Definition:
Melanin pigment disease:melanin is a naturally occurring pigment in our skin.The reason why some people have different colour of the eyes,skin and hair is dependent on the production of melanin in their skin.Special cells called melanocytes which make melanin are produced by our skin.
The number of melanocytes are fixed for every individual, however the genetic predisposition causes to produce either little or too much melanin.That is why some people are light skinned while others are dark.
Predisposing factors responsible for Melanin Disease:
REACTION TO SUN EXPOSURE:
Exposure to the sun makes your body produce more melanin which can actually protect your body from the harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Though you are protected but your skin has already turned dark or tanned excessively.So it becomes necessary to wear sunscreen and use a scarf.
Research and studies show that people with dark skin are less prone to skin cancers as compared to people with light skin.
TYPES OF MELANIN:
Eumelanin: gives the hair, eyes and skin a dark color.
TYPES: Black and brown
Brown hair is because of a mixture of brown and black eumelanin.
Blonde hair is because of a small amount of brown eumelanin and lack of black eumelanin.
Pheomelanin: gives pink color to parts of your body like the lips and nipples. Red hair is a result of equal amount of pheomelanin and eumelanin. You have strawberry blonde hair with both brown eumelanin and pheomelanin.
Neuromelanin:gives colors to neurons. It plays no role in coloured images you see.
Types of melanin pigment disease disorders:
Vitiligo:circumscribed lesions,milky white in colour and often symmetrical.Areas affected are face especially around eyes and mouth,hands and feet,axillae groin and genitals subjected to friction and trauma.Affected areas cause damage to the skin and produces depigmentation due to lack of melanocytes.
Melasma: a blotchy hyperpigmentation of the face with brownish patches on skin due to hormonal imbalance, contraceptive pills or sun exposure.
Albinism:small amount of production of melanocytes causes eyes and vision problems with white hair and skin.This is a congenital defect from birth.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT:
Homoeopathy has been proved very efficacious in the treatment of various pigmentation disorders especially vitiligo,melasma,leucoderma with no recurrence.Homoeopathic medicines are carefully selected after a proper individualized case analysis and evaluation based on the patient’s personal/professional and social relations in the environment.
CASE STUDY OF MELASMA
A 34 year old lady (househelp) came to me for multiple butterfly shaped brown patches on her cheeks.
My obesrvation showed that though being a househelp she was quiet well dressed for her position.Also she applied quiet bit of make up to hide her pigmentation.she looked very worried and embarrassed which is very unusual for a maid to show so much concern.
On further questioning about family and husband she revealed she had 7 children( she was very embarrassed while replying this and quickly wanted to collect medicine and leave)
Analysis and evaluation of the case showed her to be a lady of dignity.(she offered to pay full amount for consultation and didnt ask any discount though being a maid)She was embarrassed about her family status and didnt want to be questioned on that matter.
RUBRICS SELECTED:
Mind;Dignified
Mind;ailments from embarrassment
Mind;delusions-mirror- wretched she looks
REMEDY SELECTED:
NATRUM MUR 200 H.S DAILY FOR 7 DAYS.There was a significant improvement in a months time and complete dissappearance of pigmentation took 4 months.