By Angela Onwuzoo
Skin experts have asked persons living with vitiligo not to allow stigma to make them fall into depression.
The physicians expressed worry that the level of stigma associated with the skin condition was still high in the country which they blamed on ignorance.
Advising them to ignore stigma, the dermatologists noted that vitiligo is neither infectious nor hereditary.
According to them, persons with vitiligo must know that acquiring the skin condition is no fault of theirs, assuring them that they are perfectly normal except for the colour change in their skin.
Vitiligo, they say is an acquired condition of the skin with reduced or absent colouration/pigmentation leaving areas of white patches compared to other areas of the body.
This, they note is due to the absence or nonfunction of cells called melanocytes responsible for the colouration of the skin.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise, one of the experts and a Professor of Dermatology at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Olayinka Olasode, identified stigma as a major challenge facing persons living with vitiligo in Nigeria.
Olasode who is also a Consultant Physician & Dermatologist, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, stated that vitiligo might be associated with diabetes mellitus and other endocrine malfunctions.
She, however, said people with vitiligo were not born with the disease but acquired it along the way.
Olasode, who is an expert in Pigmentary Skin Diseases, explained, “The major challenge to people with vitiligo is stigmatisation that can result in poor self-esteem especially if it is in visible areas.
” The appearance of multiple colouration of the skin does not go down well with a lot of people. The names allotted to such appearances are derogatory like ‘amotekun’ in Yoruba or literally ‘people with multiple colours.
“Persons with vitiligo have to face the consequences of myths attached to the condition from stories of infectivity to their parents having eaten a forbidden food.”
According to her, there are many causes documented for vitiligo.
“The condition is not infectious. I will mention a few. Family history occurs in some genetically predisposed individuals and in families who experience early hair greying.
“Some genes have been linked to its occurrence”, she added.
The dermatologist disclosed that chemical vitiligo could occur when there is exposure to some chemicals like those used in the rubber industry.
Giving insight into ways of overcoming the stigma associated with vitiligo, Prof. Olasode affirmed, “People with vitiligo must know that the fault is not theirs, that they are perfectly normal except for the colour change. Vitiligo is not infectious so they don’t need isolation.
“They need to be confident about their self-worth and discard negative responses.
“They need to be part of the advocacy to enlighten those ignorant about the condition.”
Continuing, she said, “I believe it’s not a disease but a condition where, if underlying factors are removable, can be cured.
“But if it persists, it is not life-threatening. It does not affect their intelligence.”
Another skin expert, Dr Shakirat Gold-Olufadi, told PUNCH Healthwise in an exclusive interview that vitiligo was not due to attacks from home or any supernatural forces as was often thought by certain people.
Gold-Olufadi, who is a Consultant Physician and Dermatologist, University College Hospital, Ibadan, said, “It is however not possible to predict those that will develop vitiligo, and in those that develop it, it is not because of anything they did, ate or were exposed to.
“Vitiligo is an acquired skin condition which causes depigmentation (complete absence of colour) in different parts of the skin. It can also affect the lining of the lips and genital area.
“There are several conditions in medicine that the cause is unknown and is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
“Vitiligo is one of such conditions with unknown cause, however, research has shown that autoimmunity is the most important contributory factor.”
The dermatologist assured that vitiligo could be effectively managed, adding, however, that the management largely depends on the extent of involvement.
The physician pointed out that there are certain creams, medications and procedures that are used in managing vitiligo.
She went on to say that vitiligo occurs more often in younger people.
” However, it can occur in older people too. Vitiligo does not change a person’s race from black to white.
“In most cases, vitiligo does not affect all areas of the skin. In few cases, it may be so extensive that only limited areas are spared”, she added
Gold-Olufadi appealed to persons with vitiligo in the country not to allow stigma to make them fall into depression while urging them to know that they are not different from people without skin conditions.
“The major challenge is the stigmatisation. The skin is the largest and most visible organ in the body, and skin conditions may affect self-esteem and impact the quality of life negatively.
“If you add the stigmatisation by people to that, it affects the quality of life even more. As part of management, we focus heavily on counselling and education to reduce the impact of the stigmatisation created by people.
“Generally, people with skin diseases unfairly face a lot of stigmatisation and dermatologists are actively working through all available platforms to educate the general public to stop the stigmatisation against people with skin diseases”, the physician stated.
Encouraging persons with vitiligo not to allow the skin condition to affect their self-esteem, the dermatologist advised, “I want them to know that vitiligo does not affect their awesomeness and that they can do anything patients without vitiligo can do too.
“They should join support groups and even become a strong voice and advocates of people living with vitiligo.
They should also know that they are beautiful in their different shades.”
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