VITILIGO: FACTS

 

VITILIGO FACTS

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder and not merely a “cosmetic” problem.

Vitiligo affects the immune system which then affects the skin, resulting in white patches.

70 million people across the world have vitiligo.

There are no boundaries of race, ethnicity or gender.

Anyone—children and adults representing all ethnicities— can get vitiligo at any time.

20-35% of patients are children.

Nearly 1% of the population is affected.

Vitiligo is NOT contagious.

Vitiligo is difficult to hide. This disease is misunderstood and the isolation people with vitiligo feel can be crippling.

Psychologically devastating, many patients feel isolated and devastated by its impact on their relationships and personal and professional lives.

There is no known cure.

There is very little research funding for vitiligo to better understand the disease and develop new treatments.

Many of the currently available treatments are not covered by insurance.

Various treatments, including topical creams and light therapy, can help some patients.

More treatments and research are needed.

Source: Global Vitiligo Foundation