Vidarbha Dermatological Society, (VDS) had organized a Continuing Medical Education Programme (CME) at Hotel Tuli Imperial, Nagpur on Sunday on advanced management of Vitiligo to mark World Vitiligo Day falling on June 25, 2019. At the outset Dr. Dhanraj Patel President VDS, made opening welcome speech
Dr. Vikrant Saoji was the key note speaker and informed that Vitiligo is a harmless cosmetic skin condition affecting 1 to 2 % of population. It is characterized by white patches which is caused by destruction of pigment bearing cells of the skin called “Melanin†pigment. It can involve any parts of the body but are affected to start with and lips, hand, feet are the resistant areas. Vitiligo involves skin and surrounding hair around the white patches.
The exact cause of Vitiligo is unknown. It is believed to be due to genetic susceptibility which is triggered by unknown factors. Other risk factors include hypertension, thyroid, positive family history of Vitiligo, alopecia aerate. However Vitiligo can have profound psychological and social impact on the sufferer. Many people with Vitiligo feel humiliated and stigmatized; often end up going to the quacks and illegal practitioners. IT is better if we all are aware of myths and realities.
Dr. Bipin Mehta and Dr. S.K. Punshi were the Chairpersons. Vitiligo affects 2% of population and never contagious. Vitiligo is hereditary in a small minority of cases. Vitiligo is a cosmetic problem and not related to leprosy. Dr. Prachi mate and Dr. Atul Salodkar also contributed their views on management and therapy. They said Vitiligo can be treated effectively by long term regular treatment. There are different treatment options of Vitiligo which depends on number of white patches, area of involvement and with the intensity of development of new patches. Following are few treatment options mentioned
- Medical therapy : Tablets and creams prescribed by the dermatologist that prevent the body from destroying its pigment bearing cells
- Surgical Modalities:- This modality is combined with medical therapy along with more specific ultraviolet and narrow band ultraviolet B on safer doses and excimer laser are comparatively newer and even safer modalities. Patients with stable Vitiligo (No new patches for one year) are suitable for surgery. The surgical methods are : i)skin grafts
- ii) Micropigmentation
iii) Suction blister grafting
- iv) Keratocyte – Melanocyte culture. Treatment should be taken from certified Dermatologists alone.
Vitiligo day is observed  to come together and fight Vitiligo by i) Avoiding any kind of discrimination of Vitiligo affected individual, and ii) Avoiding and by encouraging Vitiligo affected individuals for self help goups for Vitiligo.   The team led by Dr. Dhanraj Patel is holding many more awareness camps to mark the day. The CME was largely attended by members drawn from all over the Vidarbha and neighboring states.