Leucoderma is a skin disorder which refers to the whitening of the skin. This is a condition in which there is a localized loss of the skin's pigmentation. Also called vitiligo, leucoderma generally manifests itself as white patches, or depigmentation.

White spots on skin are common in people who suffer from autoimmune diseases. One of these diseases is adrenocortical insufficiency.

The cause for vitiligo is not very clear, but doctors and researchers are beginning to believe that vitiligo resembles an autoimmune disorder. Which means that the pigment (the matter that gives colour to our skin) producing cells of the skin are destroyed by the body’s own antibodies (defense cells).

Excessive mental stress and worrying, burn injuries, defective perspiration mechanism, ailments like typhoid fever that affect the gastrointestinal tract, acute or chronic gastric disorder, worms or parasites in the alimentary canal and impaired hepatic function are among the major contributors to this skin disorder.

People with vitiligo develop white patches on their skin of irregular shapes and sizes. Vitiligo is more common on the exposed areas, for example, hands, face, neck and arms. It also occurs on covered areas too like genitals, breast and legs. In some patients, the hair may also turn grey early and in the inside of the mouth, white discoloration may occur.

Vitiligo is known in Ayurveda as "Shwitra" or "Kilaas". The ancient texts clearly mention that this condition is not contagious, and does not cause symptoms like other skin diseases.

Bavachi has a special place in vitiligo treatment. It is applied on the skin in the form of a paste or oil, and the affected skin parts are exposed for a few minutes to the mild rays of the sun, at particular times of the day. It is also given for oral consumption in the form of powder or tablets. Apart from treatments, the key to a glowing skin is the diet. According to ayurvedic principles of diet, one must find out the category under which their skin type belongs to; vata, pitta or kapha.

According to homoeopathic philosophy, vitiligo is not a disease in itself but an expression of an inner disturbed state of the body. Thus, the cure should occur at a level where things have gone wrong.

Radish Seeds and Vinegar: The paste derived from combining radish and vinegar have been noted to help alleviate this disorder. Around 35 grams of the powdered seeds should be mixed with vinegar and applied on the white patches.

Another treatment for the cure of white spots on skin is exposure to sunlight for long durations of time or artificial phototherapy. Cells that are responsible for pigmentation become active when the skin if exposed to light.

The mud bath is found to tone up the skin by increasing the circulation and energising the skin tissues. Frequent mud baths help to improve the complexion, clear spots and patches on the skin following skin disorders or due to smallpox. It is very beneficial in the treatment of skin diseases like psoriasis, leucoderma and every leprosy.