Vitiligo is a pigmentary disorder characterised by a loss of pigmentation in the skin leading to white patches. Even though the only problem is the change in the appearance of the skin, it can often be life-changing. Those afflicted with the condition and sometimes, even their families face social stigmatisation which can lead to low self-esteem, embarrassment, anxiety, frustration, and even serious depression. There are many myths and FAQs surrounding the disorder so we try to bust the top 10 myths about vitiligo.
Myths
Myth 1: Only dark-skinned people get vitiligo.
Fact: Vitiligo affects people of all races equally; however, it may be more noticeable in people with dark skin.
Myth 2: People with vitiligo are born with white patches because they have parents of mixed race.
Fact: Vitiligo is not related to the ethnicity of the parents and it may not be present at birth either. Even though it generally occurs in a young person before the age of 20, it may also occur in an older age.
Myth 3: Vitiligo is contagious. It can spread to you.
FACT: Vitiligo is neither contagious nor infectious, and it cannot be passed through contact. It cannot be transmitted via touch, saliva, blood, inhalation, sexual intercourse or the sharing of personal items (i.e. drink bottle, towels, etc). There is no reason to avoid people who may have the condition. Take part in World Vitiligo Day on June 25th and help to set the record straight by joining in to raise awareness on the nature of this disorder and helping to fight against bias and stigma.
Myth 4: Cause of vitiligo.
There are various myths and superstitions about vitiligo, for example – it is a punishment for wrongdoing, or something called past karma. Some people also believe that it has been caused by a deodorant or some food (see below) or that you can get it by patting dogs with white spots on their head!
Fact: These ideas are completely baseless and false. They arise due to fear or a lack of understanding of the disorder. The actual cause is the loss of the pigment melanin from our skin. This is a scientifically proven biological process, totally unrelated to the nature of one’s behaviour. However, some factors can increase or aggravate the condition e.g. new patches appear after a trauma like scratches/burns/cuts, emotional stress, etc. (For more details, you can read – All About Vitiligo)
Myth 5: Vitiligo is caused by some food.
There are a few common myths related to food. Some people believe that the condition is caused by drinking milk or other white foods. Since the other name for the condition is leucoderma which literally means ‘white-skin’, that might be a plausible source of this myth. Others believe that eating sour food such as lemons and oranges increase its spread. There is also one particularly prevalent myth that drinking milk shortly after eating fish causes the disease.
Fact: Vitiligo is an auto-immune disease that has no direct relation to food and it is not caused by eating the wrong combination of foods. The treatment is never aimed at avoiding any food, it is based on a proven scientific basis.
Myth 6: Vitiligo patients are inferior to others physically or mentally.
Fact: Please remember that this condition only affects the skin. It has no connection with any other body parts, organs, or intelligence level. Many people, due to lack of knowledge about the condition believe that people with white patches are not intelligent or that their bodies are unhealthy and dysfunctional. It is important to be educated about the condition so that we do not make that mistake. In fact, people with the condition and completely normal, and in fact, they are some of the most vibrant and helpful people in our society.
Myth 7: Vitiligo vanishes/heals by itself.
Fact: Vitiligo, like other auto-immune disorders, do not heal by themselves; they need proper and scientific care. The treatment is complicated and it requires years of specialisation and training. If left untreated, the condition may remain as it is or even spread gradually with the development of new patches or an increase in the size of existing patches. Ask your skin specialist for more information about the condition and the natural course of this condition.
Myth 8: Sun damage causes vitiligo.
Fact: Some people often believe that the condition may be caused by sun damage; however, there is no direct connection. People with the condition should avoid sun exposure because it can cause sunburn but it is not a mitigating factor.
Myth 9: Vitiligo is untreatable.
Fact: Medical science has advanced a lot in the last few decades. Treatments like immunomodulating drugs, steroids, Ultraviolet A, and the newer narrowband Ultraviolet B are available. In addition, there are multiple surgical options like split-thickness skin grafting and melanocyte transfer. The treatment is usually difficult and takes time; however, it is more important to treat the stigma than the disease as the mental impact is far more than the effect on physical well-being. For more information on the treatment options, you can read – Managing Vitiligo.
Myth 10: Vitiligo never heals
Fact: This is a partial myth. There is no permanent cure of the condition but repigmentation is possible using the latest technologies like Photo-therapy or different treatment options. Consult a skin specialist near you for more information.
Myth (Bonus): Vitiligo is related to other skin diseases such as skin cancer, leprosy, and albinism.
FACT: Vitiligo is a completely separate condition and not related to skin cancer, leprosy, or albinism. Individuals with albinism are born with little or no melanin, whereas vitiligo onset occurs when melanocytes are destroyed and it rarely encompasses the entire body like albinism. Skin cancer is a result of mutations in the DNA which causes cells to grow abnormally and uncontrolled. Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. It can cause nerve damage which can lead to weakness and gradual loss of function. Vitiligo, on the other hand, is not detrimental beyond the change in skin colour and does not cause any physical impairment. It is important to reach the correct diagnosis and not mistake one disorder for another which is why you should always consult a skin specialist when in doubt.