Leucoderma Ayurvedic Treatment - Diet & Lifestyle Tips

Leucoderma, also known as vitiligo, is a chronic skin condition that causes white patches on the skin. Many are turning towards Ayurveda for managing this disease with holistic diet and lifestyle tips.

What is Leucoderma?

Leucoderma or vitiligo, is a disease which causes the loss of skin colour in patches. These discoloured areas usually get bigger as the disease progresses. This condition can affect the skin on any part of the body, including hair and the inside of the mouth.

The colour of your skin and hair is determined by melanin, which is a natural pigment produced by the cells in your skin. Leucoderma occurs when cells that produce melanin stop functioning or die. While this condition affects people of all skin types, it may be more visible in people with brown or black skin. The condition in itself is not life-threatening or contagious, but it can be stressful or make a person feel bad about themselves.

Causes of Leucoderma

Leucoderma happens when melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) die or stop producing melanin. This causes the affected patches of skin to become lighter or white. While the exact reason why this happens is unclear, it may be related to:

• Disorder of the immune system
• Family history
• Trigger event, such as stress, severe sunburn or skin trauma

Signs and Symptoms of Leucoderma

Some of the common signs of Leucoderma are:

• Patchy loss of skin colour: This usually first appears on the hands, face and areas around body openings and genitals
• Premature whitening or greying of the hair: This includes hair on the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard
• Loss of colour in the tissues: This occurs inside the mouth and nose (in mucous membranes)
  Different Types of Leucoderma

The different types of leucoderma affect different parts of the body. These are:

Universal Leucoderma: In this condition, the discolouration affects nearly all skin surfaces.
Generalised Leucoderma: This is the most common type of leucoderma. It is characterised by discoloured patches that often progress similarly or symmetrically on corresponding body parts.
Segmental Leucoderma: This type tends to occur at a younger age, progresses for a year or two and then stops.
Localised or Focal Leucoderma: In this type, one or only a few areas of the body are affected.
Acrofacial Leucoderma: This condition affects the skin on the face and the hands, as well as skin around body openings such as the eyes, nose and ears.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Leucoderma

Ayurveda emphasises the importance of holistic treatment for the management of Leucoderma. This includes the usage of Ayurvedic herbs and Panchakarma therapies for the detoxification as well as rebalancing of the body’s energies to manage Leucoderma. Lifestyle as well as diet also play a crucial role in this holistic approach.

Lifestyle Modification for Managing Leucoderma

Exposure to sunlight in moderation: While moderate exposure to the sun is fine, overexposure or exposure to harsh sunlight can cause more damage. It is important to wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen every two hours to protect the skin.
Stress management: Chronic stress may also trigger leucoderma and make the condition worse. Practising yoga, meditation and pranayama are great ways to reduce stress and maintain peace of mind.
Physical activity: Physical activities such as walking, swimming and yoga help in improving circulation and bettering overall wellbeing.

Diet for Managing Leucoderma

• Consuming a balanced diet that is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and essential nutrients is important for the management of Leucoderma.
• Fruits and vegetables such as dark leafy greens, berries, citrus fruits and sweet potatoes are beneficial.
• Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, chia seeds and flax seeds provide the body with both strength as well as an abundance of nutrients.
• Vitamin B12 rich foods such as dairy products can help induce repigmentation in the body, and prevent homocysteine production, which impairs melanin synthesis
• Folic acid rich foods which contain vitamin B9, such as leafy greens, beans and peas as well as fruits like oranges, bananas and papaya.

The Way Forward

Following these lifestyle modifications and diet for managing Leucoderma will greatly benefit you in managing this condition. While Leucoderma may cause you to look different from others, it is in no way a disease that should cause you to doubt your own self-worth.

If you are looking for more guidance and tips on how to live a well-balanced and holistic life with Leucoderma, you can book a consultation with Jiva Ayurvedic specialists today.
Jiva Ayunique™ Treatment Philosophy offers holistic Ayurvedic treatment of Leucoderma using evidence-based Ayurveda and HACCP certified Ayurvedic medicines & diet plans. The treatment plans are customised to target the root cause of the disease by focusing on holistic healing, balance and stability in totality.
Book a consultation with Jiva today.