World Vitiligo Day: Understanding the Skin Condition
Annually, June 25 is celebrated as World Vitiligo Day to build global awareness about vitiligo. Vitiligo is a change of colour in the skin creating a variety of patterns on the skin from the loss of pigment. The date 25th June was chosen as it’s the death anniversary of Michael Jackson, a pop star who dealt with Viltigo all his life.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Vitiligo occurs when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing melanin — the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes colour. The involved patches of skin become lighter or white. It's unclear exactly what causes these pigment cells to fail or die. It may be related to”.
It can happen due to
- Disorder of Immune System
- Hereditary
- Sunburn or Skin Trauma
Vitiligo can appear on one or many parts of the body. While most symptoms are physical, it is the psychological symptoms which make the life of people with vitiligo difficult.
People with vitiligo often suffer from low self-esteem as they become overtly self-conscious about their appearance, resulting in a negative self-image. This can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Some may even go as far as to disconnect themselves from social situations as they feel it's better to stay locked inside rather than deal with people. This might cause problems in relationships, whether it be personal, romantic or professional.
So what can you do for people having vitiligo, first you need to accept them. You don’t have to remind them of their skin condition all the time. You have to interact with them as you interact with any other human being. You can also offer emotional support while listening to their problems.
You can advocate for their inclusion in different fields. Most people dealing with vitiligo need help getting jobs, especially in the media field. You can strive for them to be accepted in all mediums of employment.
Vitiligo is a skin condition and not a barrier. The barrier exists because society refuses to change its prejudices and biases. So, on this World Vitiligo Day, let us promise to create a better world.