Vitiligo

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What Is Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder that occurs when the cells that produce melanin in the skin die or stop functioning. Any part of your body may be affected by Vitiligo, but depigmentation typically develops on sun-exposed areas. The white patches may begin on your face above your eyes or on your neck, armpits, elbows, genitalia, hands, or knees. The patches are often asymmetrical and can spread over your entire body.

Signs Of Vitiligo

The most common symptom is white blotches appearing on the skin. The extent and rate of color loss from Vitiligo is unpredictable. Less common signs include:

• Premature whitening or graying of hair on the scalp, eyelashes or beard

• Loss of color in the tissues that line the inside of your mouth

• Loss or change in color of the inner layer of your eye

What Causes Vitiligo

Causes of Vitiligo are unclear, but it may be related to a trigger event, such as sunburn, stress, or exposure to chemicals. As of now, an immune system disorder is though to be the most common cause. Other causes of the disorder can include:

Genetics
Sunburn
Stress
Immune disorder

Dherbs Approach...adjusting your diet is always key!

Natural Remedies

Limited studies show that the herb known as ginkgo biloba may return skin color in people with Vitiligo. Other small studies show that alpha-lipoic acid, folate, vitamin C and vitamin B-12 may also help with restoring skin tone. Vitamin B-12 is derived from animal (i.e., meat, fish, poultry, milk) sources, but vitamin B-12 deficiency in vegetarians can be prevented by the use of Vitamin B-12 supplements. Nasal spray and sublingual preparations of vitamin B-12 are also available.
Other studies have shown that people with Vitiligo are often deficient in certain vitamins, like vitamin D, copper, and zinc. These, along with others like CoQ10, vitamin E, sometimes vitamin C, and a high-quality multi-vitamin are prescribed by some doctors to help stabilize the immune system. Many of these nutrients can be found naturally in plant-based foods, so focusing on vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains may help to restore skin tone.
In addition to adding vitamins and minerals, such as zinc, copper, Vitamin C and Vitamin D, to your diet, stress management may be one of the most important treatments for those with Vitiligo. The immune system can negatively react to stress, and any effort to reduce stress is a crucial part in healing both the body and mind. To reduce stress, incorporate yoga, massage, meditation, breathing exercises, and regular exercise into your daily life.

Things you should eat