Vitiligo refers to a hypochromatic dermal disease characterized by white plaques due to pigment loss in the local region of the skin. It is easy to be diagnosed and difficult to be treated and can occur in all ages. The etiology and pathogenesis are unknown and may be related to heredity, auto-immunity, auto-destruction of melanocyte and neurochemical factors. It is believed in
Chinese medicine that this disease belongs to the category of "Bai BoFeng (White Patches)" and "Bai Dian (Vitiligo)". This disease is mostly caused by internal injuries of seven emotional factors, stagnation of the liver qi, poor flow of qi, obstruction of the meridians and collaterals and secondary invasion of pathogenic wind and dampness in the muscle and skin, or by malnutrition of the skin due to deficiency of both qi and blood and disharmony of qi and blood.
Vitiligo attributed to two causes in TCM
Liver Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis
Qi and Blood Deficiency