Celebrating World Vitiligo Day on June, 25th. Here are the tips for people with vitiligo, so they would no longer be ashamed or insecure with their looks. They have bravely accepted their vitiligo and come to embrace it as part of themselves.
Vitiligo is a chronic, acquired depigmenting condition of the skin, and sometimes of the mucosa, that results in the selective loss of melanocytes, which in turn leads to pigment dilution in the affected areas of the skin.
Vitiligo is the most common depigmenting skin disorder, with an estimated prevalence of 0.5–2% of the population in both adults and children worldwide. Vitiligo affects ethnic groups.
Clinically, vitiligo presents as patches of skin that lose their pigment and turn bright white. It can negatively affect self-esteem and can be hard to disguise, especially if it spreads over large areas of the body. and people of all skin types with no predilection. If you’ve been diagnosed with vitiligo, you’ll have areas of skin that turn white with defined margins. Vitiligo typically starts on the feet, hands, or face with small, barely visible patches. Pigment loss is progressive and can affect other parts of the body. This includes your hair, eyelids, and inside your mouth, nose, and ears.
Vitiligo can be associated with:
- Other autoimmune disorders such as thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), Celiac disease, or alopecia areata
- Genetic
- Environmental factors together with metabolic
- Oxidative stress and cell detachment abnormalities
While vitiligo sometimes accompanies an underlying autoimmune disorder, it does not affect your overall health. That said, it does affect your appearance and can induce depression or negatively impact your self-esteem.
You may experience a variety of emotions, including:
- Embarrassment
- Feeling self-conscious or insecure
- Emotional and psychological issues
- Anxiety, stress, and depression
- Shame, sadness, or anger
- Wanting to isolate and mood swings
- Worry about how others will react and treat you
Here are the tips that can help the vitiligo patient cope, take charge of your health, and maintain a positive attitude.
Find a dermatologist that you trust, who shows compassion, is willing to listen and take extra time with you, and has experience treating vitiligo.
Learn as much as you can about skin disease and associated autoimmune disorders.
Take charge of your health and participate in making decisions about your care.
Seek support from your doctor, other vitiligo patients, family, or a therapist.
Manage stress and monitor your diet and lifestyle to address underlying autoimmune conditions.
Wear sunscreen and protect your skin from the sun and artificial sources of UV light.
Avoid tattoos or anything that can damage your skin, which can cause a new patch of vitiligo to appear.
Seek support from a mental health professional who works with people with depression and anxiety, particularly related to chronic illness.
Talk to others who have vitiligo or other chronic skin conditions or autoimmune diseases.
Ask your doctor about local support groups or seek out online groups.
Ask your dermatologist to find concealing products that make you feel more comfortable in your skin.
Consider trying natural supplements including alpha-lipoic acid, folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin B-12 in addition to the treatments recommended by your dermatologist.
” I loved myself, and with that opportunities started to fall in my lap and I thank God for all of them. Try loving yourself. ” -Winnie Harlow-
References :
- Bergqvist, A. Ezzedine,K. 2020. Vitiligo: A Review. Department of Dermatology, AP-HP, Henry Mondor University Hospital, France.
- Ezzedine, K. at al.2016. A Practical Approach to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Vitiligo in Children. Department of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Mount Sinai St.Luke’s-Roosevelt and Beth Israel Medical Centers, New York. Pediatrics Volume 138, number 1, July 2016.
- https://www.apderm.com/beyond-skin-deep-coping-with-vitiligo/