Vitiligo. What is it? Is it important?

Abstract

IF WE were to rank disorders according to the discrepancy between the interest to the patient vs the interest to the physician, vitiligo would probably be at the top of the list. The patient with moderate to severe anxiety will seek help for a disfiguring loss of pigment. The physician will say, "You have vitiligo. There is no cure and we do not know the cause. Your health in general is fine, so please try to adjust to the presence of white spots on your skin and try not be vain. Use makeup if you wish." The patient does not respond. The physician, satisfied that the patient understands, believes that it was proper to be direct, to be straightforward. The patient departs quietly but with inner turmoil and anger. The physician has tried to shame the patient into believing that no real problem exists. The patient wishes that the physician