World Vitiligo Day is celebrated every year on June 25 to raise awareness about vitiligo and related issues.
Vitiligo is a skin condition characterized by loss of skin color in areas. It occurs when melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color), are destroyed or stop functioning.
The exact cause of vitiligo is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve the immune system attacking pigment cells. It is likely that a combination of genetic, autoimmune, stress and environmental factors, such as sunburn, contribute to the condition.
It manifests itself as white spots on the skin, anywhere on the body, sometimes including the hair, eyes, and inside the mouth.
“Vitiligo can cause social isolation and discrimination due to visible changes in skin pigmentation. This negativity from society can significantly affect self-esteem and contribute to feelings of depression,” Dr Pankaj B Borade, consultant psychiatrist at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, told IANS.
A recent study published in the Journal of Dermatology of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that 89 percent of vitiligo patients in India report moderate to high depressive symptoms.
The high mental stress among patients is due to the prevalence of negative perception of vitiligo, the study revealed.
Dr. Pankaj said this mental distress can disrupt daily life and affect everything from social interactions to clothing choices.
“The study suggests that social stigma could be particularly strong in India, which could explain the higher rates of depression. The appearance of vitiligo plaques can be stressful and affect a person's body image. This can lead to anxiety, social withdrawal, and feelings of isolation, all of which are risk factors for depression.
"Beauty standards in India that place high value on fair skin make vitiligo even more challenging for patients," the doctor said.
Dr Sunil Kumar Prabhu, consultant dermatology at Aster RV Hospital, told IANS that there is no cure for vitiligo, but management strategies and regular consultations with a dermatologist can significantly improve the quality of life.
"Treatment focuses on restoring color or creating a more even skin tone, with options ranging from topical creams and phototherapy to surgical procedures in severe cases," he said, adding that sun protection, stress reduction and avoiding injury on the skin are key ways to prevent.
Vitiligo is a skin condition characterized by loss of skin color in areas. It occurs when melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color), are destroyed or stop functioning.
The exact cause of vitiligo is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve the immune system attacking pigment cells. It is likely that a combination of genetic, autoimmune, stress and environmental factors, such as sunburn, contribute to the condition.
It manifests itself as white spots on the skin, anywhere on the body, sometimes including the hair, eyes, and inside the mouth.
“Vitiligo can cause social isolation and discrimination due to visible changes in skin pigmentation. This negativity from society can significantly affect self-esteem and contribute to feelings of depression,” Dr Pankaj B Borade, consultant psychiatrist at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, told IANS.
A recent study published in the Journal of Dermatology of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that 89 percent of vitiligo patients in India report moderate to high depressive symptoms.
The high mental stress among patients is due to the prevalence of negative perception of vitiligo, the study revealed.
Dr. Pankaj said this mental distress can disrupt daily life and affect everything from social interactions to clothing choices.
“The study suggests that social stigma could be particularly strong in India, which could explain the higher rates of depression. The appearance of vitiligo plaques can be stressful and affect a person's body image. This can lead to anxiety, social withdrawal, and feelings of isolation, all of which are risk factors for depression.
"Beauty standards in India that place high value on fair skin make vitiligo even more challenging for patients," the doctor said.
Dr Sunil Kumar Prabhu, consultant dermatology at Aster RV Hospital, told IANS that there is no cure for vitiligo, but management strategies and regular consultations with a dermatologist can significantly improve the quality of life.
"Treatment focuses on restoring color or creating a more even skin tone, with options ranging from topical creams and phototherapy to surgical procedures in severe cases," he said, adding that sun protection, stress reduction and avoiding injury on the skin are key ways to prevent.
