5 Home Remedies for Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin disorder that occurs when cells in your body’s skin tissue lose their normal pigmentation, resulting in the appearance of light colored splotches in highly visible areas like the hands, stomach, face, or neck.

In some cases it can also occur on the insides of the mouth, in your nasal cavity, around the genitals, and even in the retina of the eye. While this disorder primarily affects the skin, treatment must include emotional support, as it also typically affects the self-esteem of sufferers.

What causes vitiligo?

So far, researchers haven’t been able to determine the exact cause of vitiligo. Some suggest that it’s an immune disorder that causes the development of antibodies that attack the pigment of your skin cells. Melanocytes, the cells that are responsible for giving color to the skin, may be altered or simply die, leading to the appearance of these white patches on various parts of the body.

What they can agree on is that most cases of vitiligo are related to genetics. This is a condition that has no cure, but the symptoms can be treated to improve the quality of life in sufferers.

Recommendations for vitiligo

People who have vitiligo must be especially careful with their skin, as this condition causes the light patches to be more delicate and sensitive.

Sun protection

It’s extremely important that you protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays, using a good broad spectrum sunscreen. Apply it generously all over your skin, at least a half an hour before going out into the sun.

You can also wear hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing to cover your skin, and generally avoid going out in the sun during the strongest hours. People with vitiligo usually burn more easily, which worsens the problem.

Avoid getting tattoos

A tattooing technique known as micropigmentation exists, which can conceal patches affected by vitiligo or at least make them less obvious. But this technique and others like it can actually cause the disease to progress even further, leading to the appearance of new spots.

Natural remedies for vitiligo

Some natural products react well with the skin to slow the progression of vitiligo. However, their effectiveness will vary from person to person, and they require consistent application before you see any results.

Papaya

This fruit contains nutrients that help revive the melanocytes that produce melanin, or skin color. It’s an inexpensive option that you must apply frequently in order to obtain the best results.

What should you do?

• Cut a slice of papaya and mash it into a pulp, then apply it directly on the affected areas. Leave it on until it dries, and repeat it twice for the best results.
• You can also enhance these effects by drinking papaya juice.

Red clay

Clay contains copper, which can help restore the pigmentation of the skin. It also improves blood flow and contributes to overall healthier looking skin.

What should you do?

• Mix two tablespoons of red clay with some ginger extract and apply the paste to the affected areas for 15 minutes.

Turmeric

This spice can be very beneficial to the skin, helping restore pigmentation naturally.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of raw turmeric
• ½ pound of ginger root
• The juice from five lemons

What should you do?

• Mix all ingredients together in a jar. Store in the refrigerator and consume two teaspoons before each meal.
• Another option is to prepare a tea made with turmeric and apply the liquid directly to the skin.

Duckweed

This is a small aquatic plant that often grows in lakes and ponds, and is a good treatment to reduce the effects of vitiligo. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to acquire.

What should you do?

• Grind the plant into a paste and add a teaspoon of honey. Consume a tablespoon twice a day, after meals.

Ginger

Ginger root has become very popular thanks to its many medicinal applications, and it may also be useful in the treatment of vitiligo, thanks to its ability to improve blood flow.

Ingredients

• 1 fresh ginger root
• 1 teaspoon of mustard oil
• A pinch of ground turmeric

What should you do?

• Grate the ginger root and mix it with mustard oil and ground turmeric. Apply this as a paste directly to the affected areas, and leave it on the skin for 20 minutes.