Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in which white patches of skin appear on the body. These patches represent lack of skin pigmentation. Our immune system begins to consider melanin (which gives pigmentation to the skin) as a threat so attacks it. As a result pigmentation is lost and skin looks white.
You can prevent the spread of white patches of vitiligo by maintaining high immunity all the time, which is doable but a tough job.
Vitiligo is sensitive to sunlight so you need to avoid direct sun exposure. It is not a contagious condition. You can touch these white patches.
Some people believe that bananas help in vitiligo. Let us examine this objectively in this article.
Table of Contents
- Can Banana Treat Vitiligo ?
- How to Use Banana for Preventing Spread of Vitiligo?
- Other Tips and Precautions
Can Banana Treat Vitiligo ?
The answer is “yes” and “no”.
Yes, because bananas and many other fruits and vegetables help to improve immunity which indirectly help in preventing spread of vitiligo.
No, because bananas can't treat the condition. The white patches that you already have will not disappear. Their spread can be prevented but removal by bananas is not possible.
Beliefs sometimes are very interesting. On one hand some people believe that bananas can cure Vitiligo, there is a tribe in Malaysia on the other hand which believes that red banana causes it.
Whom to believe then ? Believe in science.
In fact there is no cure for vitiligo as it is an autoimmune disease. Once you have one autoimmune condition other autoimmune conditions will also manifest. So maintaining high immunity is very important to deal with it.
Statistically vitiligo is a genetic disorder. Chances of a parent passing on the gene to one of more of their children are very high. Unless the gene is identified and modified, which scientists have not yet been able, you have to live with it.
There are some cases of successful treatment in homeopathy. So, you may try.
As far as bananas are concerned, use it by all means. If it can’t treat it, it can at least help in prevention of spread of vitiligo.
How to Use Banana for Preventing Spread of Vitiligo?
1. Eat Banana
Eat 1 or 2 ripe bananas daily. Bananas are rich in vitamins and minerals. Thus fiber and potassium rich fruit not only fills up your stomach but also gives you energy and improves your immunity.
You can make fruit salads with banana and other fruits of choice to bring in variety to your banana eating.
2. Banana Smoothies
Smoothie is a popular health drink. Banana is generally an ingredient in almost all kinds of smoothies.
Banana avocado smoothie is an excellent food for increasing immunity. In fact this smoothie is a full meal. You can skip one of your normal meals and substitute it with banana avocado smoothie. Top it up with nuts and you have a perfect healthy meal to improve immunity.
3. Banana Peel
Applying banana peel on your skin soothes your skin of inflammations. It will not treat vitiligo but reduce inflammation if any particularly after surgery exposure.
Other Tips and Precautions
Keep the following precautions in mind and act on it to deal with vitiligo effectively.
- Avoid direct exposure to the harsh sun as far as possible. Since there is no pigmentation on certain part of skin the UV rays of sun can inflamed and harm skin.
- Take Vitamin D supplements to maintain high immunity. Lack of sun exposure prevents vitamin D production in the body so supplements are necessary.
- Steroid based creams and injections are available for temporary treatment, but are not worth due to side effects. Consult and discuss with your dermatologist if you want to go for them.
- Be proud of your skin and don't let it impact your self esteem.
Vitiligo can be a way of life in which you keep looking for treatment solutions but be happy with the skin.