Stigma key reason for high depression among vitiligo patients: Doctors

Vitiligo a condition causing white patches on the skin can have a profound impact beyond physical appearance Societal stigmas are increasing the risk of depression among the patients said doctors on World Vitiligo Day on TuesdayWorld Vitiligo Day is observed every year on June 25 to raise awareness about vitiligo and related issuesVitiligo is a skin condition characterised by the loss of skin colour in patches It occurs when melanocytes the cells responsible for producing melanin the pigment that gives skin its colour are destroyed or stop functioningThe exact cause of vitiligo is not fully understood but its believed to involve the immune system attacking pigment cells A combination of genetic autoimmune stress and environmental factors such as sunburn are likely to contribute to the conditionIt manifests as white patches on the skin anywhere on the body sometimes including hair eyes and the inside of the mouth ldquoVitiligo can lead to social isolation and discrimination due to the visible changes in skin pigmentation This negativity from society can significantly impact selfesteem and contribute to feelings of depressionrdquo Dr Pankaj B Borade Consultant Psychiatrist Ruby Hall Clinic Pune told IANSA recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association JAMA Dermatology showed that 89 per cent of vitiligo patients in India report moderate to high depressive symptomsThe high mental stress among patients was due to the prevalence of a negative perception of vitiligo revealed the studyDr Pankaj said that this mental distress can disrupt daily life affecting everything from social interactions to clothing choicesldquoThe study suggests social stigma might be particularly strong in India potentially explaining the higher depression rates The appearance of vitiligo patches can be stressful and affect a persons body image This can lead to anxiety social withdrawal and feelings of isolation all of which are risk factors for depressionldquoBeauty standards in India that place a high value on fair skin make vitiligo even more challenging for patientsrdquo the doctor saidDr Sunil Kumar Prabhu Consultant ndash Dermatology Aster RV Hospital told IANS that theres no cure for vitiligo but management strategies and regular consultations with a dermatologist can significantly improve quality of lifeldquoTreatment focuses on restoring colour or creating a more even skin tone with options ranging from topical creams and light therapy to surgical procedures in severe casesrdquo he said adding that sun protection stress reduction and avoiding skin injuries are key ways to preventThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever