YESTERDAY, 25 June, marked World Vililigo Day for the skin condition known as vitiligo, or leucoderma. Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition which causes skin depigmentation.
The result of lack of pigmentation is milky white patches on the body. However, there is no change in texture. While this condition is usually present in the extremities of the body, it can appear anywhere.
There are a number of different theories as to what causes vitiligo. The most accepted theory is that the body destroys cells which produce melanin (what gives skin its colour) because it perceives it as foreign. Other theories suggest it is through genetic inheritance, self-destructing skin cells as well as nerve cells producing toxic substances that injure the skin cells.
The exact cause of vilitigo is still unknown. In addition, vilitigo can be triggered at any given time; however, stress and sun burn are linked to its causes. While vitiligo causes no physical pain, the psychological and social issues cause the real damage.
Dr Raboobee, a leading dermatologist at Westville Life Hospital, believes that people with vitiligo often go into a state of depression and feel excluded from society. The reason behind this is due to the common misconceptions which people can associate with vitiligo.
“Some people are even too afraid to shake hands,” said Dr Raboobee.
There is a social stigma attached to the condition, as staring, whispered comments as people walk by and, in some cases, not wanting to employ people with the condition are witnessed. This stigmatisation leads individuals to the psychosocial issues of feeling insecure around others, not wanting to be in crowds or meet new people.
“There are incidents where people will not even employ vitiligo patients,” said Dr Raboobee, stressing the matter. These sorts of incidents have the ability to lead vitiligans to feel excluded. However, they are not alone.
By simply typing the words ‘Vitiligo South Africa’ in Google’s search bar, you will find an abundance of support groups and forums in which people are able to tell their stories about vitiligo, seek advice from other patients and share products and treatments which they found helpful.
The most important element of these forums and discussions, however, is their ability to make people feel less secluded. The most popular website is Vitiligo Friends, a forum where Vitiligans are able to chat in private or groups about their experiences. This website, among many others, creates a free space in which the Vitiligan community is able to find a therapeutic way to express their feelings.
The final misconception is that of the Vitiligans. Upon speaking to the doctor, one thing was made extremely evident. There is a cure. The list of treatments seem endless.
“We [Westville Hospital] are able to provide every type of treatment of vitiligo, with the exception of cultured melanocyte grafting, but we’re working on it,” said Dr Raboobee confidently.
With so many creams, lotions and home remedies promising the cure of vitiligo and delivering very little, the doctor was confident that proper hospitalised care will deliver the solution.
