VITILIGO & LEUCODERMA are two different terms used for the same skin disease. But, there exists causative difference between these two. Literally ‘Leucoderma’ means ‘white skin’. Terming it a disease is not appropriate because it does not cause any organic default and it starts without any symptom. So, basically it is a ‘skin disorder’. Generally it starts from a small spot, which gradually develops into patch. Primarily the patch may be pale but it develops whiter as the time passes and finally it appears white due to complete loss of melanin pigment (which provides normal skin colour). The patch would be of any shape or size. So it can also be termed as a ‘pigmentation disorder’.
Vitiligo is a Latin word meaning defective blemises on skin. Its a synonym for white patches.
Actually, Leucoderma & Vitiligo has got more social significance as compared to medical because of its prominence over a person’s skin, which differentiates him/her from others.

Leucoderma is acquired disorder of pigmentation mainly affecting the skin in which loss of functioning of melanocyte results in white patches on the skin with varying size and location. Usually leucoderma and vitiligo are known to be synonyms but many authors have said that progressive stage of leucoderma is considered as vitiligo. Causes of leucoderma may be a combination of genetic, immunologic, biochemical and neurogenic factors. Leucoderma is considered as a social stigma in our country. Affected individuals are always in constant depression with feeling of being socially outcast. Loss of coetaneous pigment appears to render the skin susceptible to premature ageing and cancer. Vitiligo is common skin disorder affecting about 1 to 2% of general population, irrespective of ethnic origin.

Leucoderma is a multi-factorial disease and hence there are many factors which cause formation or spreading of white patches.

1. Autoimmune Origin – Vitiligo is an auto immune disorder. Autoimmune disorders means when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks some healthy tissues of its own body, that is self destruction of melanolytes.

2. Incompatible food habits – In Ayurveda, it is clearly mentioned that use of incompatible food can cause development of white patches. Incompatible foods like milk and fish, milk and radish, milk and salt when taken together they produce toxins.

3. Genetic – Children, whose parents have the disorder, are more likely to develop leucoderma.

4. Stress – Stress plays an important role in precipitating autoimmune diseases in patients predisposed to them.

5. Abnormal liver functions – Many skin disorders occurs because of upset of GI tract. Patients whose liver is not working normally are more prone to develop skin disorders.
6. Deficiency of micro-nutrients – Many micro nutrients like copper, vitamin B12, zinc are essential for the normal formation of melanin pigment and hence their deficiency may lead to develop white patches.

7. Intestinal parasites like Helmints, Amoeba and Giardia upset normal functioning of the digestive system and may contribute to precipitation of white patches.

8. Chemically-induced depigmentation – A number of chemicals can be blamed for precipitating a Vitiligo. Various dyes have been reported to cause vitiligo such as:

Azo dye in Alta used by Indian women as a cosmetic colorant for their feet.
Hair dye.
Rubber in various industries ‘Rubber and plastic chappals’ are a well-known cause of vitiligo in India.
Cinnamic aldehyde in toothpaste and the adhesive used to stick Bindi.
9. Physiological

Hormonal changes due to menarche or first occurrence of menses, Pregnancy, Delivery and menopause may aggravate leucoderma.

Feel Free To Ask Query : http://aimilpharma.life/AskYourQuery/
For Camp details : http://www.aimilhealthcare.com/camps
Buy Medicine Online : https://www.aimilcare.life/browse/her...