Get an inside glimpse into Ronnie’s daily life. Check out her blog for information she would like to share with you on health lessons learned on my journey with vitiligo.
Vitiligo is a skin disorder in which white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. This happens because the cells that make pigment or color in the skin are destroyed. These cells are called melanocytes. The loss pf pigmentation can occur in small patches on one side of the body or large areas of the body. The patches can occur on your hands, face, arms and feet. Three percent of the population has vitiligo. It can also be hereditary, genetics plays a significant role with the condition.
Oxidative stress is one of the sources for Vitiligo to happen or occur in any one. Oxidative stress is the accumulation of the hydrogen peroxide in the skin. Each and every person will have this hydrogen peroxide in the skin and an enzyme which is known as catalase which helps in breaking down the hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen in the skin. People who find a problem in manufacturing this enzyme which is the catalase will develop Vitiligo.
The exact cause for vitiligo is unknown in the medical world although researchers think that vitiligo could be an autoimmune response, meaning that the body attacks itself and the melanocytes are destroyed and the pigment is lost. As you research Anthony William, known as the Medical Medium he will explain otherwise.
This is my story…
My dad and my twin sister both suffered from Vitiligo during their lifetimes. My sister started with Vitiligo at a younger age than I did. When she passed at the age of 28 she had pigment loss on her hands. My dad had Vitiligo on his legs and arms for most of his life.
When I first noticed a white patch on my arm 23 years ago, I thought I could go to the doctor and have him prescribe a cream that would take the white spot away. When I met with the dermatologist I was told that the condition was incurable and I should avoid sunburn which could trigger Vitiligo and hope for the best that the condition would not spread.
I was not given any hope or information on the condition.
Walking, swimming and resting in the sun was so much a part of my life and I couldn’t imagine spending summers with limited time in the sun.
About a month later I went to Florida on vacation and even though I used sunscreen while swimming, I did burn in some areas of my arms which then left white patches on my skin. I was devastated but again was told that there wasn’t much I could do about it.
The following year my dermatologist told me about UV light therapy treatments that were available at the doctor’s office and that I could set up two appointments a week before work to receive the treatments along with a topical steroid skin cream called Elidel. Little did I know at the time that I would receive light treatments for 5 years with little result. My skin would improve for awhile and then new white patches would appear.
Over the next 15 years I tried a variety of creams over the market with little or no result.
About 15 months ago after my husband and I researched Vitiligo once again we learned of a topical cream called C-Pseudo Catalase which is used with the Narrowband UVB lamp and has shown significant results of the skin.
I met with my family doctor to discuss this new treatment which he approved considering my history with Vitiligo. The Catalase cream is a special compound which is made at the PPC Pharmacy in Hatboro, Pa and I was fortunate in receiving the UVB light unit from the National Biological that was approved by both my family doctor and my insurance company who paid for the cost of the unit.
I usually use the lamp three times a week with the Catalase cream and follow up every six months to a year with my dermatologist.
The healing of Vitiligo is a slow process so after each treatment I would see dots of pigment developing through the white patches on my hands and arms. Any improvement is significant with Vitiligo.
Currently, my light treatments are on hold as I made a wonderful discovery again through research that have showed great results. The fruit papaya is such a simple home remedy that can be found in your neighboring grocery store and has helped my skin even more significantly than the light therapy! I rub the fruit on the white patches morning and night and let the juice from the fruit dry in a matter of a few minutes before washing the papaya off my skin. You may want to follow up with a skin lotion as papaya is a drying agent.
I’ve been so thrilled with the results that I see daily that I knew I had to blog to share this discovery with you.
Self care, sun safety and diet play a significant role in the healing of Vitiligo.
Use sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Sunscreen also minimizes tanning which makes the contrast between normal and depigmented skin less noticeable.
However, even though sunburn can increase white patches, people with Vitiligo may have natural protection against skin cancer according to BBC news. Visit www.nhs.uk for the full story.
Conceal imperfections. There are products on the market such as Smart Cover used to hide acne, age spots, birthmarks, tattoos and white patches from Vitiligo. The product is effective for people especially with patches or discolor on their face.
Please visit their website at www.smartcover.com. I also use NKD Organic Botanicals gradual tan lotion that covers white spots and gives the look of a suntan.
Vitiligo seems to respond most favorably to healthful living, whole foods, supplements, exercise and stress reduction. A good way to relieve stress is to meditate, listen to healing music before bed and when feeling anxious. Reiki is also a beneficial treatment for relaxing the body and stress reduction. Yoga and QI Gong movements can help improve joint flexibility, muscle strength, and range of motion. Qi Gong’s meditative elements and focus on deep, diaphragmatic breathing, it is also an effective way to manage tension and anxiety.
A balanced, well functioning body has the potential to correct and reverse ailments and heal itself. Ensuring your body, mind and spirit are nourished, balanced and well-tuned seem key to ridding the body of illnesses such as Vitiligo.
Keep your thyroid levels healthy and watch for for signs of low B12 levels which can be associated to Vitiligo. Gluten in the diet can also affect Vitiligo sufferers immensely.
I’ve discovered that wheat in my diet such as breads and pasta increase white patches of Vitiligo along with spicy and fried foods. I eat gluten free pasta and breads and try to avoid sugar, spicy and fried foods which has also slowed down the process of new white patches significantly. I also avoid alcohol with the exception of an occasional glass of red wine, preferably organic wine.
There is information available for further research on Vitiligo such as diet, supplements, juicing and related health concerns/causes for Vitiligo. Check out lookingdappled.com for stories of hope and fortitude living with vitiligo.
Anthony William’s book “Cleanse to Heal” covers healing plans for anxiety, depression, acne, eczema, Lyme gut problems, brain fog, weight issues, psoriasis, vitiligo & autoimmune. Visit him on Facebook for updates on the latest medical information and announcements for his webinars.
I currently eat a vegan organic diet, gluten free. I also drink 16 ounces of fresh celery juice every morning upon awakening. Celery juice is a vital part of my diet because it helps flush out old troublemaker foods from your system faster. It also assists with killing off bugs such as bacteria and viruses. I also drink about a liter of water a day. Drink about 30 drops a day of liquid papaya in about two ounces of water or papaya juice regularly to replenish the body of melanin cells lost from vitiligo. I use Hawaii Pharm organic liquid papaya.
Don’t be discouraged, be an advocate for your health and learn more about the ways to battle Vitiligo through research. There is hope despite what we are told in the medical world. Many doctors are not aware of how diet plays a vital role in curing Vitiligo.
Blessings