PSALM 139:14 I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
ABOUT VITILIGO ASSIST
VITILIGO ASSIST is established to create awareness and aid persons diagnosed with VITILIGO. Regular online updates will be published to ensure increased access to information. We strive to provide up-to-
date information by professionals on treatment and management of VITILIGO. We recognise the impact of VITILIGO on physical and mental wellbeing due to insensitive remarks, bullying and discrimination in
general and strive to provide support in this regard.
WHAT IS VITILIGO
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks melanocytes, which are cells in the skin and eyes that contain and produce melanin. The melanocytes are responsible for pigmentation.
The disease causes pigment-producing cells to die or stop functioning; therefore, the skin loses its colour in patches. Blotches can either be centralised or generalised, meaning that they can either be limited to
a certain part of the body or be spread all over the body.
IS VITILIGO GENETIC
Extensive research has been done and still needs to be done. Studies have, however, shown that VITILIGO is genetic in some instances. This means that VITILIGO could potentially be inherited through
your biological family, but it could in some instances be attributed to other factors.
THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT AND DISCRIMINATION
Persons diagnosed with VITILIGO normally suffer from a low self-esteem and tend to withdraw from society. The general public is
ill-informed about the disease, which leads to social discrimination and
stigma. Social discrimination and stigma cause persons with VITILIGO to avoid social events and going out into public. Persons with VITILIGO start isolating themselves and their wellbeing suffer.
IS THERE A CURE?
There is unfortunately no cure. However, there are some treatment options available. The treatment and prognosis will differ from patient to patient. Treatment options are:
- Topical medication.
- Light therapy or phototherapy with ultraviolet lights.
- Surgery (skin graft) to transfer healthy skin or skin cells to white damaged areas.
- Depigmentation that involves the removal of pigment from the skin to even out the skin.
It is important to note that you should always consult a qualified medical practitioner before starting any treatment and that all treatment options carry risk.
I DON’T HAVE MONEY FOR FORMAL TREATMENT, WHAT NOW?
- Eat healthy, no “junk” food. Junk food causes oxidative stress in the body.
- Include foods that increase the production of melanin, e.g. whole grains, beetroot, carrots, spinach, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, dates, figs, mangoes and apricots.
- Beware of chemical products. Exposure aggravates existing VITILIGO symptoms.
- Wear a good sunscreen of at least SPF 50+.
- Wear protective clothing.
- Try any form of stress relief.
- Excessive Vitamin C can worsen VITILIGO symptoms.
- Do not take immune boosters.
- Citrus foods that are excessively sour contains ascorbic acid which lightens the skin and will make the patches whiter.
- Keep your spirits up and “love the skin you’re in”.
New Vitiligo Clinical Studies
See more information when you click on the "Learn More" button.