Vitiligo

“Vitiligo is a disease which causes loss of skin color. The loss of skin color occurs in patches and discoloration increases with time. 

Unlike other skin diseases, Vitiligo does not discriminate but can spread to all parts of the skin, going further to affect the hair color.” The professor struggled to hide his chuckle as he looked around the lecture theater.

I sat still struggling to keep my eyes open. There was a test this morning so I had pulled an all-nighter last night. My test went well but apparently, my body was not.

“You think he noticed us?” My friend, Callman asked exasperated.

“Just go back to sleep C, you’ll be fine even if you sleep through the entire semester”, On the other side of Callman, was Deborah my model friend, Callman was the genius.

I laughed earning reproachful look from the professor.

“People with vitiligo often face social challenges and discrimination due to their appearance. They may be stared at, receive unwanted comments or questions about their skin. They may also experience feelings of isolation, depression, and low self-esteem because of people’s receptiveness to their skin discoloration. In some cases, people with vitiligo may even be subjected to bullying or verbal abuse. It is of importance to note that these social consequences can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health and overall quality of life.

You can read up on the social consequences on you own.

There are a few potential medical effects of vitiligo. First, it can put people at an increased risk for sunburn and skin cancer, since the areas of lighter skin may not have the same level of protection from the sun. People with vitiligo may also be at risk for eye problems, including dry eyes and light sensitivity. Additionally, vitiligo can sometimes cause complications with thyroid function, hearing, and other organs. Finally, there may be psychological effects, such as anxiety and depression.

In the light of that, you can go study more on skin discoloration.” The professor ended as he gave the class a pointed look.

I giggled as Deborah nudged me, rousing me and Callman from our dozing.

“We still have practical” was all she said and I groaned.

“Next time, you won’t pull an all-nighter” she retorted and I stuck my tongue out at her. 

For all I cared, I understood the basics of Vitiligo and that was enough for me.

Writer Details:Temidayo✍️

Location:Ekiti State University,Ado Ekiti,Nigeria🇳🇬.