Leucoderma is a rare skin disease characterized by white spots and
patches. In this distressful but not contagious disease, there is a
gradual loss of pigment called melanin from the dermal layers that
results into white patches. Leucoderma may begin with a small patch but
slowly and steadily spreads throughout the body. The actual cause is
still not known though several studies have been conducted on the
subject. Some of the perceived causes are emotional stress, hereditary
factors, worms, sunburns and physical illness.

What causes
Leucoderma is still not known. Despite advanced research, medicine is
still trying to figure out the exact cause of Leucoderma. There are
numerous theories as to what could cause this disease. To-date three
theories have been widely accepted. The first theory is one of mistaken
identity states that the immune system mistakes the pigment cells for
foreign bodies and destroys them. The second theory says that certain
chemical agents destroy the pigment generating cells.

Causes of Leucoderma

The common causes of Leucoderma which have been identified by the researcher are:

• Excessive mental stress
• Chronic or acute gastric diseases can also contribute to leucoderma.
• Person who has impaired hepatic function as in jaundice
• Worm infestations or other parasite infestation in the alimentary canal is prone to have those white patches.
•
Pressure from tight clothes or certain occupational hazards like
wearing certain rubber hand-gloves, using tattoos over the skin etc.

Symptoms of Leucoderma
may include loss of hair, premature graying of hair and white patches.
The whiteness generally appears as a small discolored white/pale or
brown spot that later spreads in size. The spots become whiter
day-after-day and finally become milky white. There might be general
weakness and lassitude and a victim may have sensitivity towards cold.
The patches or marks can be caused due to plenty of reasons; the most
common among them are worm infestation and/or calcium deficiencies.
These patches may produce lot of psychological stress in the victim.

A
majority of the cases including why Leucoderma spots are white are
amenable to medical management. To confirm whether a white patch is
Leucoderma or not, they have an outline darker than the skin, must be
irregular in appearance, gradually increase in size and appear milky
white under an ultraviolet light.

Leucodermal conditions have
huge psycho-social impact. No age is exempt and genetic re-disposition
is there. The most affected areas of the disease include the hands, the
neck, the back and the wrists in the order. The condition does not cause
any harm to the body organs. Individuals need to let their doctors know
if they are feeling depressed. Doctors and other mental health
professionals should be able to help patients deal with depression.

Home Remedies for Leucoderma

1.
Take about 25 grams of radish seeds and land them into a powdery
substance. Add 2 tsp vinegar and make a fine paste. Apply this paste on
the exaggerated area and wash off when dry.
2. In about eight liters
of water, soak 500 gm turmeric. Boil the concoction until only a liter
of it is left. Strain this liquid and add ½ liter mustard oil to it.
Apply this on the patchy areas two times a day, for at least 2-3 months.
3.
Soak psoralea seeds in ginger juice for 3 days. Thereafter, dry them
and grind to make a fine powder. Have 1 gram of this fine particles,
with a glass of milk, for about a month. You can also apply this powder
on white patches.
4. Another method would be to soak psoralea and
tamarind seeds in water for 3-4 days. Dry them well and grind to form a
paste. Apply this paste on the affected area on a daily basis.

You may be interested in reading Leucoderma Remedies and Home Remedies for Leucoderma. If you want read more Vitiligo White Patches