Vitiligo (often called leucoderma) is a skin disorder characterized by the development of white patches on the skin. It results from improper functioning or destruction of the melanocytes cells that produce melanin pigment (normally responsible for providing color to skin and hair). This disorder also leads to psychological issues relating to appearances and at times in certain individuals (mainly adolescents and the young), this stress can take enormous proportions particularly if vitiligo develops on visible areas of the body. They develop very strong emotions of being embarrassed, depressed, or worried about how others will react.

Homeopathy can treat vitiligo quite effectively with safe and natural medicines. It is capable of giving wonderful and miraculous cures in many cases of vitiligo. Homeopathy primarily works on halting the further progression of white patches on the skin. Afterwards, it functions to promote pigmentation in the white patches. Homeopathy works in vitiligo cases by optimising the immune system that helps in preventing damage to melanocytes cells. It also aims to activate the melanocyte cells to enhance the natural production of the pigment and start repigmentation of affected areas. Treating vitiligo in homeopathy is a very gradual process. So one needs to remember that vitiligo is a chronic disorder and can take considerable time even with the best of homoeopathic treatment, for it to be completely cured.

Homeopathic medicines are natural, gentle in nature

Homeopathic medicines are 100% safe and gentle. They have zero side effects and can be used safely among the people of all age groups. On the other hand, mainstream medicines use corticosteroids, light therapy, surgical procedures like skin grafting, blister grafting to treat vitiligo that can have various side effects. Here homeopathy can be opted as a great alternative to prevent any side effects because of medicines. No adverse effects are linked with the use of homeopathic medicines in any case.

Homeopathy aids self-healing

Each one of us has an inbuilt self-healing mechanism in our body which helps us to overcome  any health issues naturally. But what it requires to self-heal is some kind of a stimulus. Homeopathic medicines which are used in a highly diluted form do this job perfectly to stimulate this healing system for natural recovery in vitiligo cases.

Homeopathy follows constitutional treatment

According to homeopathic philosophy, vitiligo is not a disease in itself but an expression of an inner disturbed state of the body. Thus, the cure should occur at a level where things have gone wrong. In order to achieve this, homeopathic medicines need to be prescribed as per the constitution of a person. It means the patient is analysed on various aspects of mental and physical and familial attributes and also a complete study is done on the psychological environment that the patient has gone through in his life. The prescription is then based at the deepest level of understanding of the patient’s disturbed inner force. I would again reiterate the fact that real cure of vitiligo occurs when the prescription is made according to the person’s constitution that treats that deep causative factor which caused this inner disturbance.

Top 5 Homeopathic Medicines for Vitiligo

The top five homeopathic medicines for the treatment of vitiligo are Calcarea Carb, Arsenic Album, Sepia, Silicea and Sulphur.

1. Calcarea Carb – For Milky White Spots on the Skin

Calcarea Carb is a top-grade constitutional medicine for Vitiligo. It is prescribed to patients with Vitiligo with milky white spots on the skin. These white spots can appear anywhere on the body. In Homeopathy constitutional symptoms are given extreme importance while selecting medicine in any given case. These are unique mental and physical symptoms that guide the selection of medicine for any given case. Such few symptoms to look for when selecting Calcarea Carb are mentioned next. The first among these is a tendency to free perspiration over the head, neck, and chest. The second is intolerance to cold weather. Third is the presence of certain peculiar cravings to eat – eggs, chalk, pencils. Persons needing Calcarea Carb may show a tendency to catch cold easily. Weakness of bone may also be found. Tendency to chronic constipation and obesity can be present. In the mental sphere, the person may show several fears. The prominent fears among them are fear of misfortune, of contagious disease, of losing reason and of insanity.

When to use Calcarea Carb?

The use of Calcarea Carb is recommended to treat cases of vitiligo with milky white spots on the skin. A few constitutional symptoms that can be present include increased sweating, sensitivity to cold, cravings to eat – eggs, chalk, the tendency to catch cold easily and obesity.

How to use Calcarea Carb?

Both low and high potencies of this medicine work well, however, it is advised to begin with low potency. Calcarea Carb 30C can be taken just once a day, not more than that.

2. Arsenic Album – For Vitiligo in Anxious Personalities

Arsenic Album is yet another useful remedy for vitiligo in persons prone to dry, rough skin. The skin shows whitish spots and the skin is dry, dirty, and rough. The skin complaint alternating with respiratory complaints like asthma is a strong pointer for using Arsenic Album. In general sphere, warmth is a relieving factor for persons needing Arsenic Album. Warm applications over skin and warm drinks are highly desirable. Burning sensations in varying body parts may also be noticed. Extreme exhaustion may also be present. There are peculiar constitutional symptoms that allow us to select Arsenic Album in vitiligo treatment. The most prominent of these are fears and anxieties. This remedy is often indicated in persons who have fears including that of death,  disease,  germs, and of catching infection. Patients requiring Arsenic Album are highly anxious personalities. They may show anxieties about health,  trifles, and anxiety about others. Marked restlessness is often seen on both mental and physical planes in persons needing Arsenic Album. The next distinctive feature for selecting Arsenic Album in vitiligo is fastidiousness. People demanding extreme neatness and order in everything are yet another suitable subject requiring Arsenic Album.

When to use Arsenic Album?

Arsenic Album is suitable to treat vitiligo in persons having anxious personalities who get anxiety episodes from little things and also are very fearful. The skin in general is very dry and rough with white patches.

How to use Arsenic Album?

The use of this medicine should be restricted to once a day in 30 C potency. Consider use of high potencies only under guidance of a homeopathic doctor.

3. Sepia – For Vitiligo in People with Indifferent Attitude

Sepia is another important remedy in the list that is selected constitutionally in vitiligo treatment. If the constitutional picture of Sepia matches with that of a person suffering from vitiligo, it possesses a great ability to completely eradicate the disease. The constitutional symptoms that indicate the use of sepia are – having an indifferent approach towards life and family. They show aversion towards family members and friends who were once loved with great affection. They lack interest in doing any work. A tendency to avoid both physical or mental labor is present. They are constantly depressed with marked irritability, a weeping tendency, a desire to be alone, and an aversion to consolation or sympathy. The use of Sepia must also be thought in women with menstrual irregularities or those around menopausal age with a tendency to hot flushes. In general itching and soreness may be present on the skin. On scratching, itching changes to burning.

When to use Sepia?

Sepia is usually helpful to persons who have vitiligo itching, and soreness on the skin. On scratching, burning occurs at the itchy places. They have indifferent behavior towards life and family like they dislike family members, lack interest in doing any type of work, and desire loneliness.

How to use Sepia?

The recommended dose of this medicine is Sepia 30C once a day.

4. Silicea – With very Sweaty Skin

Silicea carries a good scope to treat vitiligo when selected as per its important indications.

The set of symptoms that indicate the use of  Silicea are –   pale and waxy skin; tendency to excessive perspiration, especially on hands and feet; tendency to eruptions with pus formation in various body parts; the tendency to catch a cold frequently; lean, thin physical makeup. A few characteristic mind symptoms need attention when selecting Silicea. The main mind symptoms are timidity and an under-confident nature. Silicea may be thought of in people who seem under-confident, fear public speaking, and are timid and bashful. Obstinate behavior and stubbornness may also indicate its use.

When to use Silicea?

Use of Silicea can be considered when there are white spots on skin along with a tendency of increased sweating mainly on feet and hands. Poor self – confidence, stubborn behaviour and fear of speaking in public are some of the mind symptoms to be looked for when prescribing Silicea.

How to use Silicea?

Among various available potencies of Silicea, the most commonly used is 6X potency. Silicea 6X can be taken once or twice a day as per the intensity of the problem.

5. Sulphur – With general Itching and Burning on Skin

Although Sulphur is mentioned quite low down in the list for treating vitiligo its worth is equivalent to the above-mentioned medicines. Sulphur is a deep-acting medicine used frequently in the treatment of varying skin diseases including vitiligo. It goes deep inside the basic root cause to annihilate the disease. It is a very beneficial medicine when itching and burning sensations are quite marked on the skin in general along with white spots on the skin. The persons requiring Sulphur usually show a philosophical mindset. They are popularly referred to as ‘ragged philosophers’. Their mind is constantly occupied with various theories and plans. As a result, they suffer from mental fatigue and absent-mindedness. They take little or no care for their physical appearance and even show an aversion to bathing. An extraordinary craving for sweets may also be shown as a constitutional symptom.

When to use Sulphur?

Its use is suggested mainly when a person having white spots on skin has a tendency of itching and burning in different parts of the skin.

How to use Sulphur?

Sulphur is usually used in 30C potency in infrequent doses like once or twice in a week.

What causes Vitiligo?

The cause for Vitiligo is not very clear but doctors and researchers are beginning to believe that Vitiligo resembles an autoimmune disorder. It means that the melanin pigment (the matter that gives color to our skin) producing cells of the skin are destroyed by the body’s antibodies (defense cells).

In some cases, it has been observed that the onset of Vitiligo is related to a psychologically stressful event in the patient’s life. People with a family history of Vitiligo are more prone to develop these white patches. Ninety-five percent of all those who develop Vitiligo, start developing symptoms before the 40th year of their life.

Other factors that are more common with those suffering from Vitiligo are the presence of other autoimmune disorders, a history of sunburns, rashes, and other skin disorders, and hair turning grey before the age of thirty-five.

Signs and Symptoms of Vitiligo

People with Vitiligo develop white patches on their skin of irregular shapes and sizes. Vitiligo is more common on the exposed areas for example hands, face, neck, and arms. It also occurs on covered areas too: – like genitals, breasts, and legs. In some patients the hair may also turn grey early and on the inside of the mouth, white discoloration may also occur. It can affect a particular localized area of skin or many areas on the skin. In some cases, itching is felt on the skin before the onset of depigmentation.

The spread of Vitiligo cannot be determined. It may stop completely after the first patch but often these patches do spread. For some patients, further development may take years and for others, the large areas can be covered in months.