Photoshoot

We celebrated World vitiligo day 2016 in Emmarentia Dam and we had so much fun from posing and taking videos.

Top ten ways to Get Rid of White Patches on Skin, Vitiligo

In medical terms, white patches on the skin are known as vitiligo. This can appear on different body parts including the hands, feet, arms, legs, face, lips, and around the eyes and mouth.

The exact cause of this skin condition is still unknown. Experts believe that it could be an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system itself attacks the melanocytes or melanin-producing cells.

Gaone Tlhong

Other causes that can contribute to this problem are a genetic predisposition, overexposure to sunrays, excessive stress, and vitamin B12 deficiency.

White patches on skin can also be caused by superficial fungal infections like tinea versicolor, eczema, psoriasis, or other skin conditions.

Irrespective of the cause, the problem tends to be embarrassing and could be killing your self confidence. But don’t lose heart as there are some natural remedies that you can try at home to deal with this problem. Moreover, at times it tends to resolve on its own.

Here are the top 10 ways to get rid of white patches on the skin. Also, consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

1. Babchi

Babchi or Psoralea corylifolia is considered an effective Ayurvedic remedy for hypopigmentation. Its active components help reduce white patches on skin. It also has antipsoriatic properties that help treat psoriasis.

• Soak babchi (also known as bakuchi) seeds in ginger juice for three day. Make sure to replace the ginger juice every day. Then, remove the husks by rubbing the seeds between your hands, dry them in the sun and grind them to a fine powder. Consume one gram or about one-fifth of a teaspoon of this powder with a glass of milk daily for 40 days. You can also apply this power topically.
• Another option is to apply babchi oil on the affected skin areas and expose to sunlight for about 15 minutes (start with a short duration of sun exposure to check if the response is favorable). You can also use a combination of black seed oil and babchi oil.

2. Ginkgo Biloba

Research indicates that ginkgo biloba can help treat vitiligo because of its antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. It can help reduce the progression of the disease and also induce repigmentation.

The general dosage is 40 to 80 mg of ginkgo biloba, three times a day. To help determine the proper dosage and suitability of this herb for you, consult your doctor.

3. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil soothes the skin and heals chronic inflammation. It helps in the treatment of vitiligo because it promotes repigmentation of the skin. Plus, it has antifungal and antibacterial benefits.

Simply apply extra-virgin coconut oil on the white patches two to three times a day at least for a few weeks.

4. Ginger

According to Chinese herbalism, ginger can be used as an excellent natural remedy for vitiligo. It improves blood circulation and helps with melanin production.

• Place a freshly cut slice of ginger root on the affected area. Leave it on until the ginger dries. Do this once or twice daily for a few weeks or until you see improvement.
• You can also extract the juice from one large ginger root and a handful of fresh mint leaves. Drink it daily for a few weeks.

5. Copper

Copper is believed to help aid in the production of melanin. It is believed that copper is required by the enzyme tyrosinase which in turn is required for the synthesis of melanin pigment from tyrosine.

1. Pour drinking water in a copper pot or a copper vessel and let it sit overnight at room temperature. (Do not put this water in a refrigerator as it can destroy its properties and make it less effective.)
2. In the morning, the water will be infused with copper ions that aid the production of melanin.
3. Drink this water on an empty stomach every morning.

6. Red Clay

Red clay, too, has high copper content that can help restore skin pigment and get rid of white patches.

1. Mix equal amounts of red clay and ginger juice.
2. Apply this paste on the affected areas
3. Leave it on until it dries completely and then wash it off.
4. Repeat daily for a few months.

7. Radish Seeds

Radish Seeds

Applying a paste of ground radish seeds and vinegar is popular Ayurvedic remedy for white patches on skin caused by vitiligo or leukoderma.

1. Grind about 25 grams of radish seeds into a coarse powder.
2. ix it with two teaspoons of vinegar to make a paste.
3. Apply this paste on the affected area for 30 minutes, and then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
4. Do this daily for a few months.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar

The antimicrobial properties of apple cider vinegar can destroy the fungi that could be causing white patches on your skin. It is also believed to help with low stomach acid associated with vitiligo.

• Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water. Use this mixture to wash the affected skin twice a day. Do this daily for about a month. The white spots will start changing color and the problem will disappear soon.
• Also, drink a glass of water mixed with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar daily before meals.

9. Turmeric

Turmeric

Turmeric is another ingredient that can be used to get rid of white skin patches. A mixture of turmeric and mustard oil is considered particularly beneficial in this regard.

• Mix five teaspoons of turmeric powder with 250 milliliters or about one cup of mustard oil. Apply this mixture to discolored areas of your skin. Follow this remedy twice daily for about a year for the most effective outcome.
• Another option is to make a paste of turmeric and neem leaves. Apply it on the affected area. The antiseptic property of this mixture makes this a good option if the problem is caused by some kind of infection.

10. Neem

Neem leaves

Neem is excellent for treating skin problems. It is also believed to help restore skin pigmentation. When taken internally, it also works as a good blood purifier and immune booster.

• Mix some crushed neem leaves and enough buttermilk to make a paste. Apply it on your white patches and leave it on until it dries completely. Finally, wash it off. Do this daily at least for a few weeks.
• Another option is to daily apply neem oil on your skin after diluting it. So, you can mix a few drops of neem oil in one teaspoon of coconut oil or any other carrier oil and then apply.
• You can also drink neem juice or take this herb in supplement form daily for a few months. Another option is to eat four neem leaves three times a day, preferably before meals.

In addition to these remedies, pay attention to your diet. For instance, those suffering from vitiligo are suggested to avoid fruits like berries because they contain hydroquinone which works as a a natural depigmenting agent.

As vitiligo is often associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, you can include cabbage, spinach, dried beans, dried figs, walnuts, chickpeas, and other foods rich in vitamin B12, folic acid, and zinc. However, avoid non-vegetarian foods, especially red meat and seafood.

Resources:

http://www.top10homeremedies.com/

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/11/21

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9394983

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3221203/

NB. The information shared on this blog isn't endorsed as correct and we are not medical practitioners. Any home remedies or suggested medication isn't endorsed by Beyond Vitiligo. For further information on the skin condition please consult your dermatologist.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Gaone talks about her life with Vitiligo and Vitiligo Awareness in South Africa

New treatment for Aussies with vitiligo

Vitiligo doesn't discriminate, no matter if you're black or white.

The autoimmune condition, which affects 100 million people worldwide, attacks a person's pigment cells and turn the skin white.

It affects all ethnicities and its most famous patient was pop star Michael Jackson.

Many Australians living with the condition, unlike the King of Pop, do their best to shy away from the spotlight and suffer in silence.

Maryrose, who didn't want her last name published, says the condition has affected her confidence and social life.

"I wanted to hide it all the time. It wasn't me," she told AAP on Wednesday.

"I cover when I go out. I don't go to the beach anymore unless I am surrounded by friends who support me."

Maryrose has been having specialised laser treatment three times a week for more than 10 years, despite an increased risk of skin cancer, to help return pigment to her skin.

The cause of the disease is unclear, but it is not genetic and is believed to be caused by a "badly behaved" immune system.

But doctors are now bringing advanced technology to Australia to help patients combat the condition.

First used in Europe over a decade ago, non-cultured cellular epidermal grafting helps return colour to white patches.

Dermatologist Michelle Rodrigues said the treatment has a 70 to 80 per cent success rate on selected patients.

Victoria will be the first state to offer the new technology.

The announcement came on World Vitiligo Day, first observed on June 25, 2011 to coincide with the date of Jackson's death.

Article shared from:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/ 

New technology of Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Vitiligo Makes Recovery Dreams Come True

Binzhou Huahai Vitiligo Hospital developed a new technology successfully. The new technology "black and white cured together" made a breakthrough in the treatment of vitiligo.

Beijing ,China (PRWEB) April 14, 2014

The new technology of vitiligo treatment--"black and white cured together" technology was approved and     promoted by the state administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China. Since the national               promotion in October 2009, it has successfully serviced hundreds of patients throughout almost                               114 countries around the world, including the United States, Britain, Japan, Jordan, South Africa and so on.               The success of the technological promotion rewrote the history of vitiligo treatment and brought good                 news to patients with vitiligo.

Vitiligo has been recognized as one of most intractable skin diseases in the world. Its pathogenesis is       complex, and treatment methods are numerous. The traditional therapy treatment only aims at vitiligo parts.           By this way, although it can alleviate vitiligo partly, there are still some limited problems, such as a long       treatment cycle, large side effects, and a high recurrence rate. In order to meet the general patients’ urgent demands of a more scientific, effective and safer treatment technology, the medical community is constantly exploring new options.

Binzhou Huahai Vitiligo Hospital’s technology of vitiligo treatment--"black and white cured together", which is   based on traditional Chinese medical theory and combined with modern medicine, by summing up the   experience of vitiligo clinical trials, has achieved great success. The analysis of the etiology and pathogens     about vitiligo has carried on the systematical research, making a breakthrough in vitiligo treatment with this         new technology. The technology shows that it can activate tyrosine activity, regulate the immune system,       improve micro-circulation, promote the melanin cell adhesion and migration and melanin synthesis. Clinical observation showed that the technology has the characteristics of quick effect, short course of treatment,             high cure rate, and green security. It has a magic effect on different types of vitiligo, especially vitiligo with                   large area .This technology’s curative effect has achieved an international leading level. It solved the difficult problem of vitiligo effectively and created a new era of scientific treatment of vitiligo.

Binzhou Huahai Vitiligo Hospital has a reputation for the treatment of vitiligo. It is the vitiligo research and demonstration base of the United Nations’ related institution. And by the support of China’s ministry of civil     affairs, Huahai Vitiligo Hospital has achieved the name of “national advanced unit of self-discipline and good     faith construction”. Moreover, the state administration of traditional Chinese medicine approved it as a             "national excellent institutions of traditional Chinese medicine, under the Chinese ministry of science and technology torch high-tech torch plan, the core technology award a number of national patients, and be         included in the national non-material cultural heritage protection projects. Deputy speaker of the Ninth National People's Congress standing committee, Jiang Zhenghua, vice chairman of CPPCC  (the Chinese people's political consultative conference nine conference) Sun Fuling , give the technology high admission.                       And a number of authoritative medias in China central television reported the hospital’s vitiligo treatment technology.

Apple Cider Vinegar Restoring Pigment?!

Omar Shahid has been using Apple Cider Vinegar to restore his pigment, below he shares his experience

Hey so just noticed something while shaving, the brown spots on my face are definitely getting darker! There is no question about it. I've been applying apple cider vinegar to my face twice a day, and the rest of my body once. I'm also drinking two tablespoons diluted in a bottle of water daily for general health. I've attached some pics at the bottom.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5875/15-Reasons-to-Use-Apple-Cider-V... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/16/apple-cider-vinegar-beauty... http://www.stylelist.com/read/apple-cider-vinegar-and-its-magical-b...

I got a gallon of the stuff for around $5 from the grocery store, and pour it into a plastic water bottle. For the last two days I'm sitting the bottle on top of the north negative pole of a very strong neodymium magnet. (I'm doing the same with homeopathy) Not sure if this makes a difference. Another important thing to point out is a few times I shaved and immediately applied the apple cider vinegar to my face, and it stung like hell, like aftershave. That may be what triggered the repigmentation. Seeing as how I don't want my pigment back, but an even white skin tone (Since I'm mostly white now after depigmentation), I'm not applying it topically anymore. I'll still drink it though. Hope that helps. Has anyone tried this stuff for repigmenation?

Vitiligo Treatments

by Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, MD , Ph.D

Myths About Vitiligo Treatment

Three myths about the treatment of vitiligo prevail in the medical profession.

The first myth is that treatment of vitiligo is "impossible." This is clearly not true and the majority of patients can achieve good results.

The second myth is that oral psoralens, which form the basis for some vitiligo treatments are "toxic to the liver." Oral psoralens are not toxic to the liver.

The third myth is that psoralen + UVA (PUVA) treatments for vitiligo "cause cancer of the skin." When used to treat vitiligo, PUVA therapy requires only a limited number of treatments-approximately 150 in number that has not been shown to cause skin cancer. By comparison, PUVA treatments for psoriasis can be as many as double the number for vitiligo. It has been shown that a small percentage of patients who receive more than 250 PUVA treatments can develop treatable squamous cell cancers of the skin.

Vitiligo Treatment Options

Four options are currently available for the treatment of vitiligo: sunscreens; cover-up; restoration of normal skin color; and bleaching of normal skin with topical creams to remove normal skin pigment to make an even color.

Sunscreens

The two goals of sunscreen treatments are: to protect unpigmented involved skin from sunburn reaction and to limit the tanning of normal pigmented skin. The sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreens should be no less than SPF 30, as this grade blocks not only erythema, but also the affects of sunlight on the DNA of the skin cells. Sunscreen treatment skin phototypes 1, 2, and sometimes 3 (those who burn, then tan to some degree).

Cover-up

The goal of cover-up with dyes or make-up is to hide the white macules so that the vitiligo is less visible. Self-tanning lotions and camouflage are quite helpful for some patients.

Restoring Normal Skin Color

Restoration of normal skin color can take the form of spot treatments or whole body treatment.
Spot Treatment: Topical Corticosteroid Creams
Initial treatment with certain topical corticosteroid creams is practical, simple, and safe. If there is no response in 2 months, it is unlikely to be effective. Physician monitoring every 2 months for signs of early steroid atrophy (thinning of the skin) is required.

Spot Treatment: Topical Oxsoralen

Much more complicated is the use of topical Oxsoralen (8-MOP). Oxsoralen is highly phototoxic (likely to cause a sunburn), and the phototoxicity lasts for 3 days or more. This should be performed only as an office procedure, only for small spots, and only by experienced physicians on well-informed patients. As with oral psoralens, 15 or more treatments may be required to initiate a response, and 100 or more to finish.

Spot Treatment: Mini Grafting

Mini grafting, which involves transplanting the patient's normal skin to vitiligo affected areas, may be a useful technique for refractory segmental vitiligo macules. PUVA may be required following the procedure to unify the color between the graft sites. The demonstrated occurrence of Koebnerization in donor sites in generalized vitiligo restricts this procedure to patients who have limited skin areas at risk for vitiligo. "Pebbling" of grafted site may occur.

Whole Body Treatment: PUVA Photochemotherapy (Oral Psoralens + UVA Irradiation)

For more widespread vitiligo, treatment with oral psoralen + UVA (PUVA) is practical. This may be done with sunlight and trimethylpsoralen (Trisoralen) or with artificial UVA (in the doctor's office or at an approved phototherapy facility) and Trisoralen or Oxsoralen-Ultra. 

Ophthalmologic examination and ANA blood tests are required before starting PUVA therapy. Outdoor therapy may be initiated with 0.6 mg/kg Trisoralen followed 2 hours later by 5 minutes of New England sunlight (less in southern regions). Treatments should be twice weekly, not 2 days in a row, and sunlight exposure should increase by 3 to 5 minutes per treatment until there is a sign of response, and in a few this causes koebnerization. Individualization is required: treatment options are either 0.4 mg/kg of Oxsoralen-Ultra (well absorbed, efficient potentially very phototoxic, significant risk of nausea) or 0.6 mg/kg of Trisoralen (variably absorbed, not very phototoxic, little nausea). 

Initial UVA exposure should be 1.0 J and increments (twice weekly, not two days in a row) 0.5 (Oxsoralen-Ultra) to 1.0 (Trisoralen) J per treatment until there is evidence of response of phototoxicity. The later is the sustaining UVA dose until reasonable repigmentation has been established. 

PUVA is up to 85% effective in over 70% of patients with vitiligo of the head, neck, upper arms, legs, and trunk. Distal hands and feet are poorly responsive and alone are not usually worth treating. Genital areas should be shielded and not treated. Macules that have totally repigmented usually stay in the absence of injury/sunburn (85% likelihood up to 10 years), macules less than fully repigmented will slowly reverse once treatments have been discontinued. Maintenance treatments are required. 

Risks of treating vitiligo with PUVA include nausea, GI upset, sunburn, hyperpigmentation, and acute dryness. We advise against oral PUVA treatments for children under age 10. Treatment is most likely to be successful in highly motivated patients who clearly have reasonable objectives and understand the risks and benefits. While PUVA is not a cure, most patients who are responding well to treatment are not at the same time developing new vitiligo macules.

Topical Creams To Remove Normal Skin Pigment And Unify Skin Color

The goal of depigmentation is to unify skin color in patients with vitiligo virtually all over the body and those who have failed PUVA, who cannot use PUVA, or who reject the PUVA option. Bleaching with monobenzylether of hydroquinone 20% cream (Benoquin) is a permanent, irreversible process. Since application of Benoquin may be associated with distant depigmentation, Benoquin cannot be used to selectively to bleach certain areas of normal pigmentation, because there is a real likelihood that new and distant white macules will develop over the months of use. Bleaching with Benoquin normally requires twice-daily possible side effects. Uncommonly, contact dermatitis is observed. The success rate is about 93%. Periodically following sun exposure, an occasional patient will observe focal repigmentation, which will require a month or so of local use of Benoquin to reverse.

The end-stage color of skin bleached with Benoquin is the same chalk-white as the vitiligo macules. Most patients are quite satisfied with uniformity and the finality of the results. An occasional patient may wish to take 30 to 60 mg beta-carotene to impart on off-white color to the skin. The only side effect of beta-carotene is the uncommon risk of diarrhea.

Patients who undergo bleaching are at risk for sunburn. They should avoid midday sun exposure and should use a high-SPF sunscreen. To date no long-term untoward effects have been reported from the use of monobenzylether of hydroquinone for skin bleaching.

Why Is It Important To Treat Vitiligo?

Many physicians, and even some dermatologists, fail to recognize the profound social and psychological impact vitiligo may have on its victims. Vitiligo is painless and non-pruritic and, unlike psoriasis, it is not associated with shedding of skin scales. But the disfigurement of vitiligo, accentuated among persons with brown or black skin, can be devastating.

The recent media publicity about Michael Jackson's battle with vitiligo has helped raise public awareness of the disease. While vitiligo is worldwide and affects all races equally, it is a particularly troubling social problem for persons whose normal skin color is brown or black. The contrast between brown skin and white vitiligo spots can create a grotesque "harlequin" appearance. The same kind of disfigurement can become a problem for vitiligo victims with normally fair skin who tan deeply during the summer months or, among those who live in sunny climates, throughout the year.

In India, vitiligo, or "leukoderma" as it is called there, is regarded as "white leprosy." The late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru ranked vitiligo as one of three major medical problems in India, alongside malaria and leprosy. A woman in India cannot marry if she has even one spot of vitiligo, and if a woman develops vitiligo after marriage it is considered grounds for divorce.

It is no wonder vitiligo patients can turn aggressive, feel a sense of shame, or become withdrawn and resentful. For many, vitiligo is not just a cosmetic problem-it is a major social dysfunction that seriously curtails their ability to lead a normal work, social or married life. Reversal of the white spots and restoration of normal skin color is therefore the primary hope for all these disfigured vitiligo patients.

Bibliography

Fitzpatriack TB, Eisen AZ, Wolff K, etal. "Disorders of Pigmentation" 

In: Dermatology In General Medicine, 4th ed., edited by TB Fitzpatrick et al. New York, McGraw-Hill, 1993.

Fitzpatrick TB, Johnson RA, Woff K etal. "Vitiligo" In: Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, 3rd ed. New York, McGraw-Hill, 1997. Ortonne JP. Mosher DB. Fitzpatrick TB. Vitiligo and Other Hypomelanoses of Hair and Skin. New York, Plenum Publishing Corporation, 1983.

Happy World Vitiligo Day

25 June marks the day when Beyond Vitiligo was launched, the day when we celebrate and remember those  with vitiligo and that's when the legend Micheal Jackson passed away. BV was formed as a self funding organisation and today the organisation is slowly growing.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite volunteers who would like to work with us in creating awareness and educating the communities on vitiligo. Wishing you all a Happy World Vitiligo Day and lets celebrate this day!!!

Gaone Tlhong

What is happening to my skin?

We all have embarrassing questions that we’re too afraid to ask. Have no fear. In this weekly series Dr Rakesh Newaj tackles vitiligo.
Vitiligo is a common skin disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes (lips, genitals). Some studies have shown that up to 2 % of the population can be affected from this disease. Vitiligo is characterised by depigmented patches all over the body and has an average age of onset of 20 years. It can however present at any age and in most cases is progressive.

The reason for its appearance is very complex and based mainly on theories. In brief, an insult to the colour producing cells of the skin (melanocytes), leads to their destruction and thus appearance of depigmented patches on the skin. There are several reasons put forward and the most common ones are listed in the table below:

Autoimmune

Antibodies produced by the body, cause destruction of the melanocytes quite similar to other autoimmune diseases, e.g. thyroid disease.

Melanocyte

The colour producing cells have a structural defect which leads to their early death, hence the patches
Free radicals
Oxidative stress from the accumulation of free radicals can lead to the destruction of the melanocytes
Nerves
The nerve fibres in the skin may be sending abnormal signals that cause destruction of the pigment producing cells
Vitiligo most commonly affects the hands, forearm and face. The mucous membranes including the lips, genitals and gingiva can also be involved. In some areas the hairs become grey, which points to a poor prognosis.
There are different types of Vitiligo based on the different shades of discoloration. However an easier working classification remains the localised type, generalised or universal disease.

1. The localised type is usually a single patch covering a small area of the skin. It can be distributed along the area supplied by a particular nerve . This type of Vitiligo tends to stay stable and can be treated by surgical options.
2.  Generalised Vitiligo is much more common. It affects various areas of the body and commonly involves the fingers, lips, face and eyelids. Rarely, this variety is associated with autoimmune disease like pernicious anaemia, diabetes and thyroid disease.
3. Universal Vitiligo affects most of the body surface area. In these cases, patients should consider bleaching the rest of the pigments to have a uniform body colour. The famous singer, Michael Jackson, suffered from this variety.

Treatment

The latest international guidelines still advocates the early treatment with potent corticosteroids as the first choice. The best success rate is achieved when it is combined with narrowband UVB sessions and results can be expected within three months. Areas around the eyes can be treated with tacrolimus, due to its better safety profile. Other topical treatments that are commonly used as alternatives are calcineurin inhibitors and Khellin creams. Calcineurin inhibitors give good results when combined with NUVB. However its use is limited due to costs and can be only on small body surface. Khellin cream is also effective and can be used in combination with corticosteroids and NUVB for maximum benefit.

The most frequently used light therapies are narrowband UVB (NUVB) and excimer laser. The NUVB is very safe and can be administered to the whole body. It is very affordable, safe and gives good result. Patients can be administered 250-350 sessions with little side-effects. In my clinic, a combination of NUVB, corticosteroids and Khellin cream achieves the best results for my patients. As for the excimer laser, it can treat only small surfaces and can be very costly. It is useful around the eyes.
Surgical procedures are gaining popularity in the treatment of localised and stable disease. Again most of them are combined with light therapy to stimulate the proliferation of the melanocyte. Some of the procedures are discussed below:

1. Punch grafting is the transfer if small punches of normal skin to a depigmented area. Approximately 30% of the depigmented area is grafted and then NUVB is used to stimulate the melanocytes. It can be performed on small surface areas.
2.  Suction blister grafting is a technique, whereby only the superficial layer of normal skin is separated by a producing a blister. This skin is then grafted onto the abnormal area.
3. Needling is a procedure where small needles are used at the edges of depigmented patches to create bruises. These bruises push the normal melanocytes into the affected areas. Several sessions are needed and light therapy is used in between to stimulate the proliferation of the cells.
4.  Smashed skin grafting is where superficial skin from a donor site is crushed into small pieces and grafted onto the Vitiligo patch. Good results can be obtained if the technique is well mastered.
5. Autologous melanocyte grafting is performed in specialised centres only. The colour producing cells are harvested, treated and cultured. This is injected into the depigmented region and the process can be repeated a few times. It is very costly and advanced equipment and good laboratory technical staff is needed.

In some cases of progressive disease, the use of oral steroids can stop the progression of the disease. It is used in very low doses for a few months. However, it only stops the disease from getting worse and does not help in the repigmentation process of already affected areas. At times, stable patches can be concealed with cosmetic camouflage and tattooing. The tattooing can achieve a near normal skin colour. However in cases of universal disease, the only option remains the bleaching the rest of the skin to achieve uniformity.
The psychological impact of this disease can be immense and patients can become withdrawn and depressed. Thus early treatment with a dermatologist with some psychological support can suppress the disease and help the person to lead a normal life.

Source: Health24.com

Eat Chocolate for Sun Protection ?

Due to the heat wave being experienced here in South Africa, I have been exposed to sun a lot and I have a sunburn on my arms. I came across an interesting article on dark chocolate and its properties that have proved to have small protection from the sun. Nevertheless, we should keep on using our sunscreen with SPF 30 and above. Below is how dark chocolate can help protect from the sun.

Several studies, including a well known one 2006 German researchers have shown that dark chocolate beverages high in flavonols (plant-based antioxidants), may have protective properties against damaging UV rays. In the study, they compared two groups of women. One drank flavonol-rich chocolate beverages  while the other drank a less potent chocolate beverage. When both groups were exposed to UV-light, those who drank the richer chocolate beverage suffered the least sunburn.

A 2009 study published in The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology similarly found that regular consumption of chocolate high in flavonols offered some protection against sun’s damaging rays.

What’s the sweet spot for protection? 3.5 ounces of dark chocolate was found to provide an SPF of 2 or 3. While that’s better than no protection, it certainly is not enough to adequately protect you from sun damage.

Since chocolate doesn’t list the amount of flavonoids it contains, look for brands with at least 70% cacoa. So, pack your broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 for optimum sun protection and toss a few dark chocolate bars like Ghiradelli’s Intense Dark Twilight Delight 72%, in your carry-on.

Source:
http://thedermblog.com

World Vitiligo Day: Petition

Dear Secretary-General,

Hear us as we speak with one voice about human rights, healthcare and education. We, the undersigned, are just the few of estimated over 100 million people living, working, taking care of children across the world with this neglected disease, vitiligo.

We contribute to every single industry and culture in the world. We are the rich and the poor. We are the face of the entire all neglected disease community. You find us in schools, hospitals, on TV and movies screens, sport arenas, and churches, while many went into seclusion and voluntary isolation from society.

Although, vitiligo has destroyed the lives of millions of individuals since recorded history, predominantly in the developing world, there is no cure in sight. But few diseases give rise to more fear and loathing than vitiligo, especially in dark-skinned people, in whom it can be strikingly prominent. And because it is not contagious or life-threatening, we often receive no support whatsoever from our national healthcare systems.

Thus, I support the initiative 25June and respectfully require the United Nations to

1. Urgently pursue multilateral efforts in vitiligo healthcare and education, and to

2. Designate June 25 as the World Vitiligo Day.

Mr. Secretary-General, please hear our voice. We know you can encourage Member States to respect our rights. Please pursue policies supportive of neglected disease collaboration, vitiligo in particular. This is central to the human rights and personal dignity of millions of women, men and children on this Earth.

If you believe in our cause, please follow the link below and sign the petition

http://25june.org/en/signatures/new

Vitiligo safety and protection: Summer Tips

Summer is one of the best seasons of the year in South Africa but for people living with Vitiligo there is a lot of safety that needs to be considered before basking in the sun. This has prompted us to research more on these safety tips to protect of our fragile skin.

Certain self-care tactics may help you care for your skin and improve its appearance:

• Protect your skin. If you have vitiligo, particularly if you have fair skin, use sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. If the skin isn't protected with sunscreen, vitiligo patches may burn or scar. Sunscreen helps protect your skin from sunburn and long-term damage. Sunscreen also minimizes tanning, which makes the contrast between normal and depigmented skin less noticeable. Use a sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more and water resistant.
• Conceal imperfections. Cosmetics that cover the white patches on your skin may improve your appearance and help you feel better about yourself. These cosmetic products may be particularly effective if you have vitiligo that's limited to exposed areas of your body. You may need to experiment with several brands of concealing cosmetics, such as Dermablend or Chromelin, before finding a product that works best for you. (We do advise people to consult a dermatologist before buying any cosmetic products over the counter)

According to dermatologist they share the following tips, this summer:

Protect your skin from the sun

Everyone who has vitiligo can benefit from sun protection. Here's why:

• Skin that has lost its colour sunburns very easily
• A bad sunburn can worsen vitiligo
• If you chose to treat vitiligo with depigmentation, that is removing he remaining colour from your skin, the sun can cause spots of colour to form on your skin. You will need to depigment your skin again to remove these spots of colour.

To protect your skin from the sun, excluding sunscreen and concealers dermatologist recommend the following:

1. Apply sunscreen everyday at least 15 minutes before going outdoors
2. Reapply sunscreen when outdoor, every 2 hours, even on cloudy day and after being in water or sweating.
3. Wear clothing that protects your skin from the sun. skin covered by clothing that has a high SPF does not need sunscreen. Not all clothing offers high SPF. A long-sleeve denim shirt has an SPF of about 1 700. A white t-shirt only has an SPF 7, and a green t-shirt has an SPF 10. You can boost the SPF of clothing, by adding a product that increases the SPF of clothing during the wash cycle. You add this product to wash machine. The increase in SPF is usually good for about 20 washings.
4. Seek Shade - This is especially important when your shadow is shorter than you are. That's when the sun's damaging rays are at their strongest and you are likely to sunburn.

Do not use tanning beds and sun lamps

These are not safe alternatives to the sun. These, too, can burn skin that has lost pigment. If you want to add colour to your skin, consider using a cosmetic. Cosmetics can safely add colour to your skin if you want to add colour without undergoing treatment. Cosmetics that can add colour are self-tanners, dyes, and makeup. Here are some tips that dermatologist offer their patients;

• Dyes work best for white spots.
• When looking for a self-tanner, choose a product that contains dihydroxyactone.
• with practice, most people can achieve a neutral look with a concealing cream or self-tanner.

Do not get a tattoo

Getting a tattoo can cause something called Keobnerization or the Koebner phenomenon. what this means is, when you wound your skin, which getting a tattoo does, a new patch of vitiligo can appear about  to days later.

Learn about Vitiligo 

Knowledge often improves a person's quality of life. It helps to know about treatment options so that you know what is possible. learning more about vitiligo can help you decide what feels right for you. You may want to treat it, camouflage with cosmetics, or just let it be. Only you can decide what's right for you. If you decide not to treat vitiligo, it's still important to see a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and physical. Vitiligo is a medical condition, not just a cosmetic concern.

Connect with Others who have Vitiligo

The emotional aspects of having vitiligo are often overlooked, but they are real. If a child has vitiligo children may tease and bully. People can stare. Studies conclude that many people who have vitiligo have a decreased quality of life. At Beyond Vitiligo we believe life doesn't stop with having vitiligo, we look beyond the skin condition. Join the community and lets chit chat our sorrows away

http://www.facebook.com/BeyondvitiligoSA

@beyondvitiligo

Sources:

http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatology-a-to-z/vitiligo/tips

http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/skin_stuff/vitiligo.html#

http://www.avrf.org/facts/sun.htm

Depigmentation: To Pursue or Not to Pursue

There has been some misunderstanding in our communities in regards to depigmentation. We have to admit they are people out there who use certain products to lighten their skin complexion at the same time there is depigmentation for vitiligo patients. This article intends to enlighten how skin depigmentation works. Enjoy!!

If you have vitiligo, you most likely have heard of depigmentation, the process by which the remaining pigment is permanently removed from the skin and wondered where it fits into vitiligo treatment. Is it something you should consider?

People who consider depigmentation have reached a point where medical therapy no longer offers hope for controlling their disease. Generally, the vitiligo has become so severe that one has come to the place where you either continue to live with the diseases progression or depigment. Some who have extensive vitiligo find it preferable, and easier, to depigment the remaining unaffected skin rather than try to repigment the vitiligo-affected skin.

The first step in the decision

Even though one reaches the point of considering depigmentation, making the actual decision to go forward is not an easy one. Depigmentation is permanent, irreversible. There are many concerns and even fears that naturally arise. For example, will the pigment come back? Are there skin reactions?

Do people regret having started the treatment? Are there side effects?

People of non-white ethnicity face additional concerns about loss of racial identity, as well as cultural and social concerns that also must be addressed prior to starting treatment. How will family and friends respond? Will people still accept me if I am a different color?

What is involved in depigmenting the skin?

Depigmentation therapy is designed to remove the remaining pigment in the skin to match the areas that are already white. For people who have vitiligo on more than 50% of their bodies, depigmentation may be the best treatment option.

A dermatologist must decide whether this treatment is appropriate. A recent survey showed that dermatologists vary in their opinion as to who should be eligible for this therapy. The survey showed that 42% of dermatologists are in favor of depigmentation when vitiligo affects more than 50% of the body, while 32% feel that patients must wait until it affects more than 75% of the body.

In general, depigmentation is limited to the patient for whom repigmentation therapies have failed and/or has more than 50% pigment loss in their skin or when the depigmentation is extensive in the cosmetically sensitive areas of the hands and face. Depigmentation is not generally recommended for children.

The main method used to depigment vitiligo-affected skin is the topical application of monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (MBEH) (also referred to as monobenzone). MBEH is a topical prescription product applied to the pigmented areas. This is the only drug approved by the FDA for depigmentation therapy of advanced vitiligo. For many years, MBEH was available under the brand name Benoquin, but it has now been discontinued by the manufacturer. MBEH is now only available as a compounded product (monobenzone powder added to a base cream) made by specialized pharmacies

How is it used?

A cream with a 20% concentration of MBEH is applied twice a day for 3-12 months. It is important to understand that this is a systemic treatment, meaning that regardless of where the cream is applied, it will affect the entire system or body and areas away from the treated area will still lighten. This is not a treatment used to selectively lighten or depigment a specific or confined area. Treatment will generally begin with a concentration of 20% MBEH. Depigmentation should begin after 3 to 4 months of application. The concentration is frequently increased to 30% or 40% during the process, but MBEH concentration greater than 40% is not recommended. If the vitiligo has been stable for years, a longer duration of therapy and higher concentration of MBEH may be required. Direct skin-to-skin contact with other people must be avoided for at least two hours after applying the drug, as transfer of the drug may cause depigmentation of the other person’s skin

How well does it work?

 According to a study on the effectiveness of MBEH in the depigmentation of vitiligo patients. It is a retrospective study where researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston looked back at the experience of 18 vitiligo patients who underwent MBEH therapy. The patients ranged in age from 26 to 68 years of age and had had vitiligo from 6 months to 51 years. Fifteen were women and three were men. Two of the patients were African American and sixteen were Caucasians. The patients had 40 to 90% depigmentation prior to beginning treatment with MBEH. In only one patient was the vitiligo rapidly progressive at the time. The remainder of the patients had stable or slowly progressing vitiligo. The treatment protocol involved the twice-daily application of 20% MBEH.

Of the 18 patients:

Eight (44%) severely-affected vitiligo patients achieved complete depigmentation. Their first signs of depigmentation occurred within one to six months (average under three months) of the start of therapy and full depigmentation was achieved in 4 - 12 months. Furthermore, after six months of MBEH use, one of these eight patients, who had experienced partial depigmentation, continued on to completely depigment after discontinuing MBEH.

• Three (17%) had dramatic, though incomplete depigmentation.
• Three (17%) experienced partial depigmentation.
• Three (17%) elected not to complete the trial.
• One (5%) could not use MBEH because of contact dermatitis.

The researchers observed that the average patient in the trial did not begin to depigment until after two-three months or more of application of the MBEH, and also found that the time of the first appearance of depigmentation was not predictive of the final degree of depigmentation. They concluded that consistent use of MBEH correlated with the eventual success of depigmentation. They reported that all those who depigmented fully said they were very pleased with their results. Two of these patients were African American.

In terms of side effects, seven of the 18 patients reported no complications. In two cases, the sensation of burning lasted only the first month of therapy. In two other patients it did limit therapy; however, mixing the MBEH with an emollient helped relieve the burning in these patients. Severe contact dermatitis did cause one patient as described above to drop out of the trial. Other side effects observed were redness or rash, dryness, and swelling.

The study's authors concluded that MBEH was effective, produced generally satisfactory results, and involved limited side effects. They concluded that treatment should lead to an onset of depigmentation within three-six months of therapy being started and full depigmentation within a year. They cautioned that occasional use thereafter may be required.

They also pointed out that during and upon completion of the depigmentation therapy patients are unusually sensitive to sunlight and permanently at risk for acquiring sunburn. Midday sun exposure should be minimized and a sunscreen used to avoid recurrence of pigment that can occur on sun-exposed sites.

Depigmentation and Melanoma

One of the concerns frequently expressed by those interested in depigmentation is whether the process increases their risk of serious skin cancers like melanoma. A study coming out in April 2011 concludes that using MBEH may actually be helpful to prevent the occurrence of melanoma in those with a family history of the disease. Since melanoma is cancer of the melanocytes, and the melanocytes are destroyed by using MBEH, it has long been reported that the risk of melanoma is low to non-existent in those who have completely depigmented.

 (Source: Dr. James J. Nordlund, Professor of Dermatology, Group Health Associates, Cincinnati, OH and Wright State School of Medicine)

Hope for Women with Vitiligo

By Dr. Dara Spearman

Dermatologist
 

Peggy - Beyond Vitiligo Project Director

Vitiligo is a disease whereby the melanocytes, the cells that give our skin pigmentation, are destroyed. This results in depigmented (or white) patches of skin. This can be localized to certain areas of the body or generalized, involving most of the body surface area. These patches may also be found on both the mucous membranes (tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose), and in the retina (inner layer of the eyeball). The hair that grows on areas affected by vitiligo may also become depigmented. Vitiligo is a condition that is limited to the skin, hair and mucous membranes and does not cause internal problems. However, it has been shown to be highly associated with a number of other autoimmune diseases, mostly thyroid disease, but also pernicious anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and adult-onset autoimmune diabetes.

Vitiligo can have a significant effect on an individual's psychological well being. For women of color, this is especially true due to the sharp contrast of the depigmented skin with their natural, darkly pigmented skin. In fact, in some cultures there is a social stigmata associated with the condition. People affected by the disease may be viewed as evil and/or are shunned by the community.

There are a number of treatments available for vitiligo, although at this time there is no cure. For some individuals, treatment may actually involve only sun protection to prevent tanning of the unprotected areas. For lighter-skinned individuals, the difference may be hardly perceptible. For darker individuals, sun protection is necessary to prevent sunburn of the affected areas but does not improve the appearance. In people with limited involvement, makeup or cosmetic camouflage solutions can be used to hide the vitiligo patches. I often recommend Dermablend or Leg Magic cosmetic camouflage to my patients. Micropigmentation tattooing of small areas may also improve appearance.

If the patches are so widespread that coverup is not an option, other treatments are available from your dermatologist. Treatment is usually aimed at repigmentation, or returning normal pigment. Initially, topical steroid creams are often prescribed, although this treatment only results in repigmentation in 25 percent of individuals. PUVA is a therapy that improves appearance in 50-70 percent of patients. This therapy involves a medication, psoralen, and a special type of ultraviolet light, UVA. The psoralen may be applied topically to the affected areas, but is often taken in pill form. This therapy can be time consuming with two to three treatments per week for months and may also increase the risk of skin cancer.

Newer therapies include transplantation of melanocytes to affected areas to repigment the region. This is performed by taking skin grafts from inconspicuous sites, such as the gluteal region, separating out the melanocyts and then grafting them to the affected areas. The area is then exposed to UV light for two months with 70-85 percent of people experiencing almost complete repigmentation. It was discovered in early 2008 that piperine, a compound in black pepper, can stimulate pigmentation in the skin, particularly when combined with ultraviolet radiation. This repigmentation is often darker and more evenly distributed than with ultraviolet light alone. Finally, complete depigmentation with a chemical called monobenzylether of hydroquinone is an option for patients with extensive involvement. Vigilant sun protection is especially important to prevent sunburn and skin cancer.

If you are affected by this condition, it is important to discuss your treatment options with a dermatologist and to realize that new, effective therapies are available

Student with vitiligo asked to leave varsity

He had secured admission for six-year integrated B. Tech course for speech and hearing impaired
Life has not been an easy journey for 18-year-old P. Ayyappan of Tirunelveli. Born with a hearing impairment, he managed to overcome it to a significant extent through speech therapy.
His childhood dream was to become an engineer. When the Kalasalingam University near Srivilliputtur in Virudhunagar district introduced a pioneering six-year integrated B. Tech course for the speech and hearing impaired in 2007, it brightened his hope of realising his dream. He managed to get admission to the B. Tech course on July 4 and spent a day with his classmates.
The next afternoon, however, the teenager was asked to remain in his hostel room. The university authorities called his parents to say that the parents of other students had objected to their children studying with Ayyappan, because he had vitiligo or patches of white skin on his body.

Non-infectious
His mother P. Hemavathi tried in vain to convince the authorities that it was not a contagious disease.
She produced a medical certificate from an Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology, Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, that said “vitiligo is non-infectious and will not spread by contact.”

The doctor said it was nothing but loss of pigmentation and that the boy should be allowed to pursue his studies. However, the medical certificate failed to evoke any positive response.

When The Hindu contacted Vice-Chancellor M. Venkatesulu on Tuesday, he said the university had not taken a final decision on the student’s studies. However, Ayyappan was not allowed to attend classes and asked to remain in the hostel.

On Wednesday, the authorities asked his mother to take him home. The Vice-Chancellor could not be reached on his mobile phone on Wednesday afternoon.

“I don’t understand how the university can ask my son to leave the institution, when the tuition and hostel fees have been paid,” Ms. Hemavathi said. Kalasalingam University was the only institution offering the unique programme and he had no choice but to continue there.

“They say they are ready to take him next year if he gets cured,” she added. The university authorities have informed her that she would be apprised of the future course of action after a week over phone.

Discrimination
“This is nothing but sheer discrimination by the university authorities on the basis of leucoderma, which is only de-pigmentation of skin due to auto-immune disorder,” secretary of Chennai-based Leucoderma Awareness Movement, K. Umapathy, said.
He cited a State government order of December 27, 2010, stating that vitiligo, also called leucoderma, was neither an infectious nor a hereditary disease.
The university’s action was a rights violation and unconstitutional, he said.
Stating that there were misconceptions about vitiligo, Mr. Umapathy said the movement would approach the Departments of Health, School Education and Higher Education, seeking suitable orders that no child should be discriminated by schools and colleges on the basis of vitiligo.
 “We want the government to stop denial of admission to such students,” he add

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article3628654.ece

This is just a few of the many cases happening around the world. The only way we can fight the discrimination of people living with vitiligo is by making vitiligo known.

Gaone's story on Vitiligo and Beyond Vitiligo by Activate

In the fall of September 2011 Gaone was approached by Activate Leadership South Africa. They were searching for South African Social entrepreneurs making a difference in the society. She was chosen as one of the Activators, so they can use her story to educate young South Africans wishing to venture into social entrepreneurship.

In this documentary, Gaone narrates how she started Beyond Vitiligo from just being an idea to a registered organisation with six directors making a difference in the society. We encourage you all to share this video, because our aim is to educate the world on vitiligo.

Enjoy!!

200 young South Africans

Gaone Tlhong

Founder: Beyond Vitiligo

Although its precise cause is unknown, vitiligo causes pale regions in the skin in which cells that produce pigment are mysteriously destroyed. One in 100 of us have it but for sufferers like Gaone Tlhong, it’s society’s skin-deep reactions that make vitiligo the fight of a lifetime.

Tlhong has borne the characteristic white patches since age four. Initially, as they spread along her arms, the name-calling worsened and she withdrew from the world in embarrassment.

“It hurt when I noticed my skin changing,” she recalls. “I isolated myself from my community because I didn’t look like the others.” Battling through the marginalisation, she found the strength to turn her emotional decline around. In 2009 she started the non-profit organisation Beyond Vitiligo and set about dismantling the superstition and stigma that had weighed her down.

At the core of Tlhong’s work is to educate people to change ingrained traditional beliefs about vitiligo. She cites one African belief that vitiligo is a mark of a calling to be a traditional healer. In Tswana there is even a saying — mollo wa badimo — describing the white spots as burns from the ancestors as punishment for wrongdoing. But as far afield as India, there is a cultural bar on female sufferers marrying.

Working weekends and on lunch breaks from her job as a billing clerk, Tlhong and her expanding team are making slow progress towards what she calls “viducation” for fellow sufferers. Short on funding, they share their stories wherever they can, use social media like Twitter to publicise their cause, and even approach sufferers in malls and on the street to offer advice and invite them to join the movement.

Their latest mission is to grow June 25 from a day when members gather in mutual support into World Vitiligo Day.

— Ian Macleod

 Twitter: @GaoneTlhong

source: http://ysa2012.mg.co.za/gaone-tlhong/

Deeper than Skin: Inside the World of Vitiligo Patients

This is an article by Naomi Ogaldez

Queens, New York-Isabel Goncalves was diagnosed when she was four years old. “I was overwhelmed, shocked, and cried when I heard the news of her diagnosis of vitiligo,” said Goncalve’ mother, Maria Gonzalez.

Now that Goncalves is 12-years-old, eight years later, her skin depigmentation has spread throughout her whole body, except her face.

“She is really confident. She doesn’t like to cover up her vitiligo, ” said Gonzalez.

Even though, she is confident in her own skin, Goncalves said, people still look at her differently and, at times, make her the outcast. “On a daily basis, people are constantly making fun of me and they say I look like a cow. They are constantly saying I look weird. I am bullied,” she said.

Gocalves has vitiligo.

WHAT IS VITILIGO

The Indian Journal of Dermatology stated that about one to two percent of the world’s population suffers from this diseas

e. This skin depigmentation affects all ethnic groups and racial groups equally. Although it may seem that Latinos and African Americans are more affected because of their darker skin color, but in reality, they are not.

According to Vitiligo Support International, half of people with vitiligo have had it developed before the age 20 and about 95 percent get it before the age of 40.

“I thought I was the only one that had it, but, in reality, there are a lot of people that have it,” said Alejandra Riera, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, who has had vitiligo for 15 years. “People have a lot of misconceptions of vitiligo such as it being contagious, hereditary, and painful, but all of that is not true.”

The cause of vitiligo is still unknown, however, there are various scientific theories to the cause of vitiligo.

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing drugs for the treatment of skin disorders, stated that vitiligo is characterized by the destruction of melanocytes pigment cells that stop functioning, which causes the skin that is affected to become white in color.

“In order for this to happen something has to precipitate this dysfunction in the immune system, something coming [from] within, such as a sunburnt, pregnancy, physiological and psychological stress, bug bites, certain chemicals, and the environment,” said Dr. Raymond Boissy, President of the National Vitiligo Foundation and Director of Basic Science Research at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, who has studied vitiligo for more than 30 years.

Several genes have to dysfunction in order for someone to be susceptible to this complex, multi-genetic disease.

“I would describe vitiligo as the cancer or the AIDS of the 2000 because people are afraid to come out,” said Dr. Boissy. “Like cancer and HIV, therapies have developed, people with those diseases have come out and advocate for themselves, which has helped bring awareness and a better life for them. I see the same happening for vitiligo. I see the renaissance in the horizon.”

Although, there is hope in the development of a cure and awareness about vitiligo, there are still issues concerning this disease. First off, there are some health insurance companies that don’t cover vitiligo patients.

Health insurance plans sometimes consider treatments for vitiligo to be cosmetic. Most health insurance plans will not cover medical care for cosmetic purposes. For that reason, “most treatments are not to cure vitiligo, they are to conceal or lessen the appearance of white patches. This strongly suggests that the treatments are for cosmetic reasons rather than medical reasons,” said Lisa Dahl, health insurance agent at Hoffman Brown Company. This has also given a reason to Mayo Clinic to state in their website that “medical treatment for vitiligo isn’t always necessary.” According to Boissy, about 60 percent of insurance companies cover vilitigo patients, the other 40 percent does not.

“It’s not a cosmetic issue, it’s a disease, we know that there are genes that cause it,” he said.

For that reason, he went on to say that without pigmentation in the skin, people are more susceptible to skin cancer and skin aging. In addition to affecting the skin, it can also have a dramatic auto immune response, which can affect other parameters such as the thyroid, amino glands, and the joints can develop arthritis or diabetes.

LIVING WITH THE DISEASE

Danny Arcanjo, 20-year-old, from Newark, New Jersey, who is the first in his family to have vitiligo, has had it for four years now. His insurance company doesn’t cover the cost for his treatments, so he has to pay out of his pocket for them. He has paid $2,500 to get started on his skin graphing and laser treatment. Arcanjo is required to visit the dermatologist on a weekly basis– each session costs $200.

Beyond the external physical changes and battles for insurance coverage that vitiligo patients undergo, many vitiligo patients have also been affected psychologically.

“I have seen a lot of people that have vitiligo get really depressed, angry, sad, paranoid, pessimistic, and negative because you are stuck with it for life. They still haven’t found a cure for it,” said Arcanjo.

Arcanjo went on to say that people should be aware about vitiligo because it could help prevent and solve many problems for the vitiligo community such as the psychological affects that may occur from having this skin depigmentation. When people discriminate people with vitiligo, they don’t realize that they are harming them psychologically to the point of giving them a reason to commit suicide.

Also, with awareness, many people in this community would be able to achieve their dreams, instead, of having to change them.

Before he had vitligo, he was on his way to becoming a professional soccer player. His vitiligo doesn’t let him be out in the sun too much, so he had to give up that dream. He said he is only one of many who have had to alter their hopes and dreams.

The psychological ramifications of vitiligo can be seen in various patients that have it.


Isabel Goncalves from Queens, New York was diagnosed with vitiligo when she was four years old/ By: Maria Gonzalez
“It’s not only a depigmentation, a cosmetical problem, it’s physical, psychological, and it deals with your health. You will never know how it feels until you have it,” said 35-year-old mother, Johana Galindez from Long Island, New York, who is the first in her family to get vitiligo.

She experiences psychological affects from having vitiligo daily. “I hate when people stare at me, I try to hide my hands. On a daily basis, I experience a lot of negativity, it feels like a roller coaster. I know beauty comes from within, but it is very hard thing to accept, especially, if you are a person like me who was very active and had a big open social life,” said Galindez

At the age of 26, she was diagnosed with vitiligo. This caused her to end her dancing career in New York. “People don’t tell you up front, the producers, the teachers, and the cast members, but you know inside that people don’t see you the same way. They don’t care the same way,” said Galindez

source : http://www.elnuevosol.net