Logina Salah, elected Miss Egypt in 2024, was diagnosed at the age of 8. Skin changes, which have no cure and are not transmissible, are still surrounded by stigma and prejudice.
The model Logina Salah, elected Miss Egypt in 2024, is one of those selected to compete for the crown of the 73rd edition of the Miss Universewhich will take place this Saturday, 16. Diagnosis vitiligo at 8 years old, Logina’s presence on the pageant’s catwalk is considered another step towards breaking fashion’s aesthetic standards, as well as drawing attention to a condition that, despite affecting a million Brazilians, still carries doubts and stigma.
“I am thrilled to represent Egypt, women affected by vitiligo and anyone who has ever felt like they don’t belong in the country,” Logina, who is 34, said in a press interview in October this year . “My mission is to empower those who feel marginalized by letting them know they are not alone,” she added.
What is vitiligo?
According to the Israelite Albert Einstein HospitalVitiligo is a skin disease, meaning it affects the skin exclusively. Its main characteristic is the loss of pigmentation, which causes it to lighten in various regions of the body. This happens due to the change in the number of melanocytes, cells that produce melanin, the protein responsible for skin pigmentation.
According to the Ministry of HealthSkin changes affect 0.5 to 2% of the world’s population. In Brazil, more than one million people have vitiligo (0.54% of Brazilians) and in the country it affects 1.2% of whites and 1.9% of brown and black people, appearing among the 25 diseases most common and frequent dermatological conditions in all macro-regions of the country.
It is important to highlight that there is a lot of misinformation and, consequently, many prejudices, regarding vitiligo, as highlighted by the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD). Precisely for this reason it is not uncommon to find people who believe that the disease is contagious, which is not true. Only people with variations in the number of melanocytes suffer from this condition, which is not spread from person to person.
What are the causes?
Although the cause of vitiligo is not yet completely clear, the main hypothesis points to an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks melanocytes, cells responsible for the production of melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin. Although the exact origin of the disease remains unknown, it is known that vitiligo can be hereditary or occur spontaneously, without a clear trigger.
In addition to the possible autoimmune origin, the Albert Einstein highlights other factors that may be associated with vitiligo:
- Traumatic events, both emotional and physical (episodes of stress extremes or burns, for example);
- Contact with chemicals that can lead to the death of melanocytes.
Importantly, according to SBD, the skin, being the largest organ in the body, often reacts to signals of emotional and physical stress. This occurs because the skin and the nervous system share the same origin, the ectoderm, which allows constant communication between them.
“For this reason, diseases such as vitiligo, psoriasis and eczema can be exacerbated by psychosomatic factors, in which stress and emotional tensions directly influence the onset and progression of skin lesions,” underlines the medical body. Precisely for this reason, it is common that, during
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Some emotional problems are found in patients suffering from the disease, such as stressful situations, such as the loss of a loved one, family quarrels, dismissal, among other traumas.
On the other hand, injuries caused by the disease often significantly affect quality of life and self-esteem. “Therefore, in most cases, psychological support is recommended to prevent the onset of new lesions and obtain positive effects from treatment,” highlights the SBD.
What are the symptoms?
Most patients do not experience any symptoms other than the appearance of white patches on the skin. In some cases they report feeling sensitivity and pain in the affected area, but this is not a rule.
When vitiligo is detected, the dermatologist can classify it into two types:
- Segmental or unilateral: occurs only in one part of the body, usually when the patient is still young. Fur and hair may also lose color.
- Not segmental or bilateral: It is the most common type. It occurs on both sides of the body, for example on two hands, two feet, two knees. In general, the spots first appear on the extremities such as the hands, feet, nose and mouth. There are cycles of color loss and times when disease develops. Then there are periods of stagnation. These cycles occur throughout life and their duration, as well as depigmented areas, tend to enlarge over time.
Is there a treatment?
According to the Ministry of Health, there is no cure for vitiligo. However, there are very effective treatments to reduce the growth of spots. Among the therapeutic options, which must be carried out under the guidance of dermatologists, is the use of drugs that induce repigmentation in the affected regions. It is also possible to use technologies such as laser, surgical techniques or melanocyte transplantation.
Vitiligo treatment is individualized and results can vary greatly from patient to patient. Therefore, only a qualified professional can recommend the best option.
“It is important to remember that the disease can be optimally controlled with adequate therapy and complete repigmentation of the skin, without any chromatic differentiation”, underlines the MS.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
