by Julius Ago
Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin pigment, are destroyed, leading to white patches on various parts of the body. Even the hair in affected areas may turn white. According to the Global Vitiligo Foundation, this condition affects 0.5% to 1% of the world’s population—an estimated 70 million people globally and 1 million within the country.
Common Challenges Faced by People with Vitiligo
Living with vitiligo presents a range of challenges, primarily driven by societal attitudes. Social stigma is widespread; people with vitiligo may face mental stress, depression, and even suicidal thoughts due to a lack of public awareness, leading them to feel isolated and rejected. In some communities, individuals with vitiligo are treated as outcasts, reinforcing a sense of exclusion.
Many people with vitiligo also experience low self-esteem, particularly when their condition affects visible areas of skin. This is compounded by misconceptions, as some people mistakenly believe the condition is contagious.
Physical challenges include heightened sensitivity to sunlight, as depigmented skin is more vulnerable to sunburn and, in severe cases, skin cancer. Additionally, vitiligo is associated with eye complications, such as inflammation of the iris or uvea, which can lead to poor vision or blindness in extreme cases. Hearing loss is another potential complication.
Treatment and Support
Although there is no cure for vitiligo, some medications, such as calcineurin inhibitors and corticosteroids, may help slow pigment loss. Recognizing the lack of public awareness, the government has established the Vitiligo Support Awareness Foundation to provide counseling, promote awareness, and enact anti-discrimination policies. This foundation supplies free sunscreen to vitiligo patients and advocates for social inclusion, reinforcing that discrimination against people with vitiligo—whether at work or in the community—is unacceptable.
The government also designated June as Vitiligo Awareness Month to increase understanding, following the lead of South Carolina in America. Additionally, communities have supported people with vitiligo by adopting multifaceted public awareness strategies to improve their quality of life and foster greater acceptance.
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