Vitiligo, albeit affecting millions across the world, is a highly misunderstood disease, one that’s riddled with a lot of misinformation and myth
A common confusion that often pops up for people with vitiligo is wondering how patients should prioritise their self-care.
The impact of vitiligo often takes a toll not just on people’s physical health but also on their emotional well-being. While ongoing vitiligo treatment in india helps manage the symptoms well, numerous self-care strategies are vital in managing symptoms and preventing further progression.
If you have been diagnosed with vitiligo and are prioritising your self-care through diet and home remedies, this comprehensive Kayakalp Global will explore all those details.
How Does Diet Influence Vitiligo?
Even though diet might only influence 5-10% of your fully recovery from vitiligo, it is still not something you should be brushing to the side. The kind of food you are ingesting has a direct influence on the skin health and immune function, making it a crucial factor in vitiligo management. Explore Foods to eat in vitligo
Following are a few diet-related self-care tips to focus on:
1. Focus on Antioxidant-rich Foods
Oxidative stress, caused by free radicals, is believed to aggravate vitiligo. So, to better manage the symptoms, it is crucial to consume antioxidant-rich foods that helps neutralise these free radicals, protecting the skin from further damage.
- Best choices: Leafy greens (spinach, kale), berries (blueberries, strawberries), citrus fruits, nuts, and seeds.
- Benefits: These foods contain vitamins C and E, essential for skin repair and overall health.
2. Add Foods High in Copper and Zinc
Certain trace minerals, like copper and zinc, play a significant role in patients with vitiligo. Since these minerals are directly associated with managing the melanocytes’ function, consuming them in adequate portions is quintessential to support pigmentation and prevent further progression.
- Sources of copper: Lentils, mushrooms, cashews, dark chocolate, and shellfish.
- Sources of zinc: Pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, almonds, and fortified cereals.
3. Boost Phytochemical Intake
Phytochemicals like beta-carotene and polyphenols have shown promise in promoting skin pigmentation and slowing vitiligo progression.
- Best sources: Carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and green tea.
- Tip: Regularly consuming brightly coloured fruits and vegetables ensures you get plenty of these beneficial compounds.
4. Avoid Trigger Foods
While there’s no universal “do not eat” list, some people with vitiligo find that certain foods can aggravate their symptoms. For example, foods high in preservatives, processed sugar, and allergens often worsen the symptoms of vitiligo.
- Potential triggers: Citrus fruits, gluten, and processed snacks.
- Tip: Keep a food journal to identify any specific dietary sensitivities.
Note: Trigger foods will vary from one patient to the other. For example, a specific food that aggravates the spread of white patches for one patient might not yield the same results for you. So, being aware of these individual triggers is vital to manage the symptoms better.
Home Remedies for Vitiligo
Beyond the standard dietary tips that we mentioned, there are certain home remedies that you can consider adding to your life to better deal with the vitiligo symptoms.
Side note: Some home remedies often inflict negative impacts on a select few individuals, which explains why getting a thorough rundown with a specialist is crucial before you try any of them.
1. Turmeric and Mustard Oil
The combination of turmeric and mustard oil has a balance of anti-inflammatory properties with skin-stimulating properties from the oil, which often makes this remedy a popular choice for repigmentation and better vitiligo management. Explore How Can Turmeric & Mustard Oil benefits in Vitiligo Treatment.
2. Babchi Seeds (Psoralea Corylifolia)
Babchi seeds contain psoralen, which may increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, aiding in pigmentation. This is usually ground into a paste and then applied topically on the white patches on the skin. If you experience any irritation, it is a sign to immediately stop its application and wash it away before the redness and inflammation aggravate.
3. Ginkgo Biloba
Another natural remedy, Ginkgo Biloba, is loaded with antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects, which has proven benefits in stabilising the vitiligo, preventing further spread, and promoting repigmentation in some cases. Also Read: How to Stop Vitiligo Spread?, How to Avoid Vitiligo from spreading?
4. Red Clay and Ginger Juice
An often less talked about natural remedy you can also consider for vitiligo management is the mix of red clay and ginger juice. Red clay is rich in copper, which supports melanin production. When combined with ginger juice, the concoction often aids in repigmentation.
Lifestyle Tips for Vitiligo Management
Beyond your diet and the natural remedies, introducing changes to your lifestyle is also part of the vitiligo self-care routine. Managing vitiligo is much more than undergoing routine treatment; it focuses more on holistic healing.
Following are a few lifestyle tips to incorporate in your life for optimal vitiligo management:
- Vitiligo-affected skin is more prone to sunburn due to its lack of melanin, which explains the need for a good-quality broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to manage the symptoms.
- Stress can often trigger or worsen the symptoms of vitiligo by impacting the immune function. So, prioritising stress management should also be a part of your self-care routine.
- Healthy skin is directly proportional to your skin’s hydration, which explains why you must prioritise drinking enough water throughout the day.
- Certain chemicals in cosmetics and skincare products may irritate vitiligo-affected skin, so ensure that you opt for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products. Explore: Skin care routine steps to follow in vitiligo.
Heal Your Vitiligo with Kayakalp Global
Dealing with vitiligo is bound to take a toll on one’s physical and emotional well-being, which explains why self-care is greatly needed for optimal vitiligo management.
At Kayakalp Global, our priority is to help you get tailored treatment that not only helps with repigmentation but also ensures that you receive the care you need to overcome the complications of this autoimmune disorder.
From prescribing topical ointments to controlled sun exposure to phototherapy, vitiligo specialists at Kayakalp Global help you receive optimal treatment that complements your self-care regimen.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Vitiligo management is a journey that requires patience, persistence, and the right guidance. At Kayakalp Global, we specialise in holistic treatments that address the root cause of vitiligo using natural and Ayurvedic principles. Our team of experts provides tailored solutions, combining advanced therapies with dietary recommendations for optimal results.
Don’t let vitiligo hold you back from living your best life. Kindly call our team at +91-9599794433 to schedule your personalised consultation call with our vitiligo experts.
