Leucoderma: White Spots or Patches on Skin

Introduction

Leucoderma, sometimes known as vitiligo, is a rare skin disease characterized by white spots and patches. The white patch or spot is called leucoderma, and when it occurs without any preceding disease it is called Vitiligo. Leucoderma is a symptom of vitiligo.

Main Digest

Leucoderma in literal term means white skin. This kind of condition is mistaken for another skin disease i.e. leprosy. Under this skin condition, certain parts of the skin gradually lose color leaving behind white patches. This occurs due to loss of melanin, a dark pigment which gives color to skin. It may begin with a small patch but slowly and steadily spreads throughout the body. Leucoderma is not a painful, dangerous or contagious skin disease.

The actual cause is still unknown though numerous studies have been conducted on the subject. Some of the perceived causes are emotional stress, hereditary factors, worms, sunburns and physical illness. This skin condition can be aggravated due to diseases like hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, pernicious anemia and Addison's disease.

What Are the Symptoms of Vitiligo?

Flat spots that range in color from white to pink to tan and brown appear over the upper arms, chest, back, neck and face. They vary greatly in size, from as small as four to five millimeters in diameter to large areas of confluence. Scaling may not be readily evident, but scales may easily be obtained by scraping the affected areas. A mild itch may be present, particularly if a person is sweating or feels hot. When the spots involve the neck or face, it can be very disconcerting.

What Can I Do About Vitiligo?

If you think you have white spots or any discolorations of the skin, see a dermatologist. The appearance of the skin is often all that is required to clinch a diagnosis, but microscopic examination of the fine scales can be performed if necessary. When viewed under a special light or chemical preparation, the presence of the yeast can be confirmed.

Tips

• Avoid stress and try to relax
• Do not use hard soaps while bathing
• Get a sun bath in the early hour for 20-30 minutes
• Avoid cosmetics like cream, powder and other triggering agents.
• Increase iron deficiency by eating foods such has meat, liver, cereals, beans, lentils and green leafy vegetables.
• Avoid citrus fruits, tamarind, fish, lobsters, crabs and prawns.
• Sodium or salt consumption should be completely stopped during the leucoderma treatment.

Home Remedies for Leucoderma

• A home remedy with the help of Babchi and Tamarind seeds can be used for vitiligo. In 1:1 proportion steep these seeds in water for three to four days. Shell and dry them in shade. Make it into a paste and apply on the white patches.
• Drink water from a copper vessel which has been kept overnight.
• Ginger juice serves as a mild stimulant in increasing blood flow to the white patches.
• Poultice of ginger leaves applied over the patches also helps.
• Eat curry made of Bathu. Apply Bathu juice over the patches or spots at least twice or thrice a day.
• Eat figs regularly for a month.
• Dry pomegranate leaves in shade and grind into fine powder. Sieve it and take 8 gms of it every morning and evening with fresh water.
• Eat walnuts regularly to cure leucoderma
• Make a dry mixture by grinding Neem leaves, flowers and fruits in equal quantity. Take 1 tsp of this powder daily with water.
• Combine 100 gms each of Alfalfa and cucumber juice. Have it in the morning and evening for few months.
• Mix Harad powder in garlic juice and apply it on the white spots.
• Drink butter milk, thought to be very useful for treating vitiligo.
• Make black gram paste and apply it on the affected area for four months. This will be very fruitful in the fight against leucoderma.
• Wash and clean a basil plant along with its roots. Beat the plant and boil it in 1/2 liter water mixed with 1/2 liter oil. Once the water evaporates, mash and strain to get basil oil. Apply this oil on the white spots.

Tinea Versicolor Can Also Cause White Spots on the Skin

Fungal infections of the human body are very common, and are often quite bothersome. One such example is a condition known as tinea versicolor, a superficial yeast infection that produces white spots on the skin that are difficult to remove.

How Do I Get It?

Pityrosporum orbiculare, the yeast that causes tinea versicolor, is present in small numbers on normal skin; regular washing rids the skin of dead skin cells as well as excess yeast. But it can grow in great amounts - during the summer months when humidity sky-rockets or when a person's immune system is weakened - and interfere with the normal pigmentation of the skin; resulting in unsightly spots in both light and dark colors.

Teens and young adults, regardless of skin color, are the usual victims of tinea versicolor, and those with oily skin may be more prone to it than those with dry skin. In tropical countries, where humidity and temperature are persistently elevated, people of all ages can suffer from these spots all throughout the year.

How Is It Treated?

Tinea versicolor responds to either topical or oral forms of treatment. Topical antifungal creams, ointments, or shampoos - containing selenium sulfide, keteconazole, zinc-pyrithrone, imidazole, or other medications - applied directly to affected areas once or twice daily have proven effective.

Sulfur soap and salicyclic acid have also been used to rid skin of the yeast. Oral antifungals have been used to treat tinea versicolor resistant to topical applications. In both topical and oral forms of treatment, however, restoration of skin color should be expected several months after yeast has been destroyed. Consult your dermatologist before using any of these medications.

Recurrence is common and medicated cleansers may be needed to prevent relapses. Ask your dermatologist about them. To discourage overgrowth of fungus, keep skin dry and wear thin, loose clothing.

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Cite This Page (APA): Langtree, I. C. (2017, December 13). Leucoderma: White Spots or Patches on Skin. Disabled World. Retrieved May 19, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/health/dermatology/skin/leucoderma.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/health/dermatology/skin/leucoderma.php">Leucoderma: White Spots or Patches on Skin</a>: Leucoderma, also called vitiligo, is a rare skin disease characterized by white spots and patches. The white patch or spot is called leucoderma, and when it occurs without any preceding disease it is called Vitiligo. Leucoderma is a symptom of vitiligo.

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