Mangaluru: World Vitiligo Day at KMC June 25-27

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 25, 2015: Kasturba Hospital, is observing ’World Vitiligo Day’  with special vitiligo packages for patients from June 25 to 27. Vitiligo is characterised by skin colour loss and turns to white patches, due to destruction or malfunction of melanocytes (cells that produce melanin). Vitiligo is usually discovered in the 10-30 age group. This disease affects all races and in same proportion for males and females. 

More than 10 crore people in the world are affected by Vitiligo. Human Body’s immune system sees the melanocyte pigment cells in the skin as foreign bodies and attacks them resulting in vitiligo condition. Dr Satish Pai, HOD of dermatology, Kasturba Hospital noted that depression, anxiety, social embarrassment and self-consciousness caused by vitiligo are very common. The affected face  discrimination insults, segregation in life and work among many difficulties. patients.

Dr Satish Pai, said there are many advanced treatment facilities and latest medications available for treating patients. It is important to seek help of a skin specialist at the earliest in case of vitiligo. The disease is not at all contagious and needs no isolation from the affected people. Phototherapy (UVA and NB UVB) are some of the options to get back the normal skin colour but starting treatment early is most important.