Melanin is the scientific name given to the natural dye produced by the body. It is this dye which lends color to hair and skin. The more melanin your body produces, the darker your skin will be. The less of melanin production, the lighter your skin will be. It is also the presence of adequate quantities of melanin which helps fight diseases such as skin cancer. There can be no "malfunctioning" of melanin as such. The only thing that is possible is that the body does not produce an adequate amount, sometimes depending upon which race you belong to. Leucoderma, or the white patch disease, is not caused due to a shortage of melanin in the body. As a matter of fact, there is no connection between leucoderma and melanin at all.
For most part, leucoderma, which also goes by the name of vitilgo, can be a hereditary disease. It is important for you to find out if it runs in your family. If so, then you should know that you have inherited it. If you have, it is important for you to come to terms with the fact that you may not be able to get rid of it completely. Even if you have not inherited leucoderma, just keep in mind that there are never any guarantees with any kind of treatment. You can follow some simple remedial measures to try and see if they work, however. Every night, make it a point to have a glass of warm milk with a quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder added. This will not only slowly and gradually heal your skin, it will also lead to general good health. Make and apply a paste of sandalwood powder, olive oil, Fuller's Earth and ginger juice to the patches. Just keep in mind that these attempts will take a long time to show even minimal results, so do not lose patience.
answered by M W