In the direction of empowerment: busting myths round vitiligo

Vitiligo is an autoimmune situation the place the physique’s immune system mistakenly assaults its personal pigment-producing cells. File {photograph}

In a world that idolises perfection, vitiligo tells a strikingly totally different story — certainly one of resilience, uniqueness, and rediscovered magnificence. Vitiligo is a pores and skin situation the place the physique loses its pigment in patches, turning areas of the pores and skin white because of the lack of melanin.

India is dwelling to one of many highest populations affected by vitiligo globally, with research exhibiting a prevalence starting from 0.46% to 2.16%. That implies that thousands and thousands reside with this situation — typically silently, and generally, undiagnosed, within the shadows of misconceptions.

What causes it?

Vitiligo is an autoimmune situation the place the physique’s immune system mistakenly assaults its personal pigment-producing cells. It may also be triggered by genetics, thyroid dysfunctions, or pores and skin trauma. It might probably happen at any stage in life — throughout genders, ages, and pores and skin tones.

Importantly, vitiligo just isn’t contagious, and isn’t brought on by poor hygiene.

Additionally Learn: Harnessing the intestine microbiome to halt vitiligo patches 

Therapy and help

There isn’t any everlasting treatment for vitiligo as but; nevertheless, a number of therapies will help to handle and scale back development of the situation. These embody: topical lotions to encourage re-pigmentation; phototherapy (UVB mild remedy). Surgical choices akin to mini punch grafting, blister grafting and split-thickness pores and skin grafting give glorious re-pigmentation in steady circumstances.

There are additionally choices for beauty protection for many who select it and sure oral drugs together with immunosuppressants, in addition to multivitamins, to arrest development and for repigmentation.

Consulting a dermatologist is crucial to resolve what’s finest for every particular person. Emotional help and counselling typically show simply as vital as medical care.

Busting myths

Fantasy 1: Vitiligo is contagious. 

Truth: It can’t be unfold by way of contact.

Fantasy 2: It solely impacts individuals with darkish pores and skin.

Truth: It happens in all pores and skin tones.

Fantasy 3: Vitiligo is brought on by poor hygiene.

Truth: Vitiligo is an autoimmune dysfunction.

Fantasy 4: Vitiligo is simply beauty. 

Truth: It’s a pores and skin situation that requires remedy because it impacts emotional and psychological well-being.

Engaged on normalisation and empowerment

To this point, many react to vitiligo with curiosity or stigma — just because they don’t perceive it.

World Vitiligo Day, noticed yearly on June 25, reminds us that consciousness can result in acceptance. And acceptance is step one in the direction of empowerment.

Allow us to begin conversations that remember variations. Allow us to elevate youngsters who see distinction as character. Allow us to create a society the place nobody has to cover their pores and skin to really feel seen. As a result of each shade tells a narrative — and generally, the brightest tales are written in white.

(Dr. V. Madhumitha is affiliate guide, dermatology, venereology& leprosy, Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, Chennai. drmadhumithav@gmail.com)