Dr. Mark G. Lebwohl: "World Vitiligo Day: Skin Disease Takes Emotional Toll"
June 25 marks World Vitiligo Day, which is aimed at raising awareness about the incurable disease. Vitiligo affects roughly 100 million people worldwide, according to the Vitiligo Research Foundation.
It's not contagious or fatal, but scientists don't know exactly what causes it. "The body acts as if it's allergic to its pigment cells," said Mark G. Lebwohl, MD, Sol and Clara Kest Professor of Dermatology and Chair of the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The pigment cells, also known as melanocytes, die or stop producing melanin, leaving patches of colorless skin all over a person's body. Learn more