Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes depigmented patches to appear on the skin due to the loss of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin.
A common misconception regarding vitiligo is thinking it is life threatening. While its not, the visible symptoms, especially the white patches on the skin often takes an emotional toll. So, finding “How to Stop vitiligo spread” is quintessential.
Beyond getting tailored treatment at Kayakalp Global, there are several diet and home remedies that you can integrate into your lifestyle to minimise the spread further.
What Causes Vitiligo and Can the Spread Be Stopped?
The onset of vitiligo is primarily considered an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s melanocytes are damaged by its immune system, leading to depigmented patches.
Beyond the autoimmune trigger, studies also depict that genetic or environmental factors could contribute to the onset and spread of the vitiligo symptoms. Some other factors that influence the spread of vitiligo include stress, hormonal imbalance, oxidative damage, etc.
While ongoing medical intervention helps in re pigmenting the white patches, a holistic approach with a healthy diet and home remedies also nurtures the skin. It prevents the further spread of the condition. Explore: Early Stages of Vitiligo, Vitiligo self care guide.
How to Stop Vitiligo Spread: Diet for Controlling Vitiligo
A significant portion of your vitiligo depends on the food you are consuming. The right diet will not only ensure that your skin health is optimum, but it will also ensure that the levels of oxidative stress are in check and your immunity is optimised, too. Explore Melanin Boosting Foods For Vitiligo Treatment.
Following are some of the most important foods to include in your diet for controlling vitiligo spread:
1. Antioxidant-rich Foods
Since oxidative stress is a major contributor to vitiligo and its spread, consuming a diet enriched with antioxidant-rich foods is quintessential. It helps neutralise the free radicals and further protect your skin.
Sources: Blueberries, spinach, walnuts, green tea, and dark chocolate.
2. Copper-rich Foods
Since vitiligo is directly associated with melanin production and its inhibition, including trace minerals like copper in your diet can come a lot in handy. Copper is a very important mineral that plays a role in mineral production, so including foods rich in copper helps prevent further vitiligo spread.
Sources: Lentils, cashews, sesame seeds, and dark leafy greens.
3. Folate and Vitamin B12
Although fairly less talked about, the combination of folate and Vitamin B12 significantly keep your vitiligo symptoms in check. Some studies depict that deficiencies in these vitamins have direct impacts on vitiligo progression.
Sources: Eggs, fortified cereals, beans, and oranges.
4. Beta-Carotene
Although it doesn’t necessarily directly correlate with preventing the spread of vitiligo symptoms, including foods rich in beta-carotene in your diet promotes skin health and has proven benefits in reducing depigmentation.
Sources: Carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and apricots.
5. Vitamin D-rich Foods
Vitiligo is associated with a compromised immune system, which usually triggers the body’s immune cells to destroy the melanocytes. Vitamin D plays a significant role in immune system regulation, so including foods rich in Vitamin D has proven benefits in preventing further spread of the vitiligo symptoms.
Sources: Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), mushrooms, and fortified dairy products.
6. Zinc-Rich Foods
Zinc is another trace mineral, which has direct influence on the skin health and immune regulation, two major factors, which help in preventing further spread of the vitiligo symptoms. So, including them into your diet is vital if you don’t want your vitiligo to progressively get worse.
Sources: Shellfish, pumpkin seeds, and chickpeas.
How to Stop Vitiligo Spread: Foods to Avoid
If you don’t want your vitiligo symptoms to worsen, there are a few different foods to avoid in vitiligo.
They include:
- While rich in Vitamin C, citrus fruits may sometimes aggravate vitiligo due to their high acidity. Limit consumption if you notice a reaction.
- Processed and junk foods are high in preservatives and unhealthy fats, which can trigger inflammation and stress your immune system.
- Some studies suggest that gluten and dairy products may worsen autoimmune responses in sensitive individuals.
- Excessive alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate your body and exacerbate oxidative stress, potentially worsening vitiligo.
Also Read: How To Avoid Vitiligo From Spreading?
Home Remedies to Manage Vitiligo
Beyond your personalised integrated treatment for Vitiligo at Kayakalp Global, there are a few home remedies, which yield amazing results in managing the condition and preventing further spread of the symptoms.
Some of the are:
1. Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba is an herbal supplement known for its antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Studies suggest it can slow the spread of vitiligo and promote repigmentation. The only catch is that you must consult our Kayakalp Global specialists to understand whether this supplement would be ideal for your well-being before you get on it.
2. Turmeric and Mustard Oil
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can improve skin health. You can mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with 2 teaspoons of mustard oil and apply the mixture on the white patches on the skin for a few months to see noticeable improvements.
3. Psoralea Corylifolia (Bakuchi)
When it comes to Ayurveda and vitiligo management, Bakuchi is yet another effective home/herbal remedy that has proven benefits in managing the condition and preventing uncontrolled spread. That said, Bakuchi is unsuitable for every individual since it can cause skin irritation and redness after applying the paste to your skin. So, you’d need to be cautious when using it.
4. Neem Leaves
Another herbal remedy often discussed in association with vitiligo treatment at home is neem leaves. It is a natural blood purifier and has strong anti-inflammatory properties, which come a lot in handy for people with an unregulated immune system that’s contributing to vitiligo. Explore: Does Vitiligo Naturally go away?
5. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil hydrates the skin and reduces inflammation, making it beneficial for vitiligo management. You’d need to use organic coconut oil and then apply it generously on the white patches on the skin.
Also Read: 10 Best Home Remedies For Vitiligo Disease.
Lifestyle Tips to Prevent Vitiligo Spread
As we previously mentioned, Vitiligo is also triggered by various lifestyle factors, which need to be addressed and regulated.
Following are a few tips to keep into consideration:
- If you suffer from chronic stress, that’s one of the leading factors exacerbating your vitiligo. So, ensure that you indulge in effective stress relief and management.
- Depigmented skin is highly sensitive to UV rays and unprotected exposure to the sunlight can trigger further spread. So, if you are stepping out of your home, apply and reapply sunscreen every two hours.
- Minimise exposure to cuts, burns, or abrasions, as these can trigger new patches, known as the Koebner phenomenon.
When to Seek Medical Help?
Including diet and home remedies might yield favourable results in vitiligo management. Still, they are never enough for treating the condition, repigmenting the white patches and causing remission of the symptoms.
You’d need to get proper medical intervention by consulting specialists at Kayakalp Global. Understanding the condition’s root cause and then curating a personalised treatment plan is crucial in seeing progress with the disease and preventing further spread.
You’d need to consider medical intervention when:
- You notice rapid spreading of patches.
- The condition affects your mental well-being.
- You experience irritation or infection in depigmented areas.
With Kayakalp Global’s integrated treatment approach blending Ayurveda with modern medicine, you get to treat your vitiligo from the root, thereby enabling you to get better control over the condition over time.
Final Words
Stopping the spread of vitiligo requires a comprehensive approach integrating diet, natural remedies, and lifestyle modifications. While these methods can be highly effective, consistency and patience are key.
If you’re looking for expert support in managing vitiligo, Kayakalp Global offers advanced treatments tailored to your needs.
Kindly call our team at +91-9599794433 to schedule your personalised consultation call with our vitiligo experts.
