World Vitiligo Day

World Vitiligo Day has been designated by the world so that people can learn about the rare disease, which affects about 1 % of the world's population.

Vitiligo - is an autoimmune disease with characteristic patches of skin that lose colour and have a tendency to peripheral growth and fusion.

Normally, skin and hair colour is determined by melanin, a natural pigment produced by cells (melanocytes). If these cells stop functioning or die, then white or milky white spots appear on the skin - these are the manifestations of vitiligo.

According to studies, half of patients with the disease have close relatives who also have vitiligo. The disease can begin unnoticed at any age, but in most people (70 % cases) it manifests itself before the age of 20 and progresses slowly. The disease most often appears in the spring and summer season.

There is no definite idea of the possible causes and conditions of vitiligo. The people around a person diagnosed with vitiligo should not be worried because the disease is not contagious.

What can trigger this disease?

• internal factors, the body's response to various infectious agents;
• nervous stress;
• diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract;
• frequent injuries;
• Excessive sun exposure;
• toxic and chemical agents;
• pregnancy.

People with vitiligo may have an increased risk of these pathologies:

• social or psychological distress;
• sunburn;
• eye diseases;
• hearing loss.

How is vitiligo treated?

If areas of your skin, hair, or mucous membranes are losing colour, see a dermatologist. The right treatment can slow down the discolouration of the affected skin, but it does not prevent recurrence.

The main problem with this disease is that it cannot be completely cured, it is only possible to stop the spread of the disease.

The active search for treatment methods continues.

For many patients, it is enough that the affected areas can be masked with specially selected cosmetics. Patients should protect their skin from the sun, as vitiligo spots are prone to sunburn.

In Ukraine, the Inkashi platform aims to unite people with vitiligo to support, inform and interact with medical professionals.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vitiligo/symptoms-causes/syc-20355912

https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/vitiligo