Leucoderma literally means 'white skin,' and is a condition in which there is a localised loss of pigmentati~n of the skin. Vitiligo or Leucoderma is usually first noticed as white patches (depigmentation) on their skin. These patches are more common in sun-exposed areas, including the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other common areas are the armpits and groin, and around the mouth, eyes, nostrils, navel, and genitals.
Medicines & Prescriptions for Leucoderma
There are certain predisposing factors in leucoderma: persons suffering from chronic dysentery and other digestive disorders are more prone to it than others. If a patient of leucoderma is found to be suffering from digestive disorders, they should be treated first. Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica) seems to be the drug of choice in this condition. Powder of the bark of the plant should be given in one teaspoonful doses thrice daily to correct the condition. Arogyavardhini Vati is another useful prescription: the normal dose is four tablets given thrice daily. Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium) is also helpful in treating this condition. A linctus prepared from the drug is given in one teaspoonful doses thrice daily. The side-effects that the drug is likely to have can be warded off by swallowing a little ghee or butter berore ingesting the drug. It should be followed by a glass of milk
Causes & Symptoms of Leucoderma
White patches appear on the skin. Ayurveda maintains that leucoderma is caused by some morbidity of the liver which results in a deficiency of pitta.
Home Remedies for Treating Leucoderma
The patient should be kept on a salt-free diet as the absence of salt in the diet wilf speed up the recovery. Only rock salt is advised and that too in small quantities. Vegetables with a bitter taste like bitter gourd are beneficial.
Exposure to sun and heat should be avoided. The patient should avoid worry and mental strain. If he is costive, that condition should be ameliorated first before the regimen indicated above can help.
