World Vitiligo Day 2022: 8 Common Myths And Facts About Vitiligo

Here are some correct facts that can help remove the social stigma associated with vitiligo.

According to Dr Sakshi Srivastava, Senior Consultant, Department of Dermatology, Jaypee Hospital (Noida), many misconceptions revolve around vitiligo, a condition characterised by milky-white patches on the skin. Since these misconceptions gave rise to many doubts and false beliefs, knowing the correct facts can help remove the social stigma.

• Myth: Consumption of certain food items can cause vitiligo.
• Fact: This is false as, over many years, many people have believed that eating white-coloured food items or sour foods like citrus or drinking milk shortly after eating fish causes vitiligo. However, there's simply no scientific proof to confirm the above theory.
• Myth: Vitiligo is a contagious disease.
• Fact: Vitiligo is not contagious, and it does not spread through close contact, touch, sharing personal items, saliva, etc.
• Myth: Vitiligo is a 100% curable condition.
• Fact: It is unpredictable and hence can't be said for sure. The treatment of vitiligo is difficult and slow; not all patients respond similarly. In addition, vitiligo is of different types with varying percentages of durability.
• Myth: Vitiligo is tough to diagnose.
• Fact: Vitiligo is a relatively straightforward clinical diagnosis. The diagnosis is based on the characteristic type of the skin lesions, which is hypopigmented, non-scaly, chalky white macules with distinct margins and of typical distribution pattern.

• Myth: Vitiligo is an uncommon condition in the Indian population.
• Fact: In India, vitiligo, an autoimmune disorder, affects 0.25 to 2.25 per cent of the population, with symptoms peaking in people under 21.
• Myth: People with vitiligo are less intelligent or physically capable.
• Fact: Vitiligo is an exclusive skin condition and has no connection to either physical or mental disorders.
• Myth: All white patches are vitiligo.
• Fact: No, not all white patches are vitiligo. There is a vast list of all white spot disorders. Nevus, post-burns, leprosy, tinea versicolor (fungal infection), and others are a few examples of potential causes of white patches.
• Myth: Genetics also play an essential role in vitiligo.
• Fact: A few studies in India and worldwide have found a strong link between the development of vitiligo and a family history of autoimmune illnesses and the occurrence of vitiligo.