Vitiligo is a skin problem where the melanocytes or the cells that produce the skin pigment melanin, stop producing pigment which causes white patches on the skin and though a lot of theories are postulated as to what causes this disease still, very little is known about the exact cause. It can be hereditary and a few nutritional deficiencies or stress and chronic conditions like diabetes and hypothyroidism can aggravate this problem and cause further mental distress but there are several myths associated with vitiligo that contribute to the social stigma which has restricted and hindered an individual's usual style of living as well as his or her involvement into society.
Vitiligo is a skin disorder which causes de-pigmentation of the skin. It is not life-threatening or fatal. It affects about 0.5-1% of the population of the world, and unfortunately has unwarranted social stigma attached to it and health experts have debunked myths including that vitiligo is caused by eating the incorrect foods at the wrong times, such as drinking milk right after eating fish or that persons with vitiligo are mentally impaired or vitiligo is contagious and incurable.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Purvi Shah, Consultant, Dermatology at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, debunked some common myths that include:
1. Vitiligo is related to leprosy or skin cancer.
This is a myth. Vitiligo is in-fact an auto-immune disease wherein our own immune system attacks the pigment forming cells (melanocytes), which get destroyed and hence lesser or no pigment is produced.