Leucoderma 

Leucoderma is a chronic disorder of the skin where the skin stops producing pigments that color the skin. As a result white patches appear randomly at different locations on the skin. These patches are white in color and as time passes may increase in number and size. Leucoderma is not a medical term. It is only a substitute name for vitiligo. Vitiligo is a more common name for this disease in the west where as in Asia leucoderma is used more.

The Skin is colored in different shades of brown due to a pigment called melanin.Special cells called melanocytes are responsible for the production of melanin. Sometimes, for reasons dubious, the melanocytes stop producing melanin which results in white skin patches.

There are many explanations as to why this happens but none of these explanations has been proven to be the right one. This also explains why there is no confirmed cure for leucoderma. Even after extensive scientific research, the treatments of leucoderma are still very scarce and have not been proven to work for a majority of people. The best patients can do is hide these marks with colored creams but it is to be noted, this only hides these marks and doesn't stop more patches of white skin from appearing. There is no explanation as to the location of these patches of skin. Also, a question that may rise is why only patches appear and not the whole body is affected. For this too there is no proven explanation.
About 0.5% to 2% of the worlds population currently suffer from leucoderma. Leucoderma is not a contagiuos disease so there is no way a person can have leucoderma just by being around another person having it. Even though this is a proven fact, patients suffering from leucoderma often aren't accepted well in the social world. This often results in the patients suffering from depressive disorders.
 
Causes:
As mentioned above, the reason for leucoderma is still not very clear. However some theories are present and are as follows The first and most supported theory is autoimmune. In this case, the bodies self defense mechanism mistakes the melanocytes as foreign particles and destroys them thus putting melanin production to a halt. There is evidence that points towards this theory and tests are being carried out to determine if this is accurate and how to stop this.

The second theory suggests that the oxidant-antioxidant system of the body is, for an unknown reason, disturbed resulting in loss of melanocytes. A third theory is more based on statistical data than research. Statistics suggest that if a parent has leucoderma, his/her child will have a higher risk of having leucoderma than the rest of the population. So this theory suggests that a genetic factor is present in the causes of this disease. A fourth theory suggests that leucoderma is a direct cause of nerve damage. This can also be true as in a type of leucoderma called as segmental vitiligo, the areas of skin affected are often the areas in contact with the dorsal root of the spinal chord.
Symptoms of Leucoderma may include loss of hair, premature graying of hair and white patches. The whiteness generally appears as a small discolored white/pale or brown spot that later spreads in size. The spots become whiter day-after-day and finally become milky white. There might be general weakness and lassitude and a victim may have sensitivity towards cold. The patches or marks can be caused due to plenty of reasons; the most common among them are worm infestation and/or calcium deficiencies. These patches may produce lot of psychological stress in the victim.
 
The most notable symptom of vitiligo is depigmentation of patches of skin that occurs on the extremities. Although patches are initially small, they often enlarge and change shape. When skin lesions occur, they are most prominent on the face, hands and wrists.Depigmentation is particularly noticeable around body orifices, such as the mouth, eyes, nostrils, genitalia and umbilicus. Some lesions have hyperpigmentation around the edges. Patients who are stigmatised for their condition may experience depression and similar mood disorders.


Kali Carbonicum:
Potassium carbonate undergoes the process of potentization to evolve into a powerful deep acting homeopathic remedy called Kali Carb. Kali carb is a polycrest drug i.e. having effects on multiple organs and systems in the body. It has a broad sphere of action and is useful for a wide range of diseases.
                           Kali Carbonicum positively influences lungs, digestive system, heart, liver, kidney, female reproductive system, skin, etc. Kali Carbonicum does wonders in cases of asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, hydrothorax, etc. It is one of the commonly used medicines for vitiligo, warts, eczema, urticaria, hair loss, trigeminal neuralgia, sciatica and low backache, hypothyroidism, heavy menstrual bleeding, etc. It is also useful for complaints of digestive system like acidity, piles, jaundice, gastritis, etc. On the mental sphere, it tackles anxiety states very efficiently and is used for the treatment of the effects of stress on the body.

Silicea (Silica):
It is one of the splendid acts of homeopathy that substances labeled as inert can also be used efficiently to treat a large variety of disorders. Silica is the example of one such substance, which is chemically inert in its natural form, but after undergoing the process of potentization it gets transformed into a wonderful, deep acting remedy. Silica is in true sense called as polycrest remedy as it has a broad spectrum of action, useful for a wide range of disease processes. In fact this remedy has helped Homeopaths world over to treat so-called surgical conditions gently without requiring knife.
                           Silica positively influences bones and joints, mucous membranes, skin, cellular tissue, nerves, glands, lungs, digestive system, etc. Silica is one of the frequently used medicines for complaints of vitiligo, eczema, lichen planus, herpes, urticaria, asthmatic bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, styes and chalazion, trigeminal neuralgia, complaints of nails, tonsillitis, etc. Patients requiring silica usually have tendency of easy suppuration of skin injuries. Silica positively influences nutrition as well and hence its one of the prominent remedies used for rickets in children.

Arsenicum Sulfuratum Flavum:
This is one of the specific remedies used for the treatment of vitiligo in homeopathy. It has discoloration of the skin in blotches that are pale or white in color. It is also a good remedy for eczematous lesions which are moist and have intense itching with corrosive discharge. Pyoderma and urticaria also find a solution through this drug.
Its sphere of action also extends to catarrhal affections and asthmatic states. A deep acting drug which has been known to give good results in Leucoderma (vitiligo).

Syphillinum:
Syphilinum belongs to a group of homeopathic drugs called as Nosodes which are prepared from disease products or diseased tissues. The remedy prescribed does not contain the original drug substance in the material form but it contains only the dynamic curative powers of that substance. This is achieved through the process of potentization in homeopathy. Syphillinum is a deep acting, polycrest remedy affecting multiple systems of the body.
       It positively influences the mind, sensorium, skin, gastrointestinal tract, genito-urinary system, nerves, bones, etc. It is a very helpful remedy to combat hereditary syphilitic tendencies in patients.
           Syphillinum is frequently used in the homeopathic treatment of vitiligo, recurrent abscesses, osteomyelitis, trigeminal neuralgia, alcohol dependence, rheumatic complaints, etc. It's a useful drug to combat diseases that are destructive in nature and are deep-seated.

Nitricum acidum:
As the name suggests, this drug is prepared from nitric acid. It must be remembered that the remedy does not contain the original drug substance in its material form but it contains only the dynamic powers of the drug which are released after it undergoes the process of potentization.
                  Nitricum acidum is a deep acting, constitutional remedy which positively influences the gastrointestinal tract, nerves, glands, skin, bones, etc.
Its one of the commonly used drugs for vitiligo, warts, ulcers, fissures, gastritis, hemorrhoids, bony and rheumatic affections, malignancy, cachexia, etc.

Carcinosin:
It's the beauty of the homeopathic system of medicine to be able to use not only plants, animal products and minerals but also certain disease products and diseased tissue for curing various ailments of patients. These are called as Nosodes. Here is a remedy prepared from the material derived from the carcinoma of the breast. It must be borne in mind that the actual medicine does not contain any part of the original substance in the material form. Only the dynamic powers of the original drug substance are present in the final medicine.
Carcinosin is a deep acting constitutional drug having many indications and a very broad spectrum of action. It is useful for a wide range of disease processes, all of them cannot be described here, but a few of them are discussed here. It positively influences mind, lungs, heart, eyes, skin, bones and joints, nerves, etc. It is one of the commonly used medicines for diseases like vitiligo, urticaria, lichen planus, styes and chalazion, hair loss, asthma, insomnia, trigeminal neuralgia, etc. Homeopathy believes that the genetic predisposition or inherent susceptibility is usually the root cause of a wide range of diseases and Carcinosin in one such remedy which is used to combat these genetic tendencies effectively.

Hydrocotyle Asiatica:
This is a remedy that is prepared from the plant called Indian Pennywort. The tincture from the whole fresh plant is used for the preparation of this remedy. After undergoing the process of Potentization, the curative powers of this remedy are brought forth.
                    This is one of the very good remedies for vitiligo. It is supposed to stimulate the process of pigmentation. It is also beneficial in other skin problems such as psoriasis, lupus, leprosy, acne and other disorders of the skin in which there is much exfoliation of the skin.This medicine is often prescribed in combination with a constitutional medicine or other deeper acting medicine to get the best effect.



Natrum Muriaticum:
Natrum Muriaticum is an interesting example of homeopathic medicine prepared from a common food substance, the common salt, sodium chloride. As a rule, the common salt undergoes a special procedure called potentization, whereby its inner healing power is activated to make it available for healing. Constitutionally, this medicine has a broad spectrum of action, and is useful for a wide range of disease processes affecting the skin, gastrointestinal organs, nose, lungs, kidney, metabolism, muscles, head, hormonal system, etc. It is one of the commonly used remedies for hair loss, fissures-in-ano, urticaria, migraine, eczema, lichen planus, vitiligo, asthma, etc. Natrum muriaticum is frequently prescribed in cases of vitiligo and is one of the very good remedies for the same.


Phosphorus:
This is a wonderful remedy prepared by the potentization of inorganic phosphorus. After undergoing the process of potentization, the latent healing powers of this drug are brought to surface and it proves to be a wonderful remedy capable of curing a wide range of diseases.
                 Phosphorus predominantly acts on the skin, gastrointestinal tract, hepato-biliary system, blood, kidneys, bones, lungs, nervous tissue, etc. It is frequently used in the homeopathic treatment of vitiligo, hairloss, nephrotic syndrome, hepatitis, cirrhosis, hemorrhagic tendencies, respiratory infections, osteomyelitis, paralytic symptoms, etc.
                    Few of its common skin symptoms are: Loss of pigmentation in spots, white discoloration of the skin. It is also used for skin disorders where the patient has much itching and burning of the skin; in urticaria, psoriasis. It is also a good drug for hemorrhagic spots occurring on the skin at various places.

Thuja occidentalis:
This is a drug prepared from a plant Thuja Occidentalis commonly known as Arbor Vitae. This is another deep acting remedy with a wide sphere of action. It has profound action on skin, genito-urinary organs, joints, nervous system, glands, kidneys, blood, etc. Good for inveterate skin troubles and chronic stubborn skin conditions like vitiligo. Tendency to have unhealthy skin in general. It is a good drug not only for physical complaints but also for affection of the mind. For example it can be very useful in psychotic states, anxiety disorders, depression, etc. Genetic, auto-immune and hormonal factors associated with vitiligo may call for the use of this remedy. In general good for chronic diseases which have been neglected for a long time and have therefore grown deeper into the system. These patients are better in dry weather and worse from humid climate and damp conditions. Some doses of Thuja occidentalis helps enhance the speed of recovery in many cases of vitiligo