Can Drinking Milk After Eating Fish Cause Skin Diseases?

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Several misconceptions exist regarding vitiligo, a condition characterised by white patches on the skin.

Growing up Indian, your parents may have always advised you not to drink milk after eating fish. There is a general notion that when you drink milk after eating fish, you may develop phulbehri - a disease that causes white patches on the skin (vitiligo).

How true are these claims? Let's examine - Can Drinking Milk With Fish Cause Skin Diseases?

Can Drinking Milk With Fish Cause Vitiligo?

There is an old wives' tale that claims consuming milk, dairy products, or any other dairy products after eating fish is harmful to the skin.

Consumption of both fish and dairy products together is believed to cause uneven patches of pigmentation on the skin, also known as vitiligo. According to another theory, fish and dairy products are high-protein foods and enzymes of different types are required to digest them [1][2].

As a result of eating these two foods together, our bodies release a large amount of energy in order to digest them. This may result in gas, bloating, and other digestive problems.

According to experts, there is no scientific evidence that having milk after fish is harmful in any way to health. Experts say that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that these two should be avoided. It is an old wives' tale that drinking milk after fish causes leukoderma.

There is no science to suggest that fish and dairy products are harmful when combined. Curd is used in a variety of fish dishes, which in itself refutes the theory that they are harmful together.

In fact, one of the healthiest diets around the globe, the Mediterranean diet, includes a combination of fish, yoghurt, and milk.

Milk And Fish Don't Cause Vitiligo

Basically, vitiligo is a disease where there is discolouration of the skin in patches that usually grow bigger with time. It can affect the skin on any part of the body, as well as the hair and the inside of the mouth [3].

Melanin is normally responsible for determining the colour of hair and skin, but in vitiligo, the melanin-producing cells die or cease to function. Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, though it may be more noticeable for those with brown or black skin.

It is neither life-threatening nor contagious. Despite its positive effects, it can cause stress or make you feel inadequate [4].

While vitiligo treatment may restore colour to the affected skin, it does not prevent continued loss of skin colour or recurrence.

What Causes Vitiligo?

The cause of vitiligo is unclear, but it occurs when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) cease to produce melanin. These pigment cells are responsible for giving the skin, hair, and eyes their colour.

What Is The Treatment For Vitiligo?

Considering that vitiligo is a cosmetic condition rather than harmful to your body, treatment is not necessary. A healthcare provider can help you find a treatment option if your physical symptoms of vitiligo are affecting your emotional well-being or if the condition is widespread.

This procedure involves either restoring colour (re-pigmentation) or eliminating the remaining colour (de-pigmentation) to create a uniform skin tone [5].

How Can I Prevent Vitiligo?

Vitiligo can be caused by a variety of factors, so there is no known way to prevent it. However, you can reduce your risk of developing it by following these steps [6]:

• Maintaining safe sun exposure habits.
• Using a moisturiser on a daily basis is an important part of skincare.
• Protect your body from injury or stress.
• Manage any underlying autoimmune diseases.

Is Vitiligo Contagious?

There is no evidence that vitiligo is contagious. It does not spread from person to person through physical contact.

On A Final Note...

In the past, many people believed that eating white foods, sour foods, like citrus, or drinking milk soon after eating fish caused vitiligo. However, scientific evidence does not support the above theory. For some people, it may result in digestion problems, but that is all it is.

Further, there is no evidence that diet has an impact on the severity of the condition.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.