Ailments

Vitiligo (skin pigment loss)

Vitiligo are white spots, streaks and patches of skin and hair where normal pigmentation has been lost due to destruction of the pigment cells (melanocytes) in the skin. This means that no more melanin or pigment is made in these places.

Vitiligo is thought to be an autoimmune problem in which the body attacks its own pigment cells and kills them. There may be an underlying factor such as stress or illness in some people.

30% of people with this disorder have a family history of vitiligo, so genetics can be a reason. There is often a family or personal history of other connective tissue or endocrine disease also related to an immune problem such as alopecia areata, thyroid disease, diabetes, Addison’s disease (a disorder of the adrenal glands) and pernicious anaemia.

Vitiligo is a chronic disease and its course is variable. Most commonly, it comes on rapidly, followed by a period of stability or slow progression of the problem. In about 30% of cases, the affected skin may begin to re-pigment naturally in sun-exposed areas as melanocytes migrate in from surrounding normal skin or from deep in the hair follicles. Skin that recovers in this way or with treatment usually shows small dots of re-pigmentation around involved hair follicles.

The white patches usually appear symmetrically on both sides of the body. Vitiligo affects approximately 1 percent of the population. The condition is more common in dark-skinned people and, while noticeable in people with paler skin, it can be very distressing to people with darker complexions. It most often develops between the ages of ten and thirty.

Common sites for vitiligo include:

  • Exposed areas of the skin, such as the central face, fingers, hands, wrists and body folds
  • The mucous membranes and areas around moles are other commonly affected sites.
  • Sites of injury
  • The hair

The less common symptoms of vitiligo include:

  • Premature whitening or greying of the hair, eyelashes, eyebrows and beard.
  • Loss of colour of the mucous membranes lining the inside of the mouth.

NOTE: There can be changes in the colour of the retina.

It is important to avoid skin trauma as much as possible as cuts and abrasions can frequently be followed by vitiligo in the affected areas.

There are many remedies both internal and external that can help to reduce pigment loss and even regenerate pigmentation. Everyone reacts differently so try more than one until you find which can work for you personally.

Which nutrients are important when treating vitiligo?

A healthy balanced diet is vital and consuming natural foods rich in the following can provide the necessary nutrients to encourage re-pigmentation of the skin. For the natural food sources, follow the links below:

NOTE: The avidin found in egg whites can bind to vitamin B7 and cause a deficiency. Cut down on consumption of egg whites or add extra foods rich in vitamin B7 when egg white is are consumed.

The following minerals are also important for skin pigmentation.

NOTE: Zinc and the B vitamins are lost by drinking alcohol and through many medications.

Try to include as many different coloured plants foods per day as possible as each colour represents vital nutrients required to assist the body in producing pigment cells.

Natural foods to include in the diet to aid re-pigmentation

NOTE: Avoid turmeric if taking anticoagulants (blood thinning medication) or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as aspirin and ibuprofen or are in the first three months of pregnancy.

Internal natural remedies for vitiligo

Although there is no actual real cure for this disease, some natural remedies can improve the appearance of the skin and encourage re-pigmentation.

Aloe vera gel: This can be taken internally or used externally on areas of skin de-pigmentation to encourage pigment production. Cut open an aloe vera leaf and scrape out the gel. Either apply directly on the skin in the evening or mix with pure fruit juice to drink once a day or try both for one month.

Copper: regularly drinking water that has been stored in a copper vessel can provide nutrients that can help re-pigment the skin. This does take some time but can be effective. Make sure the water has been stored in the copper vessel for at least 24 hours.

Hemp seeds are a super food which has nigh nutritional content (rich in fatty acids, minerals and all essential amino acids and vitamin E) and has properties that can help to encourage re-pigmentation.

Margosa leaves and honey. Grind the washed margosa leaves in a blender. Take two teaspoons of this juice and mix it will 1 teaspoon of pure warmed honey. Drink the mixture 3 times a day for about a month.

Mulberries promote melanin production. Regular intake of mulberry and its juice applied directly to the skin and hair can rejuvenate the cells to produce pigmentation.

Psoralen seeds and dried ginger. Place the seeds and dried ginger in a grinder and grind into a smooth powder. Take a teaspoon of this powder and mix it with one glass of warm milk. Drink this milk every day for a month or two to see effective results.

Sepia is a brown melanin-containing pigment from the ink of cuttlefishes and can be useful in treating vitiligo.

Externa natural remedies for vitiligo

Apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher on a daily basis to all de-pigmented spots to protect the affected skin from sunburn and photo-aging. A sunblock containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide is preferable.

Areas of vitiligo no longer have any protective pigment, burn easily and are more susceptible to developing skin cancer. Do not avoid the sun completely though as it can also encourage re-pigmentation in some cases and the skin needs to be exposed to the sun for 15 minutes per day to enable the production of vitamin D

It is advisable to avoid the sun after some of the following external treatments which involve acidic remedies such as vinegar or lemon juice as this can burn the skin. In this case it is advisable to do the treatment in the evening after sundown.

Basil and lemon juice

  • Juice 5 to 6 lemons.
  • Add a teaspoon or two of the sweet basil leaves extract to the lemon juice and mix well.
  • Apply this mixture on the affected areas of the skin generously and leave it there for 15 minutes.
  • Wash with warm water and pat dry.
  • Repeat every evening before bed for 5 to 6 months.

Black seed, honey and/or pure cold pressed coconut oil.

  • Mix 250g of black seed oil with 250g of honey and/or coconut oil.
  • Apply to the skin and the roots of grey hair.

Ginger and red clay

  • Add fresh extracts of ginger juice to powdered red clay.
  • Mix this well and then apply to the affected areas once a day.
  • Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes then wash off and pat dry.
  • Repeat this process for 4 to 5 months

Gingko biloba and coconut oil

  • Make a paste using this herb with a little pure cold pressed coconut oil and apply daily before bed.

Mama cadela root

  • Boil the roots of the Mama cadela plant for about 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Strain and keep the liquid in the refrigerator.
  • Apply the liquid to the affected areas of the skin regularly every day to reduce the whiteness of the skin.

Psoralen seeds and tamarind

  • Soak about 25 grams of tamarind and about 2 teaspoons of psoralen seeds in water for a minimum of 4 days in a refrigerator.
  • Dry them and then grind it into a coarse paste with the same water.
  • Apply this paste on the white patches every day for a month.
  • Leave it there for 20 minutes and then wash it off.
  • Repeat daily once or twice to see a reduction in the white patches on the skin.

Psoralen seed powder, barberry root powder, black cumin and coconut oil.

  • Combine psoralen seed powder with barberry root powder, black cumin and coconut oil into a smooth paste.
  • Apply this mixture every day to the affected areas to see visible results after 4 to 5 months.

Radish seeds and apple cider vinegar

  • Crush or grind about 50gm of radish seeds into a fine powder.
  • Mix the powdered seed with about 50 to 60ml of the vinegar to make a thick smooth paste.
  • Apply this paste on the affected areas of the skin.
  • Leave it there for 15 minutes then wash it off and pat dry.
  • Repeat this for six months every evening before bed.

Turmeric and mustard oil

  • Place 250ml of organic mustard oil in a bowl and mix it well with 5 full teaspoons of turmeric powder.
  • Apply this mixture to the affected areas and leave it there for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Wash it off after and pat it dry.
  • Repeat this procedure for at least two times a day for 15 to 20 days

Vitamin E oil

  • Add some drops of this oil to a warm bath and soak for 15 minutes or more. It can also be gently rubbed into the areas affected on the face and head.

Walnuts

  • Grind walnuts in a blender to make it into a coarse powder.
  • Take 2 teaspoons of the coarse walnut powder and mix it with a small amount of bottled mineral water.
  • Mix to make a coarse thick paste and apply to affected areas 3 to 4 times a day.
  • Leave it to react with the skin for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash it off.
  • Repeat this process for about two months or so

Homeopathic remedies

Alum, natrum carbonicum, phosphorus, sepia, silica and sulphur can aid re-pigmentation but the exact amounts of these are best chosen by a qualified homeopath.

Related subjects

“Nature cures not the physician…” Hippocrates 460 BC

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