Vitiligo and Leucoderma are two different names for a similar disease.

Vitiligo generally starts without any notice. As Vitiligo starts with slight depigmentation over skin with gradually develops into a white patch. One can rarely notice any symptom of vitiligo. Some cases have slight itching before appearance of a vitiligo spot.

Reason behind vitiligo can be improper hygiene, odd food combinations or improper immunity. The reasons develop toxins which acts reverse on body metabolism leading to abrupt immunity system. As human immunity system defends body from various bacteria & virus attacks also, if it gets disturbed then the body gets into the stage of Autoimmunity.  In simple language Autoimmunity is a stage of body in which body cells destroy it. It starts destroying the pigment cells. The ‘melanocyte’ is the cell which produces melanin pigment. The loss of melanin pigment results into a vitiligo patch.

Reason of Leucoderma can be termed as accidental. Generally Leucoderma spots starts after a scratch, a cut or after burn. Sometimes some paint, adhesive or cosmetic allergy can start Leucoderma. After the accident or allergy partial or complete loss of melanocyte can lead to Leucoderma. 

Leucoderma can be termed as a symptom of vitiligo.

Although both Leucoderma and vitiligo have different onset reasons but usually the line of Ayurvedic treatment remains the same in both.

Vitiligo is a disorder with visible changes only. It is a disorder as it has absence of symptoms. It can start at any stage of life but mostly occur below 40 years of age.  But recently the percentage of getting vitiligo over 40 years of age is gaining. It is a disorder related to immunity, so the small kids as well as an elder person have the probability of having vitiligo if he or she has suffered lower or hyperactive immunity.

Generally it starts with visible depigmentation on skin. Loss of melanocytes actually held responsible for the anomaly.

Ignorance of the de-pigmented skin area can make it complicated and vast. As normally it starts in a gradual manner and mostly silent so it can get ignored if not checked properly. Few cases are reported with slight skin irritation over the area of the spot.

When skin de-pigmentation occurs after a cut, accident or a burn then it is precisely termed Leucoderma. The other self-generated patches can be termed Vitiligo.
The treatment line of Vitiligo and Leucoderma remains the same according to Ayurveda. Being a disorder with loss of pigments both vitiligo and leucoderma are treated with herbs to provide to the point pigmentation over the white spots and to stabilize the immunity of body.
Ayurveda treats both through their root cause. Ayurvedic herbs are administered orally and through topical application in a way that the vitiligo patient can respond internally and externally used medicines. With a few diet restrictions and correct Ayurvedic treatment one can get relief from vitiligo and leucoderma.

Ayurveda is considered best for skin diseases

Generalized vitiligo
Many vitiligo cases can be found bilateral as if it is in one hand , it tends to be in other hand also. This is generalised vitiligo. Distribution of widespread vitiligo can be called Generalised vitiligo.

Segmental vitiligo
If vitiligo is spread to a few limited area then it can be termed as segmental vitiligo. At the same time segmental vitiligo can be found with Generalised vitiligo in some vitiligo affected cases.

Acrofacial vitiligo
Acrofacial vitiligo is the most common vitiligo type seen. Acrofacial vitiligo has the spread of white patches away from the centre of the body . It is the loss of skin pigmentation occurring on face or extremities like fingers, around mouth and around eyes. Generally it occurs in exposed areas.

The segmental type of vitiligo is more common and seen widely.
The treatment of all three will remain almost same. The applicable herbal medicines type may differ in all three types of vitiligo while treating it in Ayurhealthline.

Much has been said about the reason for vitiligo but conclusive reason is that it is an autoimmune disorder occurring due to immunity disturbances. Immunity disturbances can happen due to regular odd food combination intake, regular stress and sudden trauma or due to some lifestyle problems.

Vitiligo & Leucoderma can occur either due to disrupted melanin formation or due to melanin loss from the skin. The emerged white spot has the tendency to grow and form a larger patch. Some cases have been seen with a single patch whole life. But majority of cases their spontaneous spread & merging can be seen.

Vitiligo is self-generated due to abrupt immunity system or Autoimmunity. The reasons behind autoimmunity could be odd food items intake regularly, pesticide or insecticide treated vegetable intake, adulterated food items intake, poor hygiene, intake of cold and hot items together on regular basis, repeated antibiotic administration, repeated occurrence of Typhoid, Malaria or Jaundice. Regular stress, sudden trauma can also lead to vitiligo in some people.

Vitiligo can occur genetically also.

Leucoderma reason could be accidental or allergic. Leucoderma cause can be a burn, cut, scratch or post-surgical skin marks. Long hours of swimming in pools during sun can also be seen as Leucoderma reason. Sudden exposure of chemicals on skin can sometimes be a reason for Leucoderma.

Leucoderma and Vitiligo have different aetiology but have same line of treatment in Ayurveda.

Diet Restrictions in Vitiligo & Leucoderma

Many of us know the importance of diet control in treatment of Vitiligo & Leucoderma. Vitiligo condition and treatment are very much dependent on what you take and what you restrict.

Most of the eatables restricted are responsible for slowing down the pigmentation rate. So, if the patient is taking medicines for re-pigmentation then he or she should stop taking such items. In layman’s language the eatables which are responsible for fairness like vitamin C, citrus fruit & juices etc. are restricted in cases of Vitiligo and Leucoderma. So one has to strictly follow Vitiligo Diet to get faster results in vitiligo.

Food items as Curd, Tamarind, raw Tomato, raw onion, raw garlic, Papaya, Green chili, Gooseberry, Pickles, Citrus fruits & Citrus fruit items / juices as oranges, lemon, grapes, sea food, fish and red meat should be restricted. Oily, spicy food & non vegetarian food intake should be lowered. In adults milk intake should also be lowered. Soda bi carb, stored sour things, junk food, tinned foods or drinks, chocolates, coffee or cocoa products should not be taken regularly.

The ascorbic acid in citrus fruits has the tendency to reduce melanin pigmentation. So the vitiligo patients are restricted to take citrus food. Non vegetarian food is also to be avoided as they act as a foreign body to pigment cells & animal protein could reduce pigmentation rate. It is better to avoid even the milk and milk products to some extent as the milk protein may decrease pigmentation rate. Chickpeas (black/red gram or desi chana), Greens and Red Radish, Beetroots, Carrots, figs and Black dates may be taken. These are helpful in coverage of a white patch.