Why is there stigma of vitiligo?
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Hi, So far I understand vitiligo is a common, acquired, discoloration of the skin, characterized by well-circumscribed, ivory or chalky white macules which are flush to the skin surface. It affects 1% of the population worldwide. Both sexes are affected equally. There is a gradual loss of pigment melanin from the skin layers which results in white patches. But why there is stigma of vitiligo?
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@udipta As such vitiligo is hardly a disease of medical significance but there is more of a social stigma attached to it because of cosmetic reasons. It, however, brings about great psychological tension to the patient who is more embarrassed than the victim of any pain or discomfort. These patches gradually increase in size and cause lot of psychological stress in the patient. While vitiligo is a physical disorder, the patches can be mistaken for dirty marks, a social deviance. With its cause not widely known, the individual may be blamed for their lesions. Thus vitiligo is not just the lack of skin pigment, but affects the entire identity of a person.