Vitiligo A Non-contagious, Harmless Skin Condition, Says Expert

At first, she dismissed it as a simple fungal infection. But as the weeks passed, the white patches spread, eventually covering almost her entire face. It was then that she was diagnosed with vitiligo.

“Not many people are familiar with this condition. Some describe it as a ‘strange’ disease,” Farah, 26, told Bernama.

“I often get asked what’s wrong with my face… some ask if it is due to skin burn or whether my skin is peeling, and I always respond positively because maybe they just don’t know or lack knowledge about my skin condition.”

Farah admitted that the condition initially made her feel uncomfortable as it affected her face.

“I felt shy and my confidence took a hit. But once I got used to it, I started to see it as normal. Now, my skin has almost completely recovered on its own without any treatment or medication,” she added.

 

Vitiligo is a skin condition caused by the loss of a pigment called melanin in certain areas, resulting in white or lighter patches that contrast with the person’s natural skin tone.

While vitiligo is not harmful to physical health, the visible changes in skin appearance can affect a person’s self-confidence and emotional well-being.

Content creator Space Dollah, 36, who also has vitiligo, recently opened up about his journey with the condition in a podcast.

Space Dollah, whose real name is Syed Abdullah Syed Abdul Rahman, is the brother of Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman.

He also regularly shares information about the condition, including scientific explanations and documentaries related to vitiligo, on his social media platforms.

He admitted that he disappeared from social media for six months due to the effects of vitiligo, which he has been living with for the past four years.

“My vitiligo isn’t only on my face but also all over my body, and that made me embarrassed to go out or meet friends.

“... But I started to feel okay once I accepted myself, and I realised I don’t need to care about what others think. My advice to anyone with a skin condition like this is to take their time to accept it and don’t feel pressured,” he said, adding the support of his family and friends gave him the strength to live life like everyone else.

Well-known American model Winnie Harlow is also among those living with vitiligo. Harlow is also actively involved in various programmes to raise awareness and public knowledge about the condition. Another famous personality who had vitiligo was the late King of Pop Michael Jackson.

 

Consultant dermatologist at Sunway Medical Centre Velocity here Dr Irene Lee Chew Kek, meanwhile, said contrary to popular belief, vitiligo is not a rare disease as approximately 0.5 to two percent of the global population is affected by it.

She said vitiligo occurs when pigment-producing cells in the skin decrease, resulting in white patches on the skin’s surface, including the face.

The condition can affect people of all backgrounds, and individuals with a family history of the condition may be at higher risk of developing it.

There are two types of vitiligo: non-segmental and segmental. Non-segmental vitiligo is more common and is caused by an autoimmune issue, where the immune system attacks the pigment cells in the skin.

“In the case of segmental vitiligo, it can be caused by various factors, including autoimmune issues, nerve-related problems and genetics,” Dr Lee said.

She explained that in non-segmental vitiligo, white patches usually appear on both sides of the body, and these patches may develop and stop progressing several times throughout a person’s life.

In contrast, with segmental vitiligo, the white patches usually appear in one specific area of the body, persist for a while and then fade.

“Vitiligo usually doesn’t cause other symptoms such as pain or itchiness, apart from the appearance of white patches... it also doesn’t lead to other physical problems or qualify as a disability.

“However, for individuals living with this condition, it may cause emotional stress or affect their quality of life due to the visible patches on their bodies,” she said.

 

Clarifying that vitiligo is not a contagious disease, Dr Lee said vitiligo cases in Malaysia are at a manageable level.

“So far, the progression of vitiligo in Malaysia has remained stable. Thanks to advancements in medical treatment and the availability of healthcare facilities, more patients are now seeking treatment for the condition,” she said.

She added that research also shows that genetics is the primary factor contributing to 80 percent of vitiligo cases worldwide. As for the remaining 20 percent of vitiligo cases, the contributing factors include race (Indian communities), autoimmune responses, and biochemical and environmental influences. 

According to Dr Lee, many vitiligo patients currently opt for cosmetic treatments such as laser therapy, which can reduce or treat the white patches without affecting the unaffected areas of the skin.

She said for individuals with mild vitiligo, non-steroidal creams like tacrolimus, pimecrolimus and calcipotriol can be applied to the affected areas.

“Those with more severe vitiligo may be prescribed medications such as steroids, methotrexate, ciclosporin, mycophenolate mofetil or others suited to the patient’s condition,” she said, adding many patients have fully recovered through existing treatments.

“Even for those who don’t achieve complete recovery, the white patches on their bodies often fade or improve gradually with treatment.”

Dr Lee also urged people with vitiligo not to feel ashamed of their condition.

“Vitiligo is simply a difference in the skin colour,” she stressed, adding, “First and foremost, they need to understand that this condition isn’t caused by anything they’ve done wrong. It has nothing to do with personal hygiene, which people often assume is the cause of vitiligo.

“The public also needs to be aware that this disease is not infectious. Unfortunately, some members of the public are afraid to be near people with vitiligo and avoid them unnecessarily.”

She said patients also need to know that vitiligo is treatable, and early intervention can improve the chances of recovery.

“In the meantime, while waiting for the patches to heal, individuals can choose to cover them with makeup if they wish,” she added.

 

-- BERNAMA