disease, in which the human body's immune system

unexpectedly starts attacking some parts of the body. It is believed that the immune

system starts attacking the meloanocytes in the skin responsible for pigmentation.

Moreover, this disease may have its roots in a person's genetic makeup as well.

Others are of the opinion that the melanocytes begin to destroy themselves. Many

researchers say that sometimes some events, such as severe sunburn and emotional

distress, can bring about this disease. However, there is no proof that these factors are

actually responsible for causing vitiligo in any way.

Who Is Affected by Vitiligo?

Vitiligo has substantial impact on people all over the globe. For example, in the US

alone, around 1 to 2 million people have this disease and most of them have developed

it before turning 40. It has been observed that this disease has the same impact on all

races and genders, regardless of area or environment.


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According to studies, people having specific autoimmune diseases, such as

hyperthyroidism, are more prone to suffer from vitiligo. Researchers and health

scientists have not been able to figure out why this is so. Simultaneously, it has been

noted that most people with vitiligo do not have any other autoimmune diseases.

Vitiligo has a genetic factor attached to it as well, and children whose parents have

suffered from this disease are more susceptible to it. However, this does not necessarily

mean that a person whose parent has vitiligo will definitely develop the disease.

Symptoms

Discolored patches on different sections of the skin are the major symptoms of

vitiligo. Mostly, these patches are found on areas most exposed to the sun, such as the

hands, feet, face, arms and lips. There are other areas where these white patches can

be clearly observed:

� Around the mouth

� Nostrils

� Navel

� Genitals

� Rectal sections

� The armpits and the groin

� Eyes

Moreover, people who suffer from vitiligo have early gray hair as well. Sometimes, a

loss of color inside the mouth is also observed.

Classification of Vitiligo

In vitiligo, the patient's skin cells start losing melanin, which is responsible for the

skin's pigmentation. Melanocytes, as said earlier, are responsible for producing melanin,

which in turn gives our skin its natural color. The more melanin your melanocytes

produce, the darker your skin color gets. Now, if a bodily dysfunction destroys your


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melanocytes or stops the production of melanin, this loss shows itself in the form of

white skin patches on different parts of the body. These dreaded white skin sections are

symptoms of invading vitiligo.

Vitiligo may affect people belonging to all genders and races. According to recent

surveys, about 40 to 50 million people are victims of this disease. Vitiligo has numerous

classifications, but the disease may be broadly broken down into two main ones:

1. General Vitiligo

This sort of vitiligo is commonly referred to as bilateral vitiligo. In this type, the

acrofacial areas, such as the hands, feet, and face, and distal extremities get

affected by the depigmentation process and are discolored. In this type of vitiligo,

the patches may appear in both symmetric and asymmetric patterns.

2. Segmental Vitiligo

In this category of vitiligo, the discolored patches appear in either of the two

fashions: dermatomal or quasidermatomal. It is most commonly observed in

children.

These major types of vitiligo may be further divided into other sub-categories as well.


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Figure 1. Vitiligo in the facial region.

Figure 2. Vitiligo on the hands.


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Subtypes of General Vitiligo

1. Acro-facial Vitiligo: This type of vitiligo only affects the face, head, feet, and

hands. These prominent parts of the body are left discolored by the disease

under discussion.

2. Vulgaris Vitiligo: In this type, discolored patches of skin appear in classical,

symmetric, or asymmetric patterns and are widely distributed all over the body.

3. Mixed Vitiligo: In this kind, the white patches appear in more than one pattern

and they may emerge on any part of the body. For instance, the occurrence of

acrofacial and segmental Vitiligo both is referred to as mixed vitiligo.

4. Universal or Complete Vitiligo: If vitiligo patches appear all over body and the

person gets affected completely, this condition is known as universal vitiligo.

Segmental Vitiligo Subtypes

1. Focal Vitiligo: In this type of vitiligo, one or more parts of a single body area are

affected and discolored.

2. Mucosal Vitiligo: In this type of vitiligo, the disease specifically hits the mucous

membranes that make up the human body.

There are some other kinds of vitiligo as well, which may be regarded as a separate

from the basic categories mentioned above. They are as follows:

Occupational Vitiligo

Chemical products, such as those used in skin bleaching and treating, may severely

damage the skin cells and dehydrate them. Such conditions may lead to the


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development of vitiligo. If vitiligo occurs due to such external chemical factors, it is

known as occupational vitiligo.

Zostiform Vitiligo

The human body's peripheral nervous system comprises of many nerves that

connect the organs and limbs that spread throughout the body to the central nervous

system. If the vitiligo disease affects these peripheral nerves, then this type is known as

Zostiform Vitiligo.

Quadrichrome Vitiligo

This type of vitiligo is a little different from those discussed above. In this kind,

excessive pigmentation occurs in the skin due to which the patches that appear are

darker than the skin's actual shade. It is quite harmless and does not pose any other

threat to life.

Punctate Vitiligo

In this kind of vitiligo, lesions of the disease appear in all sizes.

Inflammatory Vitiligo

In inflammatory vitiligo, the discolored patches that appear are accompanied by a

raised erythematous pruritic border.


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Chapter 2

Diagnosis of Vitiligo

Vitiligo is fairly easy to detect and diagnose. Even a common physician can perform

this task effectively in most of the cases. However, in some unusual cases, the help of a

dermatologist may be required to perform the diagnosis. A general practice in this

regard is to explore the history of the patient in question.

History of The Patient

Vitiligo may be the result of several external factors due to which it is necessary to

take down the history of the patient. Pain arising from sunburn may prove to be a

symptom due to which it is necessary to take a patients history of localized sunburn or

lesional skin as it is called scientifically. Other than this, cutaneous trauma occurs

during the onset of vitiligo, or when the disease spreads to new areas. Physicians can

watch out for that as well.

Physical trauma, such as caused by friction or surgical incisions, may also trigger

vitiligo. A patient's history is usually taken along with clinical evaluation in order to

exclude factors such as previous inflammation, genetic disorders, infectious diseases,

or chemical leukoderma. If a patient is younger than 30, the existence of family history

of vitiligo and autoimmune diseases are identified as high risk factors

In around 30 percent of the cases, if a person is suffering from vitiligo, at least his or

her first degree relatives will suffer from the condition as well. Such patients of vitiligo

usually have an early onset of the disease. If the onset of the disease takes place at an

older age, there is a possibility that another disorder, such as autoimmune thyroid

disease or melanoma, is responsible for the condition.


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Around 20 percent of people suffering from vitiligo have an already existing

autoimmune disorder as well.

In this regard, autoimmune thyroid disease is a condition that is most commonly

associated with vitiligo. Other disorders associated with the condition, albeit less

commonly, are Addison's disease, SLE [systemic lupus erythematosus], pernicious

anemia, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Physical Examination

In vitiligo, the affected skin is completely depigmented instead of getting

hypopigmented. The disease also affects the periorificial and acral skin. If the perianal

and genital skin is affected as well, it helps determine what sort of vitiligo the patient is

suffering from. In Trichrome vitiligo, three skin colors or levels of pigmentation may be

observed in a patient. In this condition, a rim of hypopigmented epidermis surrounds the

achromatic patches of skin. In Quadr and Pentachrome vitiligo, more shades of skin

may be observed. However, this type of vitiligo occurs very rarely and is usually found

among the dark skinned people.

There are other symptoms associated with vitiligo. Halo nevus occurs around 10

times more in vitiligo patients as compared to the normal population. Blistering of the

Vitiliginous areas due to sunburn, odema, and erythema are also signs of vitiligo. Uveitis

is another condition that is usually found in patients suffering from vitiligo. The

depigmentation due to vitiligo affects the choroid and retina in around 40 percent of

patients.


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Figure 3. Uveitis (swelling and irritation of the middle layer of the eye) is fairly common in vitiligo patients.

Wood's Lamp Examination

Wood's Lamp Examination is another technique for diagnosing vitiligo. The lamp

emits UVA radiations with an average range of 315 to 400 nm and almost zero visible

light. The resultant emitted radiations are known as black light. In this method, two

criteria are useful in diagnosis:

1. More Contrast: As vitiligo is accompanied by the loss of epidermal pigmentation,

the UVA radiations do not penetrate deeper into the layers. The resultant

contrast between the affected and unaffected skin areas gets enhanced.

2. Fluorescence Effect: The vitiligo-infected skin gives off an unusual blue

fluorescence whereas normal skin does not.


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Laboratory Tests

Vitiligo is usually accompanied by autoimmune thyroiditis due to which relevant

clinical testing and evaluation for the latter disease should be carried out in all

suspected vitiligo patients. However, testing for other diseases and conditions will not

give conclusive evidence for the diagnosis of vitiligo.

Skin Biopsy

Specialists have to opt for a skin biopsy in very rare cases. The melanocytes are

most clearly identified with the use of specialized stains, such as Fontana-Masson stain,

which highlight the melanin pigment. Furthermore, agents such as Dihydroxy-

phenylalanine may be used to bring the unpigmented melanocytes to light as well.

In skin biopsy, a sample of the patient's skin is used to diagnose the condition of the

skin and identify whether the condition is the result of a chronic skin condition, fungal, or

bacterial infection.

The biopsy of a certain lesion of your skin, such as a tumor or mole removal, may

prove to be helpful for the diagnosing specialist. It will help the specialist identify

whether the infection is cancerous or benign. The skin sample obtained is further

forwarded to specific laboratories where it is studied under a microscope to determine

the disease and its real cause and type.

Here are the details of skin biopsy, which you may find useful:

� In punch biopsy, a small cylindrical section of the skin is removed using an

instrument shaped like a cookie cutter. In this kind of biopsy, sometimes stitches

are required to heal the wound.

� In excision biopsy, the entire area of skin suspected of vitiligo is cut out using a

scalpel. This incision is usually closed by using stitches.

� In shave biopsy, the outermost layer of the infected lesion is shaved off using a

scalpel and then examined.


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� Aspiration is a process that is used to study lesions filled with fluid. Your medical

specialist can extract the fluid from the lesion using a small syringe arrangement.

There are certain risks associated with biopsy due to which it is usually the last

option for the diagnosis of vitiligo. You should always discuss your condition with your

doctor before opting for skin biopsy. Common risks that are associated with this

procedure are

� Infection

� Reaction to anesthetic

� Bleeding from biopsy region

� Pain

� Problems with wound healing.

Diagnosis is necessary because it determines the real cause and sometime removal

of the cause can treat the disease. It is also helps the physician determine further

treatment and take some other alternative routes to cure it.


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Chapter 3

Treatment Options for Vitiligo:

Part 1 - Medical Therapies

1. Medical Therapies

A medical regime isn't always necessary for treating vitiligo. Sometimes the skin

color goes back to normal without any treatment at all. For many others, products such

as sunscreen and concealing cosmetics have the desired effects of improving the skin's

appearance. For fair-skinned patients, avoiding the sun and the tanning process makes

the affected areas almost undetectable.

However, in some cases, medical treatments are necessary. This decision is based

on the size, number and location of the patches of affected skin. Medical treatments for

this condition mostly focus on the skin tone. They do so by either restoring pigmentation

or getting rid of the left over pigmentation.

These treatments take a long time, and usually spread over a period of 6 to 18

months. Moreover, you may have to try many treatments before finding the one that

suits you best.

Topical Corticosteroid Therapy

Corticosteroids are useful substances that may return the lost color to the skin,

especially if they are taken during the early stages of vitiligo. For people, having large

portions of vitiligo affected skin, or children, topical corticosteroid creams and ointments

of a milder nature maybe prescribed. Remember that medical treatments take some

time to show results and you will have to wait for an average of 3 months before you will

be able to observe any change in your skin's color. This treatment is both effective and

easy but it can be accompanied by many side effects, hence a doctor should monitor


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your progress while you are undergoing this treatment. Possible side effects include

skin atrophy and skin striae. Sometimes, corticosteroids accompany a vitamin D

derivative called Dovonex for maximum effect.

Topical Immunomodulators

These ointments, containing pimecrolimus and tacrolimus, are especially effective for

patients of vitiligo with small and localized areas of depigmentation. It is found usually

around the neck and face. This medical treatment may be used in conjunction with UVB

treatments and is accompanied by lesser side effects as compared to corticosteroids.

Nevertheless, they aren’t totally safe and only a very small amount of research has

been carried out in this area. There is also a prevalent concern in the medical world that

this treatment may trigger skin cancer or lymphoma.

Topical Psoralen Plus Ultraviolet A [PUVA]

PUVA, also commonly referred to as phototherapy, is effective for those vitiligo

patients with less than 20 percent of their bodies covered with vitiligo patches. In this

treatment, a thin film of a substance called psoralen is applied onto the depigmented

skin for about 30 minutes before the skin is exposed to UVA light. The chemical

mentioned above makes the skin more sensitive to UVA radiations. Once this is done,

the skin is exposed to UVA light, which in turn colors the treated areas light pink. As the

skin begins to heal, the normal color of a patient's skin starts returning. For effective

results through this therapy, you will need to visit your doctor about once or twice per

week.

Another type of this treatment is known as water bath PUVA. In this treatment, the

patient has to lie in a bathtub of water that contains psoralen for 15 minutes before

exposure to UVA light.

This treatment is accompanied by possible side effects as well. These include

severe blistering and sun burns and hyperpigmentation of the skin. The former may be

avoided by avoiding exposure to sunlight after the treatment.


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Oral Psoralen Photochemotherapy [Oral PUVA]

Oral PUVA is recommended to patients, having than 20 percent of their entire skin

covered by depigmented vitiligo. In this method, an oral dosage of psoralen is taken

around two hours before exposure to UVA light. As observed in the topical method, the

exposed vitiligo skin turns pink after exposure and gradually takes on the normal skin

color. For the desired effect, you will need to visit your doctor around two to three times

per week and these visits should be separated by at least a day. If you don’t happen to

have access to a doctor with the proper equipment required for this procedure, you may

use natural sunlight as well. However, it is better to consult your doctor during this

process. Let him or her determine how much sun exposure is required and they would

monitor your skin throughout this time period.

Side Effects

There are many side effects associated with this type of therapy. These include

over-darkening of the skin, sunburn, abnormal hair growth, itching, nausea and

vomiting. These are the short term effects of this therapy. In the long run, you increase

your risks of developing skin cancer due to the increased exposure to UVA radiation.

Furthermore, this treatment is not recommended for children younger than 10 years,

since it can damage their eyes and increases their chances of developing cataracts.

However, you can reduce your chances of developing skin cancer by avoiding

sunlight for around one to two days after your treatment session. You can further

decrease your chances by using a sunscreen regularly. Wear UVA protective glasses in

order to minimize the possible damage to your eyes.

Narrowband Ultraviolet B [UVB] Therapy

This is an alternative to the traditional PUVA. Narrowband UVB uses a special

wavelength of light known as Ultraviolet B as opposed to the Ultra Violet A light used by

PUVA. This specific treatment may be carried out thrice per week, similar to PUVA.

However, the entire treatment process is greatly simplified by the fact that it does not

require prior application of psolaren and due to this distinguishing feature, it is becoming

popular. Nevertheless, there is still debate over whether it is more effective than PUVA

or not. Moreover, its long-term effects have not been analyzed as yet.


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These narrowband wavelengths may be used to target focused areas, using a

focused light source such as a laser. The small experiments carried out using this

method have been promising so far but this treatment is not readily available in an

average dermatologist's office due to the increase cost of the special equipment.

Excimer Laser

This special laser is used to target specific skin areas with UVB light. Due to its

nature, it can only be used to treat small sections of vitiligo-infected skin. Therefore, it is

used in conjunction with other drugs. Its side effects include blistering and redness of

skin.

Figure 4. Excimer laser treatment.


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Depigmentation

If half or more than half of your skin is covered with vitiligo-infected skin,

depigmentation is an option for you. In this treatment, the tone of the unaffected parts of

the skin area is lightened to match with the skin sections, having already become

discolored. In this medical treatment, the patient has to apply special chemical, called

monobenzone ether of hydroquinone, on the unaffected parts of the skin about twice a

day. This chemical lightens your skin tone and the patient should continue with this

practice until the two shades or his or her skin are more or less the same.

This treatment is usually accompanied by redness and swelling. Other side effects

include dry and itchy skin and your skin will become permanently sensitive to sunlight. If

you are undergoing this treatment, make sure that you avoid coming into contact with a

person until around two hours after you have put on the chemical agent.

Surgical Therapies

These therapies can be used on areas of skin with stable vitiligo conditions. Grafting

and transplant procedures maybe employed to deliver the desired results. Grafts of skin

maybe removed from areas not visible and grafted onto the visible vitiligo areas. After

this, light is usually used to propagate the pigment to spread across the grafter area.

In some parts of the world, such as India, researchers are using samples of normal

skin to make cultures of melanocytes and keratinocytes. These cells are then spread

over the vitiligo-infected areas and are allowed to spread. These areas having been

treated are covered with bandages for some time to avoid interference. These surgical

therapies are usually used on areas of segmental vitiligo as this condition becomes

stable after some time. However, surgical therapies are accompanied with the risks of

causing skin trauma, which in turn triggers vitiligo even more. As a result, these

techniques are only practiced if the patient's condition has been stable for over a year.

There are certain other side effects associated with this therapy. These include scarring

and the cobblestone or patch work effect. Here are some surgical treatments that are

performed on Vitiligo patients.


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� Mini-Punch Grafting

In this method, small and thick skin grafts are planted on the discolored areas

of the skin. Topical PUVA is then used to propel the process of stimulation.

However, this treatment has a negative effect, namely the cobblestone effect.

� Thin Split-Thickness Grafts

The technique is similar to mini-punch grafting but instead of taking a thick

slice of skin, a thinner section is taken. This process usually requires anesthesia

and is usually used to treat the lips and hands. Both the donor and acceptor

areas may get scarred during this method.

� Suction Blister Grafting

In this method, the dermis is separated from the epidermis, using a special

suction device that inadvertently causes blisters. The separated epidermis is then

placed on the vitiligo section of the skin. In this therapy, the area between grafts

stays hypopigmented at times but there is very less scarring.

� Transplant Therapies

In these therapies, either the melanocytes or combined melanocytes and

keratinocytes are transplanted into the skin. In both the cases, the area in which

the cells are to be transplanted is abraded with a laser. A dressing, consisting of

the relevant cells in then, is placed on the area and the area remains covered

until the skin heals. Sometimes, light is also used to enhance the process of

pigmentation.

� Transplantation Of Pure Melanocytes

This requires an optimum growth medium. As this is hard to achieve, it often

delivers unexpected results. If the proper growth medium is not used, it could

actually cause the development of malignant melanocyte cells. In this method,


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the melanocytes from the donor skin are extracted and then cultured into a

special growth medium.

� Transplanting Melanocytes And Keratinocytes Together

This technique is considered easier than the previous one, since it does not

require a growth medium. This is because the keratinocytes propagate the

production of melanocytes. In this treatment, both the melanocytes and

keratinocytes are removed from the donor skin.

Most people with vitiligo assume that the treatments available for this condition are

miracle cures, having properties to remove the root cause of this disorder. However,

most vitiligo treatments focus on the pigmentation process to enhance the appearance

of the vitiligo patient. The following is a list of some vitiligo medical treatments and their

possible negative side effects. Remember that these effects vary from person to person

and are dependent upon considerations such as duration of treatment and skin type.

Negative Effects of Therapies

Negative Effects of Phototherapy [NB UVB & PUVA]

� Skin Damage

� Itching

� Premature Aging

� Increased risk of skin cancer

� Dry Skin

� Reddening of skin

� Upset Stomach

Negative Effects of Micro-pigmentation [Tattooing]

� Tattoo color fades with time

� Red bumps due to inflammation


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� Keloid Scars

� Allergic reactions

� Mismatch of tattoo color

� Tattoo color does not tan

Negative Effects of Steroids

� Leads to relapse

� Stretch marks

� Skin shrinkage

Negative Effects of Excimer Laser

� Blisters

� Sores

� Erythema

� Hyperpigmentation

Negative Effects of Depigmentation:

� Not easily reversible

� Skin becomes sensitive to sunlight

� Redness and inflammation

� Itching

� Dry Skin

Some Common Drugs and Side Effects

i. Monobenzone

Be very careful while using this drug. If you are allergic to the compound

monobenzene, don't use this drug. Moreover, don't apply it on the areas not discolored

due to vitiligo. This compound may take around 4 months to deliver the desired effects.

It is essential that you keep on using this medicine as per your doctor's instructions and


27

consult him or her if you don't notice any improvements in your conditions after one

month of treatment. If you are undergoing this treatment, it is best to avoid sunlight and

tanning salons. This is because monobenzone makes your skin permanently sensitive

to sunlight. Use sunscreen whenever you go out in the sun and exercise extreme

caution.

ii. Methoxsalen Oral

This drug is specifically used to treat extreme cases of vitiligo. Hence, it should only

be used if the vitiligo condition does not respond well to other treatments. This is

because this specific drug has some extreme side effects such as skin cancer, aging

and cataracts. You should always consult your doctor before going for this treatment.

This drug is available is different doses and each dose is used for a different

purpose. Therefore, you should not switch doses, unless your physician recommends

the dose-switch. Keeping the gravity of the situation in mind, please check your dose

every time it is refilled.

iii. Methoxsalen Top

Methoxsalen Top is used in conjunction with UVA to return pigmentation to the

discolored areas of the skin. This chemical works by making the vitiligo-infected skin

more sensitive to the ensuing ultraviolet radiations. As a result, the number of

melanocytes, which are responsible for producing melanin in the skin, is increased. This

drug is not recommended for patients younger than 12 years of age.

How to use Methoxsalen Top?

This special agent is first applied to the vitiligo-affected areas by a medical

specialist. These areas are then exposed to UVA light. The number of times you should

get this done per week is dependent upon your skin's response to the treatment.

Once you have treated your skin with this drug, protect it from exposure to sunlight.

Even sunlight through the windows may prove to be harmful. This is because this


28

excessive exposure to UVA rays may lead to sunburns. If you cannot avoid the sun

completely, put on sunscreen and wear clothes that cover up all the exposed parts of

your body. Your doctor will be able to provide you with relevant information regarding

the type of sunscreen to use.

You will start to see an improvement in your condition in about a couple of weeks but

the desired final effect will be obtained after 6 to 9 months. If your condition remains

stagnant or starts deteriorating, immediately consult your doctor.

iv. Oxsoralen Top

This compound is used with controlled doses of UVA light to stimulate the process of

pigmentation in the vitiligo-affected areas of the skin. This drug works in a manner

similar to Methoxsalen.

How to use Oxsoralen Top

Oxsoralen Top is used and applied in a manner similar to Methoxsalen. It is

therefore accompanied by the same side effects and precautionary measures. A vitiligo

patient should be very careful during the course of this treatment.

NOTE:

It is important to remember that all these medications have potential side

effects and some of these side effects are very severe. It is therefore extremely

important that you consult the relevant physician or doctor before opting for one

or more of these treatments.


29

Part 2

Natural Vitiligo Remedies

1. Home and Natural Remedies

The saying goes that God has not created anything without purpose, and it proves

quite true when finding out alternative treatments for vitiligo. You will be amazed to learn

that some common home remedies work wonders in most cases and now they are

considered a panacea in some vitiligo cases.

In this book you will be given as much information as possible about the natural

treatment options available for this condition so that if you have stopped trying one

thing, you can try another and if you do not find a simple remedy, the other one may

prove effective in your case. The greatest advantage of these tactics is that they have

almost no side effects, unlike conventional medical treatments.

Red Clay

Red clay is a potent remedy for vitiligo. It is usually found along hill slopes and

riversides and is easily available in markets. It should be applied to the affected skin in

conjunction with ginger juice. Keep the ratio one to one and apply it daily. Leave on the

skin for 15 to 20 minutes. This remedy is very effective.

Radish Seeds

Another cure for the discolored spots left behind by vitiligo is that of radish seeds.

You will have to prepare a paste of radish seeds to apply it to the affected areas. To

make the mixture, take around 25 grams of these seeds and grind them. Make a fine

paste by mixing this powder in two teaspoons of vinegar and apply it to the discolored

skin. Your pigmentation will return gradually, and you will see a great improvement.


30

Other Guidelines

� Avoid beverages that promote too much activity such as soft drinks, tea and

coffee during this remedy. This is because they may further irritate the skin in

some vitiligo patients.

� Cut down your intake of packed, canned and junk food. These foods contain

preservatives that may potentially further damage your affected skin.

� Reduce your oil and fatty food intake as excessive intake of these foods may

worsen your vitiligo situation.

Goosefoot Vegetable

Goosefeet vegetable is an important member of the list of home remedies. It's very

easy to use. Take the juicy part of this vegetable and apply it directly to the discolored

part of your skin. Do this daily for two months and then see the results. You will find

considerable improvement in your pigmentation and if there is less progress, prolong its

use.

Mustard Oil and Turmeric

Turmeric has numerous health advantages due to which it is frequently used in

Ayurvedic medicines. It is primarily used as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent,

but it has other positive effects as well. It prevents bacterial infections when it is applied

to wounds and overall strengthens the human body's immunity system as well. Mustard

oil removes toxic substances from the body and is an antibacterial agent. The two

items, when used together, are very useful for vitiligo patients.

Here's the recipe for preparing this remedy:

Carefully mix 250 milliliters of mustard oil with a teaspoon of turmeric and apply this

mixture twice a day on the affected areas of your skin. You will have to continue with

this for more than a year to witness the positive effects. You will observe that your skin

will get healthier and the stains of vitiligo will start fading away.


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Wild Duckweed Tincture

Wild duckweed is an effective agent for adding pigmentation back to the white skin

spots that are the consequence of vitiligo. It is also known as Lemna and is available in

summers only. Some people confuse it with wild ducks, which is not the case. In fact, it

is a weed.

Here are the instructions for preparing the Duckweed Tincture:

Wash the duckweed and soak a quarter cup of it in 500 milliliters of vodka. Leave it

in this state for around a week and then separate the duckweed, using a strainer. Keep

the remaining solution in a bottle. Before taking your daily meals, mix around six

tablespoons of the solution with two tablespoons of water and consume it twice a day.

Be sure to take it on a regular basis, and you will witness the difference with time.

Figure 5. Wild Duckweed.


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Corylifolia [Babchi]

Corylifolia, also known as Babchi, is an effective agent for treating vitiligo as well.

These seeds are obtained from the Psoralea plant, which is very popular for its anti-

vitiligo properties. Make a paste of Babchi seeds and apply it to the vitiligo-affected skin.

You should do this in the early morning. Once you are done applying, sit in the sunlight

for about 20 minutes.

Babchi seeds may be used with ginger juice for this condition as well. You can make

the ginger juice very easily by boiling an inch of ginger in around 250 milliliters of water.

Once you've made the juice, add the Babchi seeds and allow the mixture to cool down.

Once it has cooled down, drink the mixture. The optimum time for having this mixture is

in the morning before eating or drinking anything. You can use the Babchi seeds for

three days before replacing them with new ones, but you will have to make the ginger

juice every day.

Figure 6. Babchi (Corylifolia) seeds from the Psoralea plant.


33

Khella

Khella is said to be one of the oldest herbs ever know in the history, even dating

back to 4,000 years of Egyptian era. It is from the family of carrots and parsley. The

Egyptians used it for several ailments. Its plant is around three feet in height and

produce clusters of flowers with the fruit appearing in late summer. It has been found to

be effective for vitiligo.

Include a dose of 120 to 160 milligrams of Khella fruit or flower in your daily diet. You

can even use it in powdered form as well.

Figure 7. The Khella herb.

Lime Juice and Basil Leaves

Basil leaves maybe found in almost every grocery store and are very useful when it

comes to vitiligo. Apart from treating vitiligo, it also has stress decreasing, anti-aging,

and antiviral properties. By applying a mixture of basil leaves and lime juice to the

affected areas, patients of vitiligo can simulate melanin, and hence pigmentation,

production.

In order to bring about the best results, here is what you should do:

Mix the extract of basil leaves and lime juice in a container and apply it to the

discolored patches. Do this three or four times a day and you will notice a considerable


34

difference in five to six months. Moreover, this remedy is perfectly safe and has no side

effects at all.

Indian Gooseberry and Acacia

This is another useful remedy for vitiligo. Mix portions of Acacia Katechu [called

Kikar in local language] and Indian Gooseberry and add a dab of honey to this mixture.

Consume around 50 milliliters of this mixture twice a day for effective results.

Pomegranate Leaves

Leaves of famous pomegranate trees are another effective cure for vitiligo. Powder

some pomegranate leaves and store them. Consume around eight grams of this powder

with water twice a day, and you will see positive results within two weeks.

Black Gram

Take some black grams and crush it in powdered form. Now add some water and

make a fine paste. Apply it to the discolored areas and allow it to dry. Wash it off once it

dries up. For effective results, apply this paste daily for four to five months.

Figure 8. Black Gram.


35

Ginger Leaves

Powder some ginger leaves with a poultice and apply this mixture on the affected

areas. Another way is to eat 600 grams of uncooked cucumber, 3 betel leaves, and 15

grams ginger drink juice of lemons on daily basis. It will also work effectively.

Ginkgo Biloba

Gingko Biloba is a very popular plant in the herbal world that has its origins in the

Zhejiang province of Eastern China. This herb is very unusual, because it has no close

plant relatives. Scientists are looking into the matter of using this strange herb for the

treatment of vitiligo. Its prospects are very promising: according to research, Biloba is

not only effective in preventing the disease from spreading further, but is also an agent

for skin re-pigmentation. The recommended dose is 40 milligrams three times daily.

According to some researchers, these suspected properties may be a result of the

plant's antioxidant and immune system boosting properties. Moreover, the Biloba herb

consists of ingredients that are very soothing and maybe used to cure inflammatory and

allergic reactions as well.

In a 2011 study conducted by the University of Toronto, ALL vitiligo patients given

ginkgo biloba exhibited a cessation of spreading; many also experienced re-

pigmentation with this herb alone. This amazing study was reported in the March 2011

issue of BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Figure 9. Scientists have found that Ginkgo Biloba Extract (40mg 3 times daily) halts the spread of vitiligo and enhances

re-pigmentation.


36

Neem

Neem is a famous tree mostly grown in India, Pakistan and other South Asian

countries. It has very good healing properties. It is used in the treatment of a variety of

skin conditions and is widely used by those patients who don't respond well to typical

medical therapies. The skin ailments such as warts, acne, ringworm, eczema, psoriasis,

scaling and dandruff have proved to be healed through its use. It also has anti-

inflammatory and antibacterial properties due to which it is often used to heal minor skin

abrasions and scrapes. Therefore, it has been used for vitiligo as well as it affects the

skin working as a detox. Neem also boosts the human body's immunity system and it

has ideal skin rejuvenating properties. Mostly, its leaves, barks and its small fruits are

also used for skin care and blood purification.

Figure 10. The Neem plant.

Figs

Eating figs in their pure raw form are very good for curing vitiligo as they improve the

blood circulation and purify the blood. Other than this, you can also apply them on to the

affected areas. Roast some figs, powder them and make a fine paste by mixing water.

Now apply the paste to the discolored areas of your skin and see the results.


37

Walnuts

Crush Walnuts into a fine powder and mix it with water to form a paste. Apply this

mixture to the affected areas. You can also consume walnuts orally for achieving the

desired results.

Indian Lilac Leaves

Indian Lilac leaves are very good for vitiligo patients as well, since these leaves

contain the essential compounds that can effectively cure this condition. Extract the

juice out of this leaves and drink the juice twice a day for effective results.

Psoralea Corylifolia

As the name suggests, this plant contains Psolaren, which has been discussed

before as an anti-vitiligo agent. The seeds of this plant contain psoralen, which reacts

with the UV light present in sunlight and causes the darkening to skin cells.

Barberry Root

This root contains many chemical compounds and substances that have anti-vitiligo

properties. It has cytoprotective and antioxidant properties and contains a variety of

valuable multi vitamins and beneficial elements. These include vitamin C, lutein, B-

vitamin thiamine, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, cobalt, zinc, and chromium. It also

contains alkaloids such as resin, tannins, berberine, and oxyacanthine. You can use it

by simply rubbing on the affected areas.

Leadwort root

Make a fine paste out of leadwort root and water. Apply this paste on the discolored

patches regularly for effective results.


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Celery

Celery is a plant widely considered useful by patients suffering from various skin

diseases, such as vitiligo. Its use as an anti-vitiligo agent maybe traced back to older

times and this association has been justified by new medical research as well.

Celery has a very high psoralen content, which makes it an ideal agent for treating

this condition. Psolaren is an extremely potent agent used to treat vitiligo since ages.

This compound, which is found abundantly in celery, stimulates the reaction between

the skin and sunlight as it has been told earlier in the first chapter. This reaction

produces melanin, which introduces pigmentation in the affected areas. These

treatments, which involve Psolaren and sunlight, are commonly referred to as

phototherapy treatments.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is perhaps the only oil that can be easily absorbed by the skin. It is used

all over the world to keep the skin soft. It is also resistant to rancidity, because it

oxidizes slowly. It also contains Vitamin E Alpha Tocopherol, which has renowned anti-

oxidant properties. Indeed, coconut oil is an effective substance for treating vitiligo. It

should be used twice daily: in the morning and before bed. Simply rub into the affected

areas.

Figure 11. Coconut Oil is rich in Vitamin E and is easily absorbed through the skin.


39

Black Cumin

These seeds are obtained from a plant called Nigella Sativa and are a good herbal

cure for vitiligo. They act by stimulating the melanocytes, which in turn activates

pigmentation in the discolored areas of the skin.

Copper Vessel

Copper is an extremely effective agent for promoting pigmentation of the discolored

areas. It does so by stimulating melanocyte in the affected patient's body. The

stimulation of melanocyte in turn produces melanin, which is responsible for our skin's

color. Take a copper vessel or container and fill it up with drinking water. Leave it

overnight and drink in on an empty stomach in the morning. You will have to do this

daily for six months in order to witness a considerable improvement in your skin

pigmentation. It is an effective and safe remedy that can be easily practiced at home.


40

2. Lifestyle Changes

Sunlight and Vitiligo

If the prescribed light sources are not readily available, patients of vitiligo can use

sunlight for therapeutic purposes. Some medical specialists allow vitiligo patients to use

topical steroids or Elidel with sunlight, while others are strictly against this practice. A

special form of PUVA, known as PUVA-Sol, contains psolaren and is used with sunlight

instead of artificial UV light sources. Extreme caution must be exercised during this

therapy because excessive exposure may burn the skin and even trigger the vitiligo

patches to spread further. If you are going for the sun treatment, it is necessary to start

off with small doses of sunlight and build up the exposure time gradually. If all goes well,

you will observe that your discolored patches will turn pink after exposure to sunlight;

make sure that the end color is pink, not red. Overtime, the skin becomes used to the

sunlight and this pink skin is achieved after longer intervals of sun exposure. You need

to be consistent with this practice in order to achieve the desired effects.

According to a study by Swedish researchers, taking an oral supplement of vitamin

B12 and folate greatly enhances the effects of sunlight at re-pigimenting the skin. The

recommended dose of these vitamins is 1mg vitamin B12 twice daily and 5mg folic acid

twice daily.

Figure 12. Vitamin B12 and folic acid can greatly enhance the re-pigmentation of the skin on exposure to sunlight, report

Swedish researchers.


41

Keep in mind that it is safer to use NB-UVB over sunlight. This is because sunlight

contains UVA rays, instead of UVB rays, and the former penetrate more deeply within

the skin. According to recent research, because of this effect, UVA rays damage inner

layers of the skin and contribute to loss in skin elasticity, melanoma, spotting and

wrinkling. On the other hand, UVB rays cause skin burns due to which they are also

known as burning rays. The NB-UVB band of rays has the ability to achieve the required

therapeutic effect in a few minutes. This gives it an edge over sunlight, which requires

more exposure time to potentially harmful rays.

It has been observed that people with autoimmune diseases have low vitamin D

levels. Exposure to sunlight can build up vitamin D levels in the body as well.

Use Sunscreen

If you are suffering from vitiligo, use a sunscreen with an SPF [sun protection factor]

of at least 30 before going out in the sun. This will protect your skin from the harmful

UVA and UVB rays. Moreover, it also prevents long-term skin damage, minimizes

tanning, and protects your skin from sunburns. Because of all these factors, the contrast

between your normal and vitiligo-affected skin becomes less prominent.

Use Concealing Cosmetics

These cosmetics will decrease the prominence of your white patches, especially if

they are on the visible and exposed part of your skin. Tanning products that do not

require exposure to the sun, may be used to add color to the vitiligo-affected areas as

well. This color present in this product does not wash off, but you will have to apply if

after some days since it sheds off with the dead skin cells. Try several products and

eventually you will find concealing and tanning products that suit you best.


42

3. Diet and Food

Your eating habits also play an important role in determining your health situation

and skin. Our contemporary diet consists of many unhealthy components such as fast

food, tinned food, alcohol, and fizzy drinks that contribute to health problems such as

heart disease, increased cholesterol levels, obesity, and diabetes. Moreover, skin

diseases such as vitiligo, eczema, and acne have spiked up since the addition of these

components in our diet. As a result, scientists are trying to establish a link between our

eating habits and prevalent skin disorders.

Vitiligo is a stubborn disease that takes its toll on a person. The medical treatments

prescribed for this disease are effective over a very long period, and it is very important

not to let the condition aggravate further. An unhealthy diet may cause the condition to

deteriorate, and it is therefore essential for the patient to consume a healthy diet. If

there is anything in your diet that may worsen the condition, it is best to avoid it

altogether even if you are undergoing treatment for your condition.

Make up a healthy diet plan and cut down on all foods that are considered

unhealthy. There are some food components that are very healthy and should be

consumed more. If you are suffering from vitiligo, it is time to formulate a healthy diet

plan.

According to research, the following components are healthy and should be a part of

every vitiligo patient's diet:

� Pulses and Legumes

o Include chickpeas in your diet.

� Protein

o Include vegetable proteins, such as soya beans, in your diet.

� Oils and fats

o Take vegetable oils like Olive oil

� Vegetables


43

o These include cabbage, carrots, beetroots, spinach, broccoli, brussel

sprouts, and green leaves.

� Fruits

o Important fruits in this matter are black dates, apricots, peaches, bananas,

mangoes, and apples.

� Grains

o Take porridge and whole wheat eatables over pasta, which is a form of

highly refined carbohydrates.

� Nuts

o Contain good fats and vitamin E, which are good for your skin.

� Fluids and water

o Hydrate yourself and make sure that your body's water composition is up

to an optimum level.

Foods to Avoid

Here are some foods that you should avoid:

� According to herbalists, vitiligo patients should limit consuming non-vegetarian

foods as they inadvertently halt a person's autoimmune process and are very

antigenic. However, you should try to eat fish (especially oily fish such as

salmon, mackerel and fresh tuna) twice weekly as these are a source of the

healthy omega 3 fatty acids.

� Cut down your alcohol consumption and avoid fizzy, flavored drinks.

� Try to avoid chocolates and ice cream as well.

� Do not consume junk food and limit spicy food.

� Avoid foods high in saturated fatty acids, mainly processed meats, fatty meats,

butter, full-fat dairy products, and pastries.

� Blueberries should be avoided by vitiligo patients. These contain a naturally-

occurring substance called Hydroquinone that inhibits pigment production by the

pigment-producing cells.


44

4. Vitiligo and Vitamins

It has been suggested that a deficiency of certain nutrients may be a cause of

vitiligo, and a great deal of research is underway in this area. Some studies show that

there is a possibility that the lack of pigmentation resulting from vitiligo maybe reversed

by consuming vitamins and trace elements, which are deficient in the body. Vitamins

are organic constituents crucial for cellular metabolism. The body cannot synthesize

these, but they play a very important role in ensuring that our body's vital functions are

well underway. There are two main categories of vitamins: water soluble and fat [lipid]

soluble vitamins.

Other than vitamins, there are other food elements that can help with treating vitiligo

as well. Pro-vitamins are dormant precursors of vitamins which may be converted into

the latter through exposure to the right external conditions. These conditions include

enzyme action and UV radiations. In recent years, important vitamins such as folic acid,

vitamin B12, vitamin D, and ascorbic acid have been included in the treatment of vitiligo,

either as separate agents or as a part of the phototherapy treatment.

An experiment was carried out in 1992, in which 15 patients of vitiligo were identified

with extremely low levels of folic acid and vitamin B12. These patients were given

supplements of vitamin C, vitamin B12, and folic acid for three years and there condition

was observed. In about three weeks, the skin condition stopped spreading further.

Moreover, by the end of the second year, more that 80 percent of the subjects

underwent a massive repigmentation process merely through the consumption of these

vitamins. Under guidance by a doctor, try supplementing with 1 gram of vitamin C daily,

10mg of folic acid daily, and 2mg of B12 daily. You should see results in three weeks.

In addition, a 1997 study demonstrated that combining oral supplements of vitamin

B12 and folic acid (1mg B12 twice daily and 5mg folic acid twice daily) with sunlight

exposure is very effective at regimenting the skin.


45

Here is a list of important water soluble and fat soluble vitamins:

Water Soluble

�� Thiamine [B 1]

�� Riboflavin [B2]

�� Nicotinamide [PP]

�� Pantothenic Acid

�� Pyridoxine [B6]

�� Biotin

�� Folic acid

�� Cobalamin [B12]

�� Ascorbic acid [C]

Fat Soluble

� Retinol [A]

� Vitamin D

� Alpha-Tocopherol [E]

� Vitamin K


46

5. Homeopathic Treatments for Vitiligo

Besides treatments mentioned above, there are many homeopathic alternatives

available for curing vitiligo. These treatments consist of some basic compounds that

help alleviate this condition. The objective of their mentioning here as alternative

treatment is that homeopathy has been proving highly effective in several cases, having

no side effects at all.

In this section, we will discuss these different elements and their underlying effects.

Arsenicum Sulfuratum Flavum

This is a compound specifically used in the homeopathic treatment of vitiligo. It

promotes the re-pigmentation of the pale or white patches of skin that are left behind by

vitiligo. It is also used to treat other skin conditions. These include eczematous lesions,

which are moist skin patches that itch very severely and are accompanied by a

corrosive discharge. Other skin problems that are treated with this chemical are

pyoderma, catarrhal affections and urticaria. It is also used to alleviate asthma.

Syphilinum

Syphilinum is a very potent polycrest homeopathic treatment that leaves a deep

positive impact of numerous systems of the human body. It belongs to a certain circle of

homeopathic therapies called Nosodes. Nosodes are therapies specifically prepared for

infected tissues.

Syphilinum is a useful substance that leaves a good impact on a person's gastric

system, genitor urinary system, sensorium, mind, skin, nerves, and bones. It is also

useful in warding off inherent syphilis [sexually transmitted infection] developing

tendencies in patients.

Due to its positive effects on the skin, it is used to treat vitiligo, recurrent abscesses,

osteomyelitis, trigeminal neuralgia, and rheumatic complaints. It is also used to combat

alcohol dependency and other illnesses that are deep rooted and destructive in nature.


47

Kali Carbonicum

Kali Carbonicum is an extremely potent substance widely used in homeopathic

treatments. It has a positive impact on your digestive system, lungs, heart, kidney, liver,

the female reproductive system, and, of course, on the skin. Due to its advantageous

effects, it is commonly used in the treatment of conditions such as vitiligo, eczema,

warts, excessive hair loss, trigeminal neuralgia, sciatica, urticaria, very heavy menstrual

bleeding, lower back ache and hypothyroidism.

A lot of these diseases are skin related but this isn't where the positive effects of Kali

Carbonicum end. It also leaves a positive impact on the patients suffering from asthma,

tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchitis, hydrothorax, acidity, piles, jaundice, gastritis, etc.

Apart from alleviating physical conditions, it is also used to tackle illnesses of a

mental nature as well. Stress and anxiety are two problems in which this substance is

not only highly recommended, but is widely used as well.

Silicea [Silica]

Silica is another element used in making homeopathic therapies effective for several

diseases including vitiligo. This is because silica leaves a lasting impact on many

important components of the human body like other homeopathic compounds. These

include the bones and joints, the digestive system, glands, lungs, nerves, cellular

tissues, mucous membranes, and the skin.

Due to its widespread effects, silica is often used in formulating medicines of

conditions such as eczema, vitiligo, lichen planus, complaints of nails, tonsillitis, herpes,

urticaria, tuberculosis, styes and chalazion, trigeminal neuralgia, asthmatic bronchitis,

and pneumonia. Patients who have silica deficiency in their bodies are prone to skin

injuries. It is also included in the diet of children suffering rickets.

Nitricum Acidum

This is an effective remedy for suffering nerves, glands, skin, bones, and

gastrointestinal tract. Nitricum Acidum is a popular ingredient used in homeopathic

remedies nowadays.


48

It is commonly used in making tinctures for treating vitiligo. Besides this, it is also

used to treat other conditions such as ulcers, warts, fissures, hemorrhoids, cachexia,

malignancy, bony and rheumatic infections, and gastritis.

Carcinosin

Carcinosin is also a very powerful drug that leaves a positive influence on a variety

of systems and organs present in the human body. These include the lungs, heart,

bones, joints, skin, nerves, and the human mind. Due to its widespread effects, it is an

essential ingredient of many homeopathic treatments pertaining to diseases such as

vitiligo, lichen planus, urticaria, chalazion, styes, asthma, neuralgia, hair loss, and many

others. In homeopathy, there is a widely held belief that a person's genetic makeup or

inherent susceptibility to a certain disease plays an important role in determining if a

person is affected by it or not. Carcinosin is a very effective remedial agent, which is

used to attack the base of these diseases at a genetic tendency level.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is an important element used for remedial treatment of vitiligo in

homeapathy. It mainly acts on the gastric tract, blood, hepato-biliary system, skin,

kidneys, lungs, nervous system, and bones and combats diseases associated with

these body parts. Due to its widespread effect, it is used to make therapeutic

homeopathic treatments of a wide range of diseases. These include vitiligom nephritic

syndrome, cirrhosis, hair loss, hepatitis, hemorrhagic tendency, osteomalaycia,

paralysis, and respiratory diseases.

Vitiligo has very prominent symptoms. These include uneven discoloration of the

skin which leaves behind white patches. Phosphorus is a good option for this disease

and others that cause itching and burning of the skin, such as psoriasis and urticaria. It

is also used to cater to hemorrhagic spots that emerge on the skin.


49

Hydrocotyle Asiatica

This compound is an ingredient of some of the best treatments of vitiligo. It

stimulates the pigmentation process, due to which it doesn't only stall vitiligo but

reverses the process. It is also used to treat other skin diseases such as leprosy, lupus,

acne, psoriasis, and many other diseases that leave the skin in a bad condition.

This compound is usually used along with other medicines, which have a deep effect

for maximum effectiveness.

Natrum Muriaticum

Natrum Muriaticum is a very interesting homeopathic solution of vitiligo. This is

because it is made up of a very common food substance that is readily available in

every household's kitchen: salt or sodium chloride. This homeopathic remedy has a very

wide scope of action and is hence used to treat a variety of diseases. These include

illnesses affecting the gastrointestinal organs, nose, lungs, skin, kidneys, the metabolic

system, muscles, head, and the hormonal system.

Figure 13. Natrum Muriaticum.


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6. Ayurvedic Treatment for Vitiligo

In the field of Ayurveda, vitiligo is commonly referred to as Kilaas or Shwitra.

According to early ayurvedic texts, Kilaas is not contagious and is not accompanied by

any other symptoms unlike other skin related diseases.

There are many Ayurvedic medicines useful for treating vitiligo. These include:

i. Arogya Vardhini

ii. Trivanga Bhasma

iii. Mahamanjishthadi Qadha

iv. Khadirarishta

v. Krumikuthar Rasa

vi. Krumimudgar Rasa

vii. Saarivasav

viii. Rasa Manikya

Some other medicines that are useful for this condition are given below.

i. Manjishtha [Rubia cordifolia]

ii. Saariva [Hemidesmus indicus]

iii. Triphala [Three fruits]

iv. Haridra [Curcuma longa]

v. Daruharidra [Berberis aristata]

vi. Khadir [Acacia catechu]

vii. Vidanga [Embilia ribes]

viii. Bavachi [Psoralia corylifolia]

The most popular is Bavachi. It is widely used in making ayurvedic vitiligo

treatments. It is usually applied in oil or paste form and once it is applied, the affected

skin is exposed to mild sunlight. It is also available in powder of tablet form for oral

consumption. Many physicians prescribe a varying dose of this herb. They increase the

dose steadily for a few weeks, and then decrease gradually over time.


51

Other useful herbs in Ayurvedic treatments are:

• Brahmi

• Jatamansi

• Vacha

• Shankhpushpi

• Ashwagandha

• Shatavari

• Yashtimadhuk

Note:

Most of Ayurvedic herbs are used alone. However, some can be used mixed with

others. The beauty of Ayurvedic treatment is that it has not side effects. Almost all herbs

are easily available in the fields and forests and even in the market.


52

Part 3

Preventive Measures

Prevention is always better than cure in any type of disease. If your skin is prone to

develop vitiligo, there are a lot of prevention techniques available that can help you

combat this disease We are not suggesting that you quit your medicines; rather you

should supplement your medicines with these preventive techniques to amplify their

effects. Some of these preventions have been suggested with home remedies.

However, as they were specific about that particular tip, here they have been mentioned

comprehensively.

In this modern age of technical advancement, it has become easy to fight of vitiligo

with prevention measures. This is because there are a lot of herbal products and

treatments readily available in the market for this condition; one doesn't need to go

through the tiresome process of preparing preventive tinctures at home. Despite this,

some local herbs and ointments work wonders and their use is recommended in the

previous section. Others is about food and change in lifestyle and what-not-to-do.

Vitiligo can severely affect your physical as well as mental health due to which it is

necessary to incorporate relevant precautionary measures in your routine to address

this problem. We have discussed these measures, which will help saving you from the

social trauma associated with vitiligo. Furthermore, these techniques will help you

combat your inherent tendency for the disease. The most popular and significant

measures in this category are as follows:

� Avoid conditions and circumstances conducive for skin disorder, such as over-

exposure to the sun.

� Increase your intake of important multi-vitamins such as Vitamin E, Vitamin D,

Folic Acid, and B Complex. This will help you with your vitiligo situation.


53

� In order to improve the color of your skin, use effective ointments such as

cortisone ointments, tacrolimus ointments and ascorbic acid.

If you haven't developed this skin condition but are looking for ways to nip it in the

bud, here are some other effective prevention techniques that you can use:

� Avoid food that is too sour

� Do not wear synthetic clothes

� Try to keep your immunity level as high as possible

� Remember that the disease is not contagious

� If you come across a discolored patch, get it examined no matter how small it is

� Do not apply random tropical medications on your skin without consulting a

medical specialist

� Do not take steroids

Remember that if you incorporate these measures in your life, you will be able to

elude vitiligo completely. This is because your health is a reflection of your diet and

these prevention techniques focus on your diet. Therefore, it is very important to ensure

that you are taking the right vitamin supplements and eating right. This will in turn

ensure that you don't suffer from any deficiencies which in turn might contribute to many

physical and mental illnesses.

Some More Prevention Tips

Here are a few prevention points that you should keep in your mind if you are

concerned about vitiligo. If you incorporate these points in your daily routine, you will

experience an overall positive effect on your physical as well as mental health:

� Try to strike a balance between different spheres of your life, such as work and

leisure. Try to stay in an upbeat mood and avoid stress. Avoid stress also keep

you away from several other severe ailments besides vitiligo.

� Include more bean products in your daily diet. Popular bean products that you

can use include black beans, peanuts, shellfish, black sesame, turtles, cuttlefish,


54

kelp, eggplant, celery, sea cucumbers, leeks, and portulaca. People who usually

eat these foods are able to evade vitiligo completely.

� Indulge in loads of physical exercise. This will in turn increase your body's overall

energy level and promote your body's regeneration and recycling abilities.

� Try to relax as much as possible and avoid situations that involve excessive

mental stimulation, fatigue and tension.

� Make sure that the clothes that you wear aren't too tight, especially your

underwear. Wear loose clothes that are made up of a light material such as

cotton. Perhaps ancient people's use of natural cotton clothes saved them from

this pernicious disease.

� Avoid rubbing your skin too much. Try to avoid any activities that oppress your

skin and cause friction.

� Avoid coming in contact with phenolic compounds. These include substances

such as monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone.

� Don't expose yourself to direct sunlight for long intervals of time.

� If you have a certain skin disease, such as dermatitis or irritation due to insect

bite, treat it as soon as possible.

� Do not use medicines that contain ingredients which may irritate your skin.


55

Chapter 4. Choosing a Treatment Option

In this book I provide you with a wide range of treatment options that have all been

shown to work. The reason why so many are given is that everyone is different

genetically, and not everyone will respond to the same treatment in the same way.

Therefore, by giving you a number of options, if one treatment doesn't work, you can try

another one.

That being said, by far the most effective treatment protocol of all (works in about

95% of the patients), is the following supplementation regimen + red clay + coconut oil

application, combined with the lifestyle and dietary changes mentioned in Chapter 3

Part 2:

A) Topical Application:

• Red Clay

Mix red clay with ginger juice (mixing ratio of 1:1). Apply to the affected skin once

daily and leave on the skin for 15 to 20 minutes.

• Coconut Oil

Rub into the affected areas twice daily: in the morning and before bed.

B) Oral Supplementation

• Ginkgo Biloba - 40 mg three times daily (take each dose about 10 minutes

before meals)

• Vitamin C - 1 g daily

• Vitamin B12 - 0.5mg (500mcg) twice daily

• Folic Acid - 1.2mg (1200mcg) twice daily


56

Vitamin C doses can be taken at any time during the day; it does not make a

difference if you take this vitamin with meals or not.

Vitamin B12 and Folic acid doses should be taken WITH meals or just after a meal.

Ginkgo biloba has been proven to be effective at stopping the spreading of vitiligo

immediately, because it restores circulation to the melanocytes. Vitamin C, Vitamin B12

and Folic Acid are three water-soluble vitamins that have been proven time and time

again to be extremely efficacious at re-pigmenting affected areas. You may notice that

the dosage recommended for these vitamins is much higher than the average

recommended daily dose. However, several peer-reviewed medical publications (such

as the July 1992 issue of Cutis: Cutaneous Medicine for the Practitioner and the

November 1997 issue of Acta Dermato-Venereologica) have identified that high doses

of these vitamins are best for re-pigmentation; they are also the doses I recommend to

all my patients.

As these are water-soluble vitamins, there is no danger of toxic accumulation in the

body. Obviously, you should always check with your doctor before starting a new

supplement. Children should use lower doses depending on their age and body weight:

their doctor will be able to recommend the appropriate adjusted dose.

All the vitamins and remedies mentioned in this book are readily available at health

and beauty stores. Alternatively, you can order them online and have them delivered to

your door, e.g. on

http://www.amazon.com/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&tag=vitilig0-20


57

Glossary of Important Terms

1. Adrenal gland: It is a pair of small glands, each on sits on top of one of the

kidneys.

2. Anemia: The condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells

or less hemoglobin in the blood.

3. Arthritis: Inflammation of the joints.

4. Autoantibody: An antibody directed against the patient's own body tissue.

5. Autoimmune: Pertaining to autoimmunity, a misdirected immune response that

occurs when the immune system is destroyed.

6. Autoimmune disease: An illness that occurs when immune system attacks the

body tissues.

7. Biopsy: The removal of a sample of tissue for diagnosis.

8. Blister: A collection of fluid under the top layer of skin called epidermis.

9. Cortisone: An adrenocorticoid hormone made and secreted by the adrenal

cortex, the outer cortex of the adrenal gland.

10. Depigmentation: Loss of color from the skin, mucous membranes, hair, or retina

of the eye.

11. Dermatology: The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment,

and prevention of diseases of the skin, hair, nails etc.

12. Family history: The family structure and relationships within the family, including

information about diseases in family members.

13. Gastrointestinal: Referring collectively to the stomach and small and large

intestines.


58

14. Gene: The basic biological unit of heredity.

15. Genital: Pertaining to the external and internal organs of reproduction.

16. Hormone: A chemical substance produced in the body to control and regulate

the activity of certain cells.

17. Hyperpigmentation: Dark spots on the skin.

18. Immune: Protected against infection.

19. Immune response: Any reaction by the immune system.

20. Immune system: A complex system responsible for distinguishing us from

everything foreign to us, and protecting us against infections.

21. Inflammation: When body reacts to infection, irritation or other injury, the key

feature being redness, warmth, swelling and pain.

22. Itching: An uncomfortable sensation in the skin.

23. Melanocyte: A pigment-producing cell in the skin, hair and eye.

24. Mucous: Pertaining to mucus, a thick fluid produced by the lining of some

tissues of the body.

25. Pigmentation: The coloring of the skin, hair, mucous membranes etc.

26. Psoralen: A number of drugs and other substances containing chemicals that

react with ultraviolet light to cause darkening of the skin.

27. PUVA: PUVA stands for psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy in which the patient is

exposed first to psoralens and then to UVA light.

28. Sunscreen: A substance that blocks the effect of the sun's harmful rays.

29. Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]:A chronic disease with many symptoms,

including weakness, fatigue, joint pain, sores on the skin, and problems with the

kidneys, spleen, and other organs.

30. Striae: A longitudinal collection of nerve fibers in the brain.

31. Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea of the eye .


59

Bibliography and References

Scientific Research Papers

1. Bedi KL, Zutshi U, Chopra CL et al (1989). Picrorhiza kurroa, an ayurvedic herb,

may potentiate photochemotherapy in vitiligo. J Etnopharmacol 27: 347–352

2. Behl PN (1964) Treatment of vitiligo with homologous thin Thiersch skin grafts.

Curr Med Pract 8:218–221

3. Behl PN, Arora RB, Srivastava G (1992) Traditional Indian dermatology.

Concepts of past and present. Skin Institute and School of Dermatology, New

Delhi, pp 62–72

4. Chanco-Turner ML, Lerner AB (1965) Physiologic changes in vitiligo. Arch

Dermatol 91:190–196

5. Falabella R, Escobar C, Borrero I (1992) Treatment of refractory and stable

vitiligo by transplantation of in vitro cultured epidermal autografts bearing

melanocytes. J Am Acad Dermatol 26(2 Pt 1):230–236

6. Falabella R, Arrunategui A, Barona MI, Alzate A: The minigrafting test for vitiligo:

detection of stable lesions for melanocyte transplantation. J Am Acad Dermatol

1995; 32:228-232.

7. Jeon S, Kim NH, Koo BS, et al (2007). Bee venom stimulates human melanocyte

proliferation, melanogenesis, dendriticity and migration. Exp Mol Med 39: 603–

613

8. Jin QX, Wj M, Zs D et al (1983). Clinical efficacy observation of combined

treatment with Chinese traditional medicine and western medicine for 407 cases

of vitiligo. 12: 9–11

9. Juhlin L and Olsson MJ (1997). Improvement of vitiligo after oral treatment with

vitamin B12 and folic acid and the importance of sun exposure.Acta Derm

Venereol Suppl (Stockh) 77: 460-462.


60

10. Khemis A, Ortonne JP (2004). Comparative study of vegetable extracts

possessing active superoxide dismutase and catalase (Vitix) plus selective UVB

phototherapy versus an excipient plus selective UVB phototherapy in the

treatment of common vitiligo. Nouvelles Dermatologiques 23: 45–46

11. Koga M (1977) Vitiligo: a new classification and therapy. Br J Dermatol 97:255–

261

12. Le Poole IC, van den Wijngaard R, Westerhof W, Dutrieux RP, Das PK: Loss of

melanocytes in vitiligo lesions. J Invest Dermatol 1992; 98:541

13. Nair BK (1978) Vitiligo: a retrospect. Int J Dermatol 17:755–757

14. Najamabadi M (1934) Tarikh -e- Tibbe-Iran, Vol I, Shamsi, Teheran, Iran

15. Njoo MD (2000) Treatment of vitiligo. Thela Thesis,Amsterdam, pp 17–20

16. Njoo M, Spuls PI, Bos J, et al (1998) Non-surgical repigmentation therapies in

vitiligo. Arch Dermatol 134:1532–1540

17. Pathak M, Fitzpatrick TB (1992) The evolution of photochemotherapy with

psoralens and UVA (PUVA) 2000 BC to

18. Sidi E, Bourgeois-Gavardin XX (1952) The treatment of vitiligo with Ammi Majus

Linn. J Invest Dermatol 18:391–396

19. Szczurko O, Shear, N, Taddio A et al (2011) Ginkgo biloba for the treatment of

vitilgo vulgaris: an open label pilot clinical trial. BMC Complement Altern Med 11:

21.

20. Westerhof W, Nieuweboer-Krobotova L: Treatment of vitiligo with UV-B radiation

vs topical psoralen plus UV-A. Arch Dermatol 1997; 133:1525-1528

21. Zailaie MZ (2004a). Short- and long-term effects of acetylsalicylic acid treatment

on the proliferation and lipid peroxidation of skin cultured melanocytes of active

vitiligo. Saudi Med J 25: 1656–1663

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25: 1439–1444


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Websites Consulted During Research

1. Anonymous. Vitiligo Diet. n.d. http://www.ayurhealthline.com/Vitiligo-Diet.html

2. —. Vitiligo Herbal Treatment. n.d. http://www.ezvitiligotreatment.com/vitiligo-

herbal-treatment.php

3. —. Vitiligo Home Remdeis. n.d. http://www.vitiligoguide.com/vitiligo-home-

remedies/

4. Babu, Hanis. How is Vitiligo Diagnosed? July 5, 2009.

http://hanishbabu.suite101.com/how-is-vitiligo-diagnosed-a129854

5. Conrad, Melissa. Vitiligo. n.d. http://www.medicinenet.com/vitiligo/article.htm

6. LaurieB. Vitamins. May 26, 2011. http://www.livestrong.com/article/364764-

nutrition-vitamins-for-vitiligo/

7. Ray Sahelian, M.D. Vitiligo treatment, supplements, herbs, vitamins, treatment

with alternative and natural therapy and remedy. n.d.

www.raysahelian.com/vitiligo.html

8. Sharma, Dr Vikram. Homeaphatic Treatment. n.d.

http://www.drhomeo.com/homeopathy-for-skin/vitiligo-its-homeopathic-

treatment/#.T7_CxMXpWME

9. Srivastava, Dr Ravi Kant. Vitiligo Ayuveradic Treatment. n.d. http://ayurveda-

foryou.com/treat/leucoderma.html

10. Zhang, Dr Enquin. Chinese Treatment. n.d.

http://www.tcmtreatment.com/images/diseases/vitiligo.htm


62

Index

A

Acacia, 34, 50

achromatic, 15

Acro-facial, 12

anesthetic, 18

Aspiration, 18

asymmetric, 10, 12

autoimmune disease, 8

Ayurvedic medicines,

30, 50

Ayurvedic Treatment, 50

B

bacterial infection, 17

Barberry Root, 37

Basil Leaves, 33

bilateral vitiligo, 10

Black Cumin, 39

C

Celery, 38

Coconut oil, 38

color, 8, 9, 19, 20, 21,

25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 53,

55

Copper, 39

Corylifolia, 32, 37

Cosmetics, 41

D

depigmentation, 10, 15,

20, 23

dermatologist, 14, 22

dermatomal, 10

Duckweed, 31

dysfunction, 9

E

environment, 8

excision biopsy, 17

F

Figs, 36

Fluorescence, 16

Focal, 12

fungal, 17

G

genetic, 8, 9, 14, 48

Genitals, 9

Ginger, 35

Ginkgo Biloba, 35

Gooseberry, 34

Goosefoot, 30

Grafting, 23, 24

Gram, 34

H

Herbal, 29, 59

Homeopathic, 46

hyperthyroidism, 9

I

Inflammatory, 13

K

Khella, 33

L

laser, 22, 24

Leadwort, 37

Legumes, 42

Lilac, 37

Lime Juice, 33

M

melanocytes, 8, 9, 17,

23, 24, 25, 27, 39, 57,

58

Melanocytes, 9, 24, 25

Methoxsalen Oral, 27

Methoxsalen Top, 27

microscope, 17

Monobenzone, 26

Mucosal, 12

mucous membranes, 8,

12, 47, 55, 56

N

Neem, 36


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Negative Effects, 25, 26

O

Occupational, 12

Oxsoralen Top, 28

P

Pentachrome, 15

pernicious anemia, 15

Phosphorus, 48

phototherapy, 20, 38,

44, 58

Physical trauma, 14

pigmentation, 8, 9, 13,

15, 16, 19, 24, 25, 27,

28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35,

38, 39, 44, 46, 49

Plus Ultraviolet, 20

Pomegranate, 34

Protein, 42

punch biopsy, 17

Punctate, 13

PUVA, 20, 21, 24, 25,

40, 56, 58

Q

Quadr, 15

Quadrichrome, 13

quasidermatomal, 10

R

radish seeds, 29

Red Clay, 29

S

Silica, 47

Skin Biopsy, 17

skin disease, 8, 54

sour, 43, 53

steroids, 40, 53

Suction Blister, 24

Sunlight, 40

Sunscreen, 41, 56

Surgical Therapies, 23

symmetric, 10, 12

symptoms, 9, 10, 15, 48,

50, 56

T

Topical Corticosteroid,

19

Topical

Immunomodulators,

20

Transplant, 24

Turmeric, 30

U

Universal, 12

UVA, 16, 20, 21, 27, 28,

41, 56, 58

UVB, 20, 21, 22, 25, 41,

58

Uveitus, 15

V

Vitamins, 44, 59

Vulgaris, 12

W

Walnuts, 37

Y

yogurt, 43

Z

Zostiform, 13

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