5 Common Concerns about Vitiligo

1. Can vitiligo spread from one person to the other?

Vitiligo is neither infectious nor communicable. It does not spread from one person to the other. Vitiligo is a disease chiefly limited to Depigmentation of human skin and hair. It is absolutely safe to play, share food and items with your friend or relative having vitiligo.

2. Can vitiligo spread rapidly by intake of certain foods?  

A common myth is that it occurs by intake of fish and milk together however the truth is that it has no relation with intake of milk, fish or both. 

3. Is vitiligo a form of leprosy?

Vitiligo has often been confused with leprosy due to similar appearance of skin patches and poor understanding of disease causation in the past. Many old books refer to vitiligo as sweta kushta or white leprosy confusing the picture further. However, it is now very clear that vitiligo is not leprosy and has no relation to it. Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by an acid-fast bacillus known as mycobacterium leprae whereas vitiligo is purely a non-infectious disease of autoimmune etiology. 

4. Is vitiligo related to albinism or skin cancers?

 Vitiligo is not related to albinism or skin cancers. Albinism is a genetic disorder, the patients born with this have no melanin. These patients have white skin all over, including hair, iris and eyebrows, since birth. On the other hand, vitiligo patients have normal skin at birth. Later in life they develop abnormal immune response towards melanocyte causing their destruction. Similarly, vitiligo has no association with skin malignancies.

5. Is Homoeopathy is best for Vitiligo?

Homeopathic medicines are natural and have no side-effects unlike conventional medicine which could cause severe burns and blistering.

Homeopathic medicine has long lasting results unlike short term results seen in conventional medicines.

Homeopathic medicine is prescribed on individual case history so the underlying stress can be effectively treated with homeopathy which can bring about a positive result in the treatment of Vitiligo

If the disease is not controlled it can recur. Homeopathy helps to correct the melanin destruction thus prevents recurrence of the disease.

Unlike skin grafts which could cause scarring, homeopathy has not external treatment except the sweet pills which cause no scarring.

Homeopathic medicine helps triggering re-pigmentation and corrects the altered immune response.

Associated diseases like thyroid and diabetes can also be controlled with homeopathic medicine and proper diet regime.

Children happily take homeopathic medicines as they are sweet unlike bitter conventional medicines.

If Homoeopathy is considered as treatment option in the early stage of the disease, then the overall control of the disease in future is much better.

In any skin affection there is often an underlying psychosomatic factor. Homoeopathy can help treat this factor very effectively without causing dependence or addiction.