On World Vitiligo Day, June 25, Nigerian medical experts are making a passionate plea for public understanding and compassion toward individuals living with vitiligo. Leading dermatologists are emphasizing that the condition, which causes patches of skin to lose their colour, is treatable, not contagious, and has absolutely no connection to spiritual curses or sin.
Speaking at the 19th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists (NAD) in Lagos, Dr. Lanre Falodun, a Consultant Dermatologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, highlighted the urgent need to dispel the dangerous misinformation that fuels social stigma and causes immense psychological suffering.
What Exactly is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is not a curse or a punishment; it is a well-understood medical condition. It is an autoimmune disorder, which means the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells responsible for producing skin pigment, called melanocytes. When these cells are destroyed, the skin in that area turns a milky-white colour, creating the distinct patches associated with the condition.
It can appear on any part of the body, including the skin, hair, and inside the mouth. While it can affect people of all skin types, the patches are often more noticeable on individuals with darker skin tones, which unfortunately contributes to greater social and psychological challenges in communities like Nigeria.
The Heavy Burden of Stigma
For many living with vitiligo, the most painful part of the condition is not physical but emotional. The visible nature of vitiligo often leads to severe psychosocial distress, fueled by widespread ignorance and cultural myths. Dr. Falodun explained that many patients face a daily battle with:
- Low Self-Esteem: Constantly feeling the need to hide the patches can erode a person’s confidence and self-worth.
- Social Isolation: Fear of judgment, ridicule, or rejection can cause individuals to withdraw from social activities, friendships, and relationships.
- Depression and Anxiety: The emotional toll of living with a visible difference in a society that often misunderstands it can lead to serious mental health challenges.
The conference theme, “Dermatology and Global Health, Bridging the Gap,” underscores the need to address these non-physical impacts of skin conditions.
Debunking Dangerous Myths
A major part of the advocacy is directly confronting and debunking the persistent and harmful myths that surround vitiligo in society.
“We need to educate Nigerians that vitiligo is not contagious, not caused by sin, and treatable, especially if individuals present early to a dermatologist.”
Dr. Falodun and his colleagues are working to correct these common falsehoods:
- Myth: Vitiligo is contagious.
Fact: You absolutely cannot catch vitiligo from another person. It is an internal autoimmune process, not an infection. - Myth: Vitiligo is a curse or punishment for sin.
Fact: It is a medical disorder with a biological cause, just like diabetes or asthma. - Myth: It is a form of leprosy, cancer, or albinism.
Fact: It is completely unrelated to any of these conditions. It is a distinct disorder that only affects skin pigmentation.
Hope Through Treatment: What Can Be Done?
A crucial part of the message is one of hope: vitiligo is treatable. While there is no universal cure, several effective treatments can help restore skin colour, especially when the condition is diagnosed early. Treatment options must be guided by a dermatologist and can include:
- Topical Creams: Medicated creams and ointments can be applied to the skin to help repigment the patches.
- Phototherapy (Light Therapy): This involves exposing the skin to controlled doses of ultraviolet B (UVB) light, which can stimulate the melanocytes to produce pigment again.
- Excimer Laser: A more targeted form of light therapy used for smaller patches.
- Oral Medications: In some cases, pills that affect the immune system may be prescribed.
However, access to these treatments remains a major challenge due to high costs, a lack of clear national treatment guidelines, and the very misinformation that keeps people from seeking help in the first place.
Conclusion
The call from Nigeria’s dermatologists on World Vitiligo Day is a powerful one for collective action. It is a call for the public to replace judgment with empathy, for the government to help reduce treatment costs and improve access to care, and for everyone to help dismantle the walls of stigma.
Vitiligo is not a defining characteristic of a person; it is simply a skin condition. By fostering a society built on education and compassion, we can ensure that everyone living with vitiligo is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, allowing them to live full, happy, and unburdened lives.
