This skin ailment has caused various problems for the Indian people as they live in fear of being isolated from society. Have you ever encountered a person with white patches spread across their skin and wondered how they got it? Have you ever questioned how Michael Jackson’s skin colour transformed drastically over the years? The answer lies in a term titled vitiligo, a disease that causes the loss of skin colour when pigment-producing cells either stop functioning or die. It is just a skin condition and not associated with any physical symptoms. The Stigma India has the most prevalent cases of vitiligo, followed by Mexico and Japan. In a country like this, which still carries racist prejudices regarding beauty, where fairness is considered by many to be the epitome of beauty, vitiligo has much social stigma compared to other developed nations. In many parts of India, due to a lack of education and deeply rooted superstitions, the condition is considered a ‘punishment of past sins.’ In a few religious texts where the concept of reincarnation exists, it is believed that a person who did “Guru Droh” in his previous life suffers from vitiligo in their existing life. Dhaval Desai, an Indian doctor currently based in Georgia, spoke about how carrying two skin colours on one body resulted in reactions like gazing, questioning, staring and pointing a white patch out from people around him made him feel ostracized and isolated. People generally never really asked him what happened to his skin. If they did, he honestly didn’t know how to answer them, so he would say, “Oh, they’re just sunburned scars,” or some version of that story, and move on. Reducing The Stigma In today’s age, where science and facts are more available topeople, many NGOs are taking strides to do their part in the fight against the vitiligo stigma. Shweta Association is a Vitiligo Support Group that considers a person associated with the disorder and their emotional and psychological needs. Composed of dermatologists, psychiatrists, ophthalmologists, the organisation helps people learn the scientific facts about the disorder and provides counselling to those in need. Other people have chosen to rise and use their chosen platform to speak out. Ninu Galot, a UK-based Indian, was diagnosed with Vitiligo when she was 11 years old. In 2017, she enrolled in a fitness competition with a motive of educating people about vitiligo. After gaining success as a model, she used her platform to motivate other people affected by vitiligo and discourage the myths associated with it.
27 Oct 2022
Ashmit Kumar
