Every year on 25 June, World Vitiligo Day is celebrated in order to raise awareness and teach people about vitelliform, an uncommon skin condition. This day helps us recognize and try to change the social and mental challenges faced by people with vitiligo.
What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder where the melanocytes, which produce melanin, are destroyed. Melanin has the ability to color skin, hair, and eyes. According to Dr Monica Chahar, Chief Dermatologist, and Head Skin Décor at New Delhi, melanin loss results in pale or white spots on a wide variety of body parts such as the face, hands, feet & genitals.
These patches are irregular in size and shape, according to Dr. Vikram Vora, medical director at the Indian Subcontinent of International SOS. They may have a gradual expansion. In these areas, sensitivity and irritation may occur, and loss of pigment may also affect hair, leading to premature graying. When the affected person notices a change in appearance, signs of emotional distress may appear,” said Dr. Vora.
What is the Background of World Vitiligo Day?
Support and Awareness FoundationVITSAF in Nigeria and their supporters around the world organized the first World Vitiligo Day with a view to raising awareness of this unrecognized condition and its impact on patients. “The Vitiligo Research Foundation” CEO Yan Valle picked June 25 to mark the death of Michael Jackson, so he could have a day dedicated to vitiligo awareness.
The campaign has grown in importance, and the UN’s designation of June as World Vitiligo Awareness Day every year provides this campaign with more opportunities to raise awareness around the world.
2024 World Vitiligo Day theme
“Vitiligo: Looking to the Future” is this year’s theme for World Vitilia Day, which falls in 2024. The official color representing a rare skin condition called vitiligo is purple. The month of June has been designated Vitiligo Awareness Month by the city of Tampa.
World Vitiligo Day: Its Importance
It does two things: first, it helps debunk myths and misconceptions regarding vitiligo by increasing public knowledge of the disorder. Due to the obvious changes in their appearance, vitiligo affects a large population who suffer from social stigma and prejudice. World Vitiligo Day seeks to encourage inclusion and empathy by raising awareness and acceptance.
In addition, this observance provides the opportunity for individuals with vitiligo to communicate and share their experiences. In order to create a sense of belonging and empowerment among those living with vitiligo, support groups, events, or campaigns are organized around the world. It allows individuals to overcome the challenges they face, enabling them to be resilient.
World Vitiligo Day also highlights the need to continue investigating the causes, prevention, and treatment of vitiligo. Various treatment options, including topical creams, phototherapy, and surgical procedures have been developed as a result of advances in medical science and technology. However, there is no cure for vitiligo and further research is needed to improve the results of treatment and increase people’s quality of life.
