Introduction
Everybody wants healthy, glowing and youthful skin. We all are born with soft and radiant skin. Skin tones varies from person to person. Some people think that skin is the outermost visible layer of our body. But the real truth is that skin is the first layer of our immune system. Like other vital parts of our body skin plays vital functions in our body. As we grow our skin becomes thinner and rough. So many unpleasant things happen to our skin. Our skin also needs a healthy life style and nutrition rich diet. Healthy skin needs proper sleep, nutritious diet, regular exercise and plenty of water. But these days life is full of stress and people are taking unhealthy diet. These all factors lead to various skin disorders.
About Leucoderma
Leucoderma is a condition of white patches on our skin.
Our skin is differentiated into three different layers:-
- Epidermis (outermost layer)
- Dermis (beneath the dermis)
- Hypodermis (deeper subcutaneous tissue)
In our body skin color is created by special cells. These melanin pigment producing cells are called melanocytes. When melanocytes are not able to produce sufficient color for our body then this condition occurs. Patches formed on our body are called macules. These lesions found in body are painless. Size of macules vary and can be found on any part of body.
Mostly affected parts are:-
- Face
- Lips
- Hand
- Feet
- Axilla
- Groin
- Genital organs
Causes of Leucoderma
There is no known cause for this disorder. It is an autoimmune disorder in which body is destroying its own cells, tissues and genetics. Rarely may be due to external accidents like burns, body cuts and body scars. In all this external accidental conditions melanocytes are destroyed. People who are suffering with metal stress and chronic gastric disorders are also more prone to leucoderma.
Symptoms of Leucoderma
Gradually condition starts with a simple spot on body and it get converted into patches or spread to whole body.
In some cases premature graying of scalp hair and eyelashes are also seen.
Ayurvedic Aspect
In ayurvedic literature "kusth" is classified into eighteen different types. "SHIVTRA" OR "SHWETA KUSTHA" is ayurvedic term used for leucoderma. This disorder is non-infectious and white patches are formed on skin. Main cause of shivtra is aggravation of pitta dosha. Pitta dosha symbolizes heat and warmth and it manifested below our skin. Excessive aggravation of pitta dosha under our skin leads to collection of ama (toxins) and cause this condition called leucoderma. In human body five types of pitta is found and bhrajak pitta is responsible for coloration of skin.
Imbalance of bhrajak pitta ----- enters to deeper body tissue (rasa, rakta and lasika) ---- skin start losing its natural color ---- white patches formed in skin.
According to Ayurveda following are main causes of shivtra:-
- Virudh ahaara (contradictory food and drinks)
- Suppression of natural urges
- Physical exercise in excessive heat
- Stress and trauma (abhighat)
Some tips to be kept in mind
- Avoid stress and feel relaxed
- Never use hard soaps
- Try to get sunbath (morning) daily for 20-30 minutes.
- Avoid hard cosmetics