Vitiligo is believed to be an immune mediate disorder affecting skin.

It is characterized by depigmented spots with sharp well defined margins bilateral in most of the cases , usually patches appears on exposed parts, extremities, body orifices, most common sites involved are hand, wrist, lips, face, feet, umbilicus, eye lids, nostrils mucosa of nose eye and mouth are also involved.

PATHOGENESIS and GENETICS

Its cause is not known,  but it’s believed to be multifactorial disease which is genetically predisposed and triggered by Environmental factors. It is frequently accompanied by other autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematoses, pernicious anaemia, alopecia areata etc.It is a non infectious condition. A strong hereditary association is noted.

Tyrosinase the enzyme of melanocyte expressed by TYR gene which is not the component of immune system but catalyzes melanin synthesis and is a major autoantigen in generalised vitiligo. A genomewide dtudy have found around 36 loci associated with succeptibility towards generalised vitiligo, its usually due to defect in genes related to melanocytes or immune system , its doubted that there might be some autoimmune response towards melanocytes.

SYMPTOMS AND CLASSIFICATION

It can be classified into segmental and nonsegmental types

In nonsegmental type the depigmentation appear somewhat symetrical and bilateral and usually grow with time and also appears in new areas with somewhat symetrical pattern it can start at any age and can grow to generalised or universalis where very few normal pigmented patches are left behind.

It is further categorised into

Vitiligo Universalis depigmented patches cover almost whole body with very few patches of normal pigmented patches are left behind , Micheal Jackson suffered from this type.

Generalised Vitiligo depigmented patches scattered throughout the body in somewhat symeterical fashion.

Focal Vitiligo one or few small patches in an area, commonly found in children.

Acrofacial vitiligo only fingers and periorificial areas involved

Mucosal Vitiligo only mucosal membranes involved

Segmental type usually affects segments of skin supplied by dorsal root from spinal cord. its usually nonsymetrical and unilateral, it is less frewuently associated with other autoimmune disorders as compared to segmental type, it usually is stable and static and does not grow much in size eith time.

DIAGNOSIS

When patches of affected skin are exposed to UV-A light it glows blue and the normal unaffected skin shows no reaction

Biopsy helps in confirmation of diagnosis

MEDICINES FOR VITILIGO IN HOMEOPATHY

BELOW MEDICINES ARE ONLY FOR QUICK REFERENCE AND THERAPUTIC HINTS.

ITS ALWAYS RECOMENDED TO TREAT SUCH AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS CONSTITUTIONALY, AFTER PROPER REPERTORISATION AND HOMEOPATHICALLY INDIVIDUALISED SIMILIMUM REMEDY SELECTION.

THE ABOVE MENTIONED CASE WAS TREATED WITH SINGLE SIMILIMUM DOSE FOLLOWED BY PLACEBO TILL DATE AND IT KEPT ON IMPROVING.

PSORALEA CORYLIFOLIA

Psoralea corylifolia used not only in homeopathy but also is an important plant in Ayurvedic system of medicone. The seeds have a variety of traditional medicinal uses. Psoralea corylifolia is used in Homoeopathy and other system of medicines.
Psoralea corylifolia mother tincture is used therapeutically for various kinds of disorders. Psoralea corylifolia is a vedy valuable remedy in case of Vitiligo. It has a poweful action on the skin as it causes dilatation of arterioles of body leading to pigment formation which diffuses into discolorized leucodermic patches. It contains enormous biological values and is been used to treat various skin diseases from a long time like vitiligo, psoriasis, eczema. Psoralea corylifolia consists main components psoralen and iso psoralen thus it has antibacterial and anti viral properties. Psoralea corylifolea were used thousands of years ago in India for repigmentation of skin in vitiligo patients.

AMMI VISNAGO

Ammi visnago is a natural substance used since a long time in herbal medicine. Ammi visnago is extracted from a plant in carrot family. Ammi visnago is a very beneficial remedy used in treatment of Vitiligo. Marked white patches are seen on the skin, it usually occurs when the melanocytes stop producing melanin. Usually the discoloration first shows on sun exposed areas such as hands, feet, arms, face, lips. Along with skin discoloration, there is permature greying of hair. Ammi visnago helps in repigmentation of vitiligo affected area.

IODIUM

Iodium is one of the indicated remedy in vitiligo. Usually presents with whitish discoloration of skin, whitish spots appear in patches. Melanocytes stop producing melanin, the pigment that gives color to skin, hair etc. Hence the involved patches become lighter. Iodium is usually suited to persons of scrofulous diathesis with dark black hair. Profound debility, great emaciation. Striking feature of iodium is eats ravenously yet emaciates.

ARS SULPH FLAVUM

ARS SULPH FLAVUM is one of the deep acting remedy which has very good results in case of vitiligo. The patient usually presents with discoloration of skin in patches that are pale white in colour. Ars sulph flavum is especially indicated when vitiligo is at the muco cutaneous junctions. Also indicated in other skin disorders such as eczema.

SULPHUR

Sulphur is a great general antipsoric remedy widely used for various kinds of skin diseases. It is often of great use in begining the treatment of any chronic diseases. Erruptions almost of every kind. Useful in case of vitiligo. Whitish discoloration of skin. Skin is usually dry, rough, wrinkled. Unhealthy skin. Every erruption presents with great itching, sometimes itching occurs even without any erruption. Burning is the most characteristic symptom of sulphur.