Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives color to your skin. In some instances, those melanin-producing cells die or fail to produce melanin. According to medical authorities, melanocytes may stop working properly because of reasons such as too much exposure to the sun, reaction to certain chemicals, oxidative stress and viral infections. They add that your genes as well as your own immune system may also be blamed for the problem.
The medical condition for the appearance of white spots due to the failure of melanocytes to function is vitiligo. Just about anyone can get vitiligo at any age, although it commonly starts before the affected individual reaches 20 years of age.
The most rampant type of vitiligo is the generalized kind, something which affects many parts of the body. There’s the so-called segmental vitiligo. This type of vitiligo affects only one side of the body, and may stop progressing after a couple of years or so. Then there is also focal or localized vitiligo which affects only one or a few parts of the body.
If you’re suffering from vitiligo, you may get a lot of funny stares from people who don’t know what the condition is, and this may rob you of your self-confidence. There are topical creams and ointments a doctor may prescribe, but a lot of these medications come with some unfavorable side effects such as the thinning of skin and appearance of lines. There are also modern-day medical treatments for vitiligo. Some of them include light and laser therapy, as well as skin grafting. However, many of them can be very expensive. They also tend to come with risks and side effects.
Fortunately, there are a wide variety of home remedies aimed at dealing with vitiligo. Below you will find some of the most effective ones. Experiment with several different approaches until you find one that seems to work for you effectively. Remember to regularly perform the home remedy of your choice in order to see results.
Basil Leaves and Lemons
Mixing the juice of basil leaves and lemons is said to be very good at reducing the appearance of those white spots on your skin. The recipe is something as simple as combining a teaspoons of basil juice and the juice of 5 to 6 lemons. Apply the resulting liquid on problem areas regularly. Remember to leave it there for at least 20 minutes before rinsing off.
Ginkgo Biloba Paste
Perhaps this is not the first time you have come across this herb. It’s a staple entry in so many home remedy lists for various health maladies. Gingko biloba paste may be obtained at your nearest health food store. Regularly applying it on those white spots can work wonders.
Walnut Powder
Another effective home remedy for vitiligo involves grinding walnuts, just enough for you to come up with a couple of tablespoons of it. A few drops of water should be added to the resulting powder so that you may end up with a paste. Apply on problem areas and rinse off after about 20 minutes.
Margosa Leaves and Raw Honey
Also known as neem leaves, margosa leaves may be used to treat vitiligo. Simply extract the juice of several clean margosa leaves using your blender or juicer. Take a couple of tablespoons and mix it with a tablespoon of raw honey. Mix and apply on white spots. Do this up to three times per day for best results.
Copper-Rich Foods
Experts say that copper is a mineral necessary for melanin production. That is why including sufficient amounts of copper-rich foods in the diet can help you zap vitiligo. Some excellent food sources of copper include nuts, chocolates, oysters, lobsters, liver, pumpkin seeds and soybean sprouts.
Foods Loaded with Vitamins B9 and B12
Deficiency in B vitamins is often blamed for vitiligo. The skin condition may be put to a stop by introducing more of the said vitamins to the diet, in particular vitamins B9 and B12. Liver, sunflower seeds and yeast extract are all good sources of vitamin B9. You can get vitamin B12 from milk, cheese, eggs, yogurt, chicken, pork and lamb.
