‘8%-9% of Indians are affected by vitiligo’

MUMBAI: More Indians, compared to people from other countries, are affected by vitiligo, a skin condition that results in white patches, and other pigmentation disorders, said Dr Torello Lotti, professor and chair of dermatology and venereology, University of Rome, Italy.
Vitiligo is a skin condition in which there is a loss of brown color from areas of skin, resulting in irregular white patches that feel like normal skin. While there is no known cure for the disease, it can be treated and controlled.
Dr Lotti, an expert on vitiligo, is in Mumbai along with Dr Jana Hercogova, presidentelect of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, to attend a conference on dermatology on Saturday.

Dr Lotti said that Indians could be more prone to the disease because of genetic and environmental factors. While the disease affects about 8% to 9% of the Indian population, the disease affects only 1% to 2% of the population in the rest of the world, he said.
Singer Michael Jackson suffered from vitiligo and his death anniversary, June 25, is celebrated as World Vitiligo Day.
“Vitiligo is considered infectious by many as people mistake it for leprosy. This stigma isolates people,” Dr Lotti said.
Dr Lotti will be announcing an award of 25,000 dollars from the Vitiligo Research Foundation for Indian doctors who present the best research papers on vitiligo at the conference.