Earlier vitiligo was considered to be a cosmetic problem but now extensive research done has made it clear that this skin disorder is more than that. Doctors have discovered that vitiligo is actually an autoimmune disease, in this particular case the white cells start attacking melanocytes – a cell responsible for providing skin and hair color.
Unfortunately, the cure of this disease hasn’t been discovered yet which is why heavy emphasis is put on taking preventative measures. Small lifestyle changes are always what matters in the end even in this case.
Foods That Can Prevent Vitiligo
The impact of food on the human body is more than just gaining energy, it is the core of everything. Anything you eat has its effect on your body whether it’s positive or negative. Depending on your genetics there could be certain things you can eat to prevent vitiligo.
Always remember the answer to preventing any disease can be found in nature. To stop vitiligo, one can always start with eating healthy.
There are two reasons for following a healthy diet; firstly it is good for your whole body and secondly, it refrains you from consuming food that can cause inflammation and trigger autoimmune diseases like Vitiligo.
1. Papaya
Papaya is considered to be one of the most delicious and healthiest fruits out there. Many people have shared their stories of how it helped them stop vitiligo spread. Everything that comes from the papaya tree is a vital source, from its fruit to its leaves. To treat Vitiligo rub pieces of papaya on the bare skin which has been affected by this autoimmune disease. Cleanse it with clear water when the residue gets dry. Drinking papaya juice is also said to be a great source of regaining the melanin cells.
2. Turmeric
In the South Asian region turmeric is considered as the magic spice that contains various healing properties. To stop vitiligo spread, apply a mixture of turmeric powder and mustard oil on the white patches, it will help with the pigmentation of the skin. Clean the spots after twenty minutes and to keep your immune system healthy drink turmeric milk daily twice a week.
3. Walnut
Walnut is a dry fruit that is high in fiber. Eating around four to five walnuts a day can keep you safe from many illnesses including vitiligo. Just like other food, it’s best to use its properties in both ways i.e internally and externally. If for some reason you can’t eat walnut then crush it till it becomes powder and after doing that add water. Apply the paste on the white spots and it will help bring color to those areas.
Minerals and Vitamins That Are Good for Vitiligo
Recently a theory has been floating around that certain minerals and vitamins can help in preventing vitiligo to a great extent. While there is still insufficient evidence to prove its effectiveness, the benefits of minerals and vitamins make it worth a shot.
1. Zinc
It has been found that patients who suffer from Vitiligo have a low amount of zinc in their bodies. Hence it is advised to them, that eating food which is high in zinc can benefit them greatly. Zinc can mostly be taken by a meat-based diet. Adequate zinc supplementation in the human body can stimulate its healing process in the fight against vitiligo.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C deficiency is the culprit behind many people suffering from this life-long disease. Fruits like orange, lemon, and grapefruits contain a great deal of Vitamin C and are really capable of strengthening up a weak immune system. Lemon tea with a tablespoon of honey is the drink of some of the healthiest people you know and adding it into your routine will only be beneficial for you.
3. Copper
A lesser-known effective food that helps to prevent vitiligo is red clay. The reason behind this being so great is it’s enriched with minerals specifically copper. To use it properly try adding two or three tablespoons of red clay in a small quantity of ginger juice. Then apply that mixture to the white spots and clean it when it after some time. Doing this daily will help with the blood flow in the patch area.
4. Iron
Iron is one of the most important minerals that help in keeping the human body functioning properly. An inadequate amount of iron can be the cause of weak bones, brittle nails, hair fall, and weakening the immune system. To stop this from triggering vitiligo keep your diet iron-based and even take supplements only after consulting with your doctor.
Important Do’s and Don’ts with Vitiligo
To prevent vitiligo or its spread, some lifestyle changes are necessary to be made. Only ointments and surgeries won’t be helpful if you will keep on doing things that will trigger the development of vitiligo.
1. Don’t Smoke or Drink
A powerful immune system is one way to stay away from vitiligo and that can only be achieved with a healthy diet. Smoking and drinking would only weaken your immune system and put you at risk of many illnesses.
2. Avoid Tattoos
If you think getting a tattoo is a good idea to cover white marks caused by vitiligo then you are wrong. The only thing it will do is keep triggering the disease and end up making it worse.
3. Don’t Take Unnecessary Skin Treatment
Never go overboard with skin treatments specifically those which are being done for cosmetic purposes i.e tanning treatments.
Therapies and Surgeries To Stop Vitiligo Spread
In recent years many patients have started taking therapies and surgeries to remove vitiligo completely from their bodies. Surgeries or therapies are definitely on the extreme side of the solution and won’t be a suitable option for everyone. Still, it’s a chance worth taking for some and it’s a good thing that due to technological advancement there are multiple options available now.
1. Light Therapy
This is one of the most expensive and time-taking treatments. The patient would need to get this therapy twice or thrice a week for a minimum of six months. It would take nearly three months to see some progress. However, FDA has explicitly warned about this treatment as getting it can expose one to skin cancer specifically due to the involvement of calcineurin inhibitors. It is best to learn all about all the possible side effects of phototherapy with your doctor before making a decision.
2. Depigmentation
This treatment is a viable option for those patients with universal vitiligo. In this, a depigmenting agent is applied to those areas of the body that hasn’t been affected by this skin disorder. Slowly the rest of the body color will get lightened to match those white patches. The time commitment depigmentation requires can be a problem for some, it needs to be done once or twice every day for a minimum of nine months. Currently, depigmentation is the only “permanent” solution to vitiligo.
3. Skin Grafting
In this surgery, the doctor will transfer small sections of unaffected skin to those areas that have become white patches. This procedure is mostly used when there are small spots of vitiligo. Scarring and infection are some of the possible risks associated with this surgery.
4. Blister Grafting
In this treatment, blisters are created on the pigmented skin, mostly with the help of suction, then a transplant is done on the top of blisters to make it match discolored skin. One big risk of this surgery is that it can trigger another patch of vitiligo if the skin gets more damaged in the suction process.
5. Cellular suspension transplant
In this surgery, some tissues are taken from the pigmented skin, mixed with a solution, and then gets transplanted to the affected area. This process is called repigmentation and it can take up to four weeks to get the results seen. Uneven skin ton and scarring can be a possible outcome of this surgery.
Suggested Cure Cream and Ointment for Vitiligo
The loss of melanocytes in the affected areas cannot be retrieved by using just one medication. But if the right combination of ointments, and surgeries are used then it can help restore the original skin color. The most popular creams that have shown impressive results in the last few years are these:
1. Corticosteroid Cream
This ointment is most effective to apply in the initial stages of vitiligo. It will work slow at first and the result will first be noticeable after using it for several months. Keep in mind, skin thinning and lines appearing on the skin are the side effects of this cream.
2. Tacrolimus or Pimecrolius
This cream is mostly prescribed to people who have discolored spots on their faces and neck. Before purchasing this it is best to consult with your doctor because FDA has issued a warning about some links between skin cancer and these calcineurin inhibitor ointments.
Doctors are working hard to find an ultimate cure for this skin disorder. They still haven’t found any medicine or ointment that would end the spread of vitiligo. On the positive side, new information is coming to light about this disease every day which brings us one step closer to finding a solution.
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