Overview:
June 25, 2011 marks the first time vitilgo was celebrated. It has since become an annual global event that aims to shed light on this forgotten disease, as well as the challenges vitiligo patients deal with.
The color of hair and skin in the human body is determined by melanin. Vitiligo occurs when the melanocytes producing melanin die or stop working. This could be caused by a problem in the immune system; however, the exact reason is rather unknown.
Facts:
- The average prevalence of vitiligo is 0.5%-2% of the world population, but local numbers may vary from 0.004% to 9.98%, depending on the region and age group. The total number of people suffering from vitiligo is estimated at around 65-95 million people worldwide.
- Vitiligo is a generally unpredictable skin disease that causes a gradual loss of skin color and overlying hair on different parts of the body.
- Vitiligo is neither life threatening nor contagious.
- Vitiligo signs vary considerably from person to person. It is more pronounced in people with dark or tanned skin.
- Vitiligo commonly affects areas on the skin that are exposed to sun, previous sites of skin injury, body folds -– such as armpits – and areas around body openings, genitals also may be affected. Initially, the vitiligo may start as a patch that is slightly paler than the rest of your skin but will gradually become completely white.
Objectives:
- Raise awareness of the disease and proper treatment methods among the public and healthcare providers.
Official date:
- Globally: 25 June 2021
- Locally: 15 Dhul-Qe’dah 1442H
Theme:
«Together, We Raise Awareness on Vitiligo»
References: