Despite a number of in depth studies being carried out on this subject, the real causes for the condition are still relatively unknown. Melanin is the substance that provides pigmentation, or skin color, to the cells that make up the skin. White patches, widely known as leucoderma, is a rare disease where one will notice white patches spreading over their skin at random locations. The loss of pigmentation may occur with a small patch that gradually spreads and becomes more noticeable.
Leucoderma has been seen to be more common in men than in women and normally develops once a person is over about 40 years of age. Studies have also shown that people with a lighter shade of skin color are more likely to develop the white patches that are symptomatic of this skin condition.
This skin dysfunction can be classified into three types. Vitiligo, Nevus Depigmentosus and Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis. Vitiligo can be best described as the formation of white patches on a person’s skin that is a direct result of emotional distress. Stress has been seen to be a key factor in the development of this condition and patients are also more prone to getting sunburns. Vitiligo is also known to run down family trees showing that inheritance is likely.
Nevus depigmentosus is rather different to vitiligo in that it does not develop as a result of emotional distress but more of a condition where there is an abnormality in the creation of melanin within the body. As a result, this condition will start from birth and gradually, as the years go by, become more visible.
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis is shown to be the gradual reduction in the layers of skin where at times one will have no or few cells containing melanin. As a result of no coloring cells, the skin itself will lose color in those areas. Although this condition is often confused with vitiligo, they are very different.
Loss of Skin Pigmentation
Other reasons for white patches on the skin are due to injury. Some injuries might damage the cells containing melanin (melaninocytes) too much and would render them unable to provide coloration to that part of the skin.
A few things to prevent the aggravation of the condition is to de-stress and relax. Consumption of sodium or salt should be completely stopped and use only mild medicated soaps for bathing. Eating figs and walnuts regularly, applying poultice made from ginger leaves over the patches all help in curing white spots.