MELASMA AND HOMOEOPATHY

Melasma or Chloasma is a common skin condition in which light to dark brown or grayish pigmentation develops on face. It can affect both genders. It is more common in women and people with darker skin- types who live in hot climates. Melasma usually becomes more visible in the summer.

Causes- The exact cause is not known. There are few factors are prgnancy, hormonal drugs such as contraceptive pill, and very occasionally medical conditions affecting hormonal levels. Some cosmetics, especially those containing perfume can bring on melasma. It can also be caused by stress. Sunshine and the use of sun –beds usually worsen any tendency to melasma. Melasma can run in families, suggesting an inherited tendency.

Symptoms- Melasma is simply darker than normal skin affecting cheeks, forehead, upper lip, nose and chin usually in a symmetrical manner. The neck and chest are rarely. the forearms can also be affected. Areas of melasma are not raised. The affected skin may itchy or sore.

Diagnosis- Melasma is usually recognized by the characteristics of the pigmentation and its distribution on the face.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES:

SEPIA OFFICINALIS –

-  Sepia is first the remedy for melasma.

- There are yellow-brownish spots on face, especially cheeks, forehead and cheeks and nose.

- A yellow saddle across the upper part of cheeks and nose.

- There is dark circle under the eyes.

- Facial discoloration during pregnancy, after childbirth and menopause.

- Sepia is suited to persons having dark hair, and rigid fibre.

LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM -

- Lycopodium is another effective remedy for melasma with grayish –yellow discoloration of the face, with blue circles around the eyes.

- Lycopodium patient always suffer from flatulent complaints.

- The person likes warm food and drinks.

- There is a special craving for sweets.

PHOSPHORUS-

- Acts beautifully on freckles that worsen during the summer.

- Tiny brownish spots appear on the face, notably on the nose.

- Heat may be felt in the cheeks which show the appearance of freckles.

- An unusual craving for ice cold things.

ARGENTUM NITRICUM -

- Argentum nitricum is prescribed for melasma where the face looks sunken, old, pale and bluish.

- Old man’s look, sickly, sunken grayish of muddy color. Skin is brown, tense and hard.

CADMIUM SULPH-

- Cadmium sulph is effective for melasma with yellow stains on nose and cheeks.

- The color varies from yellowish to brown. The colour gets worse from exposure to sun and wind.

- Itching of the face.

COPAIVA OFFICINALIS –

- Copaiva is prescribed for melasma where brown spots are seen on the face.

- Presence of circumscribed lenticular patches with itching.

- Mottled appearance.

CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES-

- Caulophyllum is prescribed where moth spots on forehead with leucorrhea.

- Discoloration of skin in women with menstrual and uterine disorders.

- Skin was hot and dry.

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS-

- The skin is pale, waxy, shiny, dark circle under eyes.

- Nettled with spider like veins.

- Skin looks dirty, dry with brown spots.

PLUMBUM METALLICUM-

- Yellow, corpse like spots on sunken cheeks.

- Skin of face is greasy and shiny.

- Face pale and emaciated.

SULPHUR-

- Sulphur is suited to dirty, filthy people, prone to skin affections.

- It is best for skin pigmentation after local medication.

- The skin is unhealthy, dry, rough and dirty.

- Old looking spotted face.

- The person feels itching and burning sensation on the face, worse from heat.

GUARANA-

- Chloasma on temples and arms.

- Intellectual excitement; uncontrollable sleepiness.

PLUMBUM MET-

- Yellow, corpse like dark brown liver spots; cheeks sunken. Skin of face is greasy, shiny.

- Face pale cachetic

BERBERIS AQU.- 

- Clearing off skin pigmentation to reveal clean, glowing skin.

- A prominent symptom for use of Berberis Aquifolium is the presence of yellow-brown patches on the face.

- The skin on the face may feel dry, waxy, rough or scaly.