Description

Vitiligo is a disease that cannot be hidden. It has distinctive white patches as the symptom where the skin loses its pigmentation. These patches may be small, to begin with, and may change their shape and increase over a period of time. These patches are generally visible on face, hands, and wrists. The patches may be more visible around the skin surrounding mouth, eyes, nostrils and other such areas. Since the disease is easy to spot, it often leads to stigmas and boycott of patients from the society. This is due to a lack of knowledge about the disease. Vitiligo is not a communal disease- it cannot be passed on with touch or breathing. However, stigmatization may lead to depression in the patient.