9.5-years-old young girl, Miss K.S. (Patient Identification Number - 10403) visited Life Force on 20th February 2008 with her parents for the treatment of vitiligo. She came from Sion. Her parents had shortly noticed some hypopigmented spots developing over her ear, near the nose, lower back (single spot), Scalp (2-3 spots), Ankle (Right> left) since the past two to three months. It was a clear-cut case of a bilateral symmetrical variety of vitiligo. There was no involvement of the MCJs (mucocutaneous junctions). There was a no positive family history of Vitiligo in the family. Thyroid Profile was done recently in February 2008 and it was normal. All the other general parameters were in the normal range.
She was currently on some immuno-suppressant in the form of local application since last two-three months. In the past, she had taken allopathic treatment for a couple of weeks but that did not give any relief. (Local application of Ointment Momate, Tacrolimus, Placentrax, Dicaris, & Zincovit supplementation)
She had a normal vegetarian diet, and she had a specific liking for junk food & salt and aversion for fruits & vegetables. She was thirstless, and she could manage with less than three glasses of water in a day. She would perspire averagely, and in general, she was very sensitive to hot weather. Her bowels and bladder movements were regular. She had sound sleep with occasional dreams of fighting with someone.
She had never suffered from any major disease/infection in the past.
Her maternal grandmother had D.M while her maternal grandfather suffered from MI. Paternal Grandfather suffered from MI & Grandmother had CA.
Her family consisted of her parents, both working & younger sister of 3-years-old. She was studying in the fourth standard when she visited Life Force for the first time.
Being the first child, she was pretty stubborn and headstrong. She had a very hot temper which used to express by shouting and pushing anybody who came in her way. Her parents mentioned about a peculiar observation that she would never listen to the parents. She didn’t obey what parents ask her to do. As per the attending physician, she was very hyperactive and restless in the consulting room. She seemed to be reserved who does not show her feelings, innocent, & sympathetic too.
Dr. Shah went through the entire case and examined the existing spots in the Wood’s lamp and observed if any new spots were on the verge of coming. He counseled the anxious parents about how the bilateral symmetrical variety has an inherent tendency to spread, so controlling the disease would be of prime importance. Dr. Shah prescribed her one of the research-based medicines to address vitiligo. He also advised parents to stop using the immuno-suppressants at the earliest. They were briefed about the dietary restrictions for vitiligo as well.
Two months later, her parents visited for the first follow-up. They mentioned that the disease was stable, with no spread in old spots. Dr. Shah advised them to get deworming done on a regular basis and he prescribed upgraded medicines for two months.
On her second follow-up on 16 May 2008, there appeared one-two new spots on right thigh since a month, which was expected as the patient had discontinued immune-suppressants. The spot on the scalp was stable. Spots over the ear and near nose and ankle were better.
From 20 June 2008-- 26 May 2009, new spots appeared on right knuckle, left leg, left ankle, hairs on the scalp & occiput has turned white, right knee, and left ankle. Old spots were stable no further increase seen in them.
In the subsequent follow-ups for the next six months, the parents were less anxious as the disease had stopped progressing further. The old spots had remained stable and the new spots which were appearing subsided on their own under the effect of the ongoing medication. They gave follow-ups regularly and medicines were sent to them promptly.
In January 2010, parents visited personally. The disease was stable and non-progressive. Her old photographs were compared and she was scanned in the Wood’s lamp as well. There were no new spots emerging. Her latest photos were clicked. Dr. Shah prescribed her a few of his research-based medicines for 2 months.
For the subsequent follow-ups, parents reported based on which Dr. Shah prescribed medicines. She was better by 70-80% as far as vitiligo was concerned
In March 2013, she had a new complaint of Eczema on her both eyes, cheeks, & face with dryness & itching. However, the vitiligo was stable and stopped progressing.
In the subsequent follow-ups for the next six months, the old spots of vitiligo improved by 90% and the new spots had stopped coming up under the effect of the ongoing medication. Eczema was also better by 60%. They gave follow-ups regularly and medicines were sent to them.
In Nov 2014, the patient came with a new complaint of LPP of the right shoulder with hyper-pigmentation.
In subsequent follow-up, the patient’s condition improved by 90% with regards to Vitiligo & Eczema but LPP was same. After re-analyzing the case, Dr. Shah had prescribed research-based medicines for 2 months.
In May 2016, all the complaints had improved. Vitiligo was under control and repigmentation was seen in most of the patches. Eczema was completely better & LPP was better by 70 %. The patient is still continuing the treatment with Life Force for the LPP& Vitiligo
In the last visit of March 2017, the patient visited Life Force (Chembur branch) with her parents. When compared with the old pictures, it was observed that the spots on her ears, nose, ankle, and scalp had re-pigmented. The spot on her cheek had re-pigmented completely. No new spots had developed over a period of two and half years. Parents used to see the spots daily, so they couldn’t appreciate the noticeable difference while giving the follow-ups on the phone, but they were convinced with the recovery when the doctor checked the spots under Wood’s lamp and there was no fluorescence seen (positive fluorescence is diagnostic of vitiligo)
CONCLUSION:
The prognosis of vitiligo depends on several factors, such as the age of the patient, extent, and location of vitiligo, past treatment was taken, and other factors. Spots which are bilaterally symmetrical, affecting mucocutaneous junctions, such as lips, eyes, fingertips, around the nails, genitals, bony areas, are difficult areas to re-pigment. Also, the bilateral symmetrical variety of vitiligo has a tendency to spread. The scope of homeopathic medicines in such cases is to control the disease from spreading further. But, the above case is one of the uncommon cases of vitiligo improving remarkably using homeopathy.
The case suggests a few important points:
1. Efficacy of homeopathy in a difficult pathology
2. Such a variety of vitiligo is never self-limiting, it progresses if not treated.
3. Chronic autoimmune diseases take a time to respond and call for a long-term treatment.
4. There is a scope of research and development in the field of homeopathy to know what exactly is curable or treatable in a disease.
- Written by Dr. Dhanashree, Associate doctor to Dr. Rajesh Shah