Vitiligo is a Skin Disease Worthy of Attention

Highlights:

World Vitiligo Day is observed globally on the 25^th June, pop singer Michael Jackson’s death anniversary to raise awareness about this ignored skin disease
Vitiligo patients are subject to severe social stigma and sufferers also undergo psychological and emotional trauma as a result
Vitiligo is characterized by loss of normal skin color and light colored patches (more evident on darker skin) that progress over time. An estimated 100 million people suffer from this disease globally

Vitiligo-Symptoms-Diagnosis-Treatment-Research-Lifestyle
Vitiligo is a skin disease characterized by patches of unpigmented skin. Vitiligo is usually slowly progressive. Melanin is either destroyed or not produced.

‘Vitiligo should be seriously researched with aim for a cure and should be made a part of national healthcare programs’

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History of World Vitiligo Day

World Vitiligo Day was founded and first observed in 2011 by Ogo Maduewesi, founder of VITSAF (Vitiligo Support and Awareness Foundation) in Nigeria, and Yan Valle, CEO of the Vitiligo Research Foundation. The day was created to raise awareness and educate the general public about vitiligo, to educate health care personnel about care and treatment, as well as raise money for research and possible cure for the condition.

Since its establishment, the day is celebrated globally, raising awareness of the bullying, social stigma, disability and psychological trauma of the hundreds of persons worldwide who suffer from vitiligo.

World Vitiligo Day is also referred to as “Vitiligo Awareness Day” or “Vitiligo Purple Fun day”, which is the color chosen as Vitiligo Awareness Color. June25^th was chosen to mark World Vitiligo Day as a tribute to pop singer Michael Jackson, who died on the 25^th June 2009 and suffered from vitiligo.

Scientists Have Found Possible Cure for Gray Hair and Vitiligo
Loss of skin and hair color can be corrected by reversing oxidative stress with PC-KUS, a pseudocatalase, according to a team of European researchers.

Aims of World Vitiligo Day 2018

This year the campaign hopes to collect a million signatures addressed to the United Nations in order to

Afford recognition to this painfully ignored and debilitating disease with serious social and emotional complications
Urgent need to proceed with multipronged efforts aimed at newer and effective treatments and health-care education
Designate 25^th June as the World Vitiligo Day to be celebrated by the United Nations and its Member States annually
Integrate vitiligo into national health care systems
Raise awareness about the condition on a global platform
Collect statistics from countries worldwide on prevalence of vitiligo

In fact the campaign this year hopes to gain global attention by highlighting youth affected by the condition and communicate hope for the future generation about the concerted efforts of the World Vitiligo Day.

The organizers believe that recognition of the disease would be the first step for more sustained efforts to be taken in order to achieve the desired results and much needed social change.

Melanocyte Transplantation Restores Original Skin Color in Vitiligo
MKTP or melanocyte transplantation surgery has long term benefits of restoring pigmentation in vitiligo-affected individuals.

Ways in which Public and Health Personnel Can Raise Awareness

There are several ways we can do our bit to raise awareness about vitiligo

Share widely on social media such as Facebook and Twitter inspiring and educational messages using the hashtag #WorldVitiligoDay
Organize events within the community and speak on this condition and distribute information leaflets
Raising funds for research through sales of purple themed T-shirts, bracelets or other trinkets carrying catchy and educative messages
Get prominent personalities suffering vitiligo to speak about their journey and inspire countless sufferers to overcome this condition
Skin specialists and clinics can offer free check-ups and discounts for vitiligo patients on this day
Broadcasting programs on visual media with talks and discussions by doctors and experts; write-ups in the print media about this condition
Involve local administration to offer support for the campaign and make healthcare accessible to the poor and needy vitiligo patients
We can make personal contributions to the World Vitiligo Day campaign and show our solidarity

Novel Combination of Arthritis Drug and Light Therapy to Treat Vitiligo
Combining the medication, tofacitinib, with narrow band ultraviolet B light therapy helps restore skin color in vitiligo patients.

What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a skin disease that occurs when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in skin die or lose their function.

As a result the normal skin color is lost and the person develops pale, depigmented skin patches that can affect any part of the body, including the mouth, hair and eyes. It is more noticeable in people with darker skin.

The condition is progressive. Treatments are available that may improve the appearance of the skin but presently there is no cure and it is a chronic lifelong condition and sufferers are often socially stigmatized.

References:

World Vitiligo Day - (https://www.umassmed.edu/vitiligo/world-vitiligo-day-2018/about/world-vitiligo-day/)
Vitiligo Day- events - (http://25june.org/en/pages/campaign)

Source-Medindia