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Shweta Association

What is Vitiligo?

 

Shweta Association is a pioneering Vitiligo Support Group in India. Considering a Vitiligo person and his emotional, psychological, social and day-to-day needs, "Shweta" takes a holistic approach to all the problems. It provides a common platform for such people to unite them, discuss their problems, to exchange views, to learn scientific facts about the disorder and above all to improve the self image of the person.

Shweta Association works to achieve the aims stated above. A lot of people such as social workers, skin specialists (dermatologists), psychiatrists, pathologists, ophthalmologists, genetic counselors, beauticians etc. are actively involved with "Shweta". People suffering from this problem should come forward and join us. We hereby appeal to all the people who want to work for this cause to come forward and help us.

Vitiligo or Leucoderma is not a disease per se. It is an auto-immune disorder. Melanocytes or cells producing melanin pigment sometimes gradually decrease in number leading to white patches on the skin. This depigmentation of the skin does not affect other organs of the body. Cosmetic disfigurement and fear of hereditary transmission has attached an undue social stigma to this disorder.

Vitiligo is found all over the world and is seen in about 1% to 3% of the population. In approximately 15 to 20% people it can be transmitted to future generations. In 80% of the people it is secondary to some sort of allergy, trauma, etc. Vitiligo is not a contagious disease and it does not affect the physical and mental ability of a person in any manner. Many people with Vitiligo have gained prominence in various walks of life.

Diseases like Diabetes, High blood pressure, Cardiac disorders, Cancer etc. are hereditary, cause disability to certain extent and involve many vital organs in the body. But there is no social stigma attached to these. Social stigma attached to diseases like Leprosy, Tuberculosis, etc. has been eradicated to a great extent, as a result of social awareness campaigns, health education programs, and effective treatment. Our aim is to remove the social stigma attached to Vitiligo by creating awareness among people.