June 25 marks the commemoration of World Vitiligo Day— a day dedicated on raising awareness about vitiligo, advocating for those affected by the condition, and fostering global understanding and acceptance. Vitiligo manifests as white patches on the skin, varying in size and location, due to the destruction of melanocytes, which produce melanin—the pigment responsible for skin colour. Despite affecting about 1% of the global population, vitiligo is often misunderstood.
World Vitiligo Day plays a crucial role in dispelling myths and misconceptions through awareness campaigns, fostering empathy, and encouraging a more informed perspective on this condition. Currently, there is no definitive cure for vitiligo, making it a chronic condition that requires ongoing management and treatment. Dr Anand Ganesan, a dermatologist and vitiligo expert at UCI Health, emphasizes the challenges faced by patients due to the lack of a definitive cure.
"All we had at the time was light therapy and topical steroids, which were minimally effective," he said. This chronic condition requires ongoing management and treatment, underscoring the need for continued research into its causes and potential therapies. “Today, there has never been more hope for patients with the autoimmune disease, which affects an estimated 70 million people worldwide, at least 25% of them children,” said Dr Ganesan.
To gain insights into the personal journey of living with vitiligo, IOL spoke with Dineo Mkhabela, a 2.
