The medico historical perspective of vitiligo (Switra).

The history of Switra is as old as the human civilization. The earliest medical literature has given the description of Switra in rgavĕda and Atharvavĕda. Switra is also narrated in Mahăbhărat and in Vinayapĭţika. A Roman physician known as Celsus first introduced the term Vitiligo in the second century A.D. Vitiligo is also known as Leucoderma. The history of psychosocial repercussion was described in Vedic literature and it is also found in our society. A population-based study was presented to understand the social implication of this disease. The detailed description of etiological factors and modalities of treatment is found in all ayurvĕdic classics. Bakuci (Psoralia cordifolia) is still continuing as a photosensitizing drug in the treatment of Switra from the time of Caraka.