Vitiligo

Tears were continuously rolling from their worried eyes with obvious grief on their saddened faces...!! It was a routine day at clinic in the era of BC (before CORONA)..!! Already running late, with a few uneasy patients in waiting, I started the OPD hurriedly to cover up fast. After few patients, came a couple with their 12 years old daughter...entered with the visible worry and stress. As I initiated the consultation mother started sobbing, father came forward and notified me the WHITE patches on neck and forearms of his daughter.
    At once questions started pouring in from both the parents, before I could start my part of the conversation. What is this exactly? Is (don't tell us) this Cod (leukoderma/vitiligo)? Is this curable? Why this has happened to her only? How many days we will have to take treatment? Will it spread? Will it tranfer to anyone from her or to her next generation?... She is a Girl, who will Marry her if this spreads..? and many more.. Tears started rolling from their eyes!!! Instantly the whole picture unfolded infront of me.. Reason behind their agony was the colour WHITE...!!

I tried calming them down, made them sit comfortably. Tried my best using professional knowledge and emotional aspects to counsel them. Used all the perspectives scientifically, non scientifically which would make them understand the disorder (not the disease). Specifically emphasized on not making the girl conscious about the patches and should take care about not getting her mentally affected. Explaining possible options and initial management I gave them date to follow up. They seemed somewhat tranquilized though not completely stress free! Although continued with further routine, it left me mourning and contemplative... Why??....why so much of the stigma for the problem which is simply a disorder or defect in the colour producing cells leading to just a change of skin colur to the White!! White...which is the symbol of serenity, light, peace, prosperity suddenly becomes reason for Darkness!
  Leukoderma/Vitiligo is not a DISEASE, neither it affects any organ severely leading to physical morbidity nor is contagious. However lack of awareness and knowledge, myths and misconceptions about the white patches lead to social stigma. This social stigma of the White patch leads to severe mental morbidity and depression in the people suffering from the disorder.
   Yearly more than a million people get affected with this disorder in India but only few seek medical help. Research is continuously going on towards finding more effective solutions. Several management options are available which can work effectively, just the need of routing the affected through it.
   We as a Dermatologists are and always will contribute our bit through management and counselling. Many doctors/ organizations are dedicatedly working for the people who are depressed and suffering from anguish due to 'Safed Daag'.
   It's high time we the entire society, calling us educated, broad minded and civilised come out of this mentality of catogorising and segregating people (not patients) with mere a change of skin Colour!    Everyone of us should start this change by normalising our approach and outlook towards affected people around us making them feel one amongst us!
Let's come together to White wash the thoughts of discrimination and differentiation of this white patch alievating the darkness permanently...!