For some Vitiligo may be menace, for others it may be just a disorder or cosmetic defect, and for a few it may be a boon,

However, for almost everyone, it creates an inflexion point in their lives.

For science it is still an enigma, for society it is still a stigma.

For Self and Family it is a very big Change indeed, which needs meticulous Management...throughout…

Welcome to this patient support and research centre for Vitiligo, primarily aimed at taking responsibility in bridging the gap between patients, doctors, researchers, therapies and access to treatment.

Here you can share your experience, mentor and get mentored, know others problem, give and take relief.

• To get a credible theraphy patient should be knowledgeable and demanding
• Doctors should realise that Vitiligo is more than just a cosmetic disorder – it is a real disease.
• Patients, researchers, clinicians and pharmacologists should work together under a vision to get a remedy for this menace.

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About Vitiligo...

Vitiligo (pronounced vit-ill-EYE-go) is a pigmentation disorder in which skin loses its original color and turns white, because, melanocytes (the cells that make pigment and thus responsible for color of the skin) in the skin are destroyed or rendered dysfunctional. About 0.5 to 2% of the world's population is affected by Vitiligo. This disorder affects both sexes and all races equally; however, it is more noticeable in people with dark skin. Know more about Vitiligo

VICARE believes that the most challenging aspect of Vitiligo care is not the chronicity or progressive behavior of this disorder, but the unscientific and inhuman feeling amongst myopic people that these "Ugly white spots" are manifestation of God’s punishment i.e., a sign of sin.

Vitiligo and India

During pre independence period one english General had rightly said 'Indians are like horses, they come with multiple skin colors'. However being tropical country blackish - brown is predominant in south. Vitiligo becomes conspicuous amongst people of Indian subcontinent.

The social set up prevailing in subcontinent and various superstitions often breeds so many illogical thories and makes a vitiligo patient's life miserable. The first prime minister of India, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru ranked vitiligo as one of three major medical problems of India, the other two being leprosy and malaria. (Refer QOL paper ) Modern education and economic growth are yet to do good to Vitligo Patients in India.

It is time NGOs like VICARE work, at multiple levels, to better the life of Vitiligo Patients.

India is birth place of Ayurveda and Yoga, ayurveda is renowned nature based traditional system of medicine. (Know more about Ayurveda) VICARE believes that reverse pharmacological approach can accelerate drug discovery for Vitiligo. So there must be integration of modern medicine with traditional systems especially for resolving enigmatic Skin disorders like Vitiligo. (A nice article on Reverse Pharmacology)

India is also world's biggest home for Vitiligo patients, offerring good and diverse resource pool for Vitiligo researchers.

Vicare believes that India can be good base for future Vitiligo research as cost of research is low, and there is availability of young researchers

Know more about Vitiligo World In India

What VICARE wants to Do

We are framing ourselves as an NGO (Non Governmental Organisation) based in India. However, our activities are not limited to India or for Indians only. We feel unitary approach to this disorder can make miracles in getting us closer to solving this enigma. To know more about our Vision, Mission and Goals, please Click Here

A noble goal like this can’t be achieved by one individual or an organisation working in isolation, however hard we work. VICARE appreciates valuable and timely contributions to strengthen its deliverables. Anyone can help with their time and money. Creative ideas are welcomed from everyone. Please note, it is your Organisation and your foundation. Send in your contributions to further the work of this Foundation. Please know how you can Support Us

Register with us, your registration will help the Vitiligo world in many ways. Also feel free to participate in following surveys

General Vitiligo Survey click here for Online Submission Or Download, Fill up and Mail Us

Vitiligo Survey For Indians to know more about its status in India Online Submission Or

Download, Fill up and Mail Us

Vitiligo Care and Research

The first step of patient care, is when Doctor aptly tells their patients and patient relatives that there is no treatment for Vitiligo and mentors then for the inflexion point, in front of them. So what vitiligo patients need is Palliative Care.

Vitiligo is a Change maker to everyone; it is a great leveler, affecting all, be it rich, poor, ugly or beautiful! More than the application or administration of existing therapies, Vitiligo needs a mental approach - a counseling in need, A motivating gesture of near one, caring attitude of friends and relatives.

Patient's Self esteem and motivation are most effective tools of palliative care. So to know more about how to handle Vitiligo as Change agent please visit Patient Care column

The cause of Vitiligo is STILL not known, but doctors and researchers have several different theories – Autoimmune, Cytotoxic, Neural, Genetic, etc. In last 2 decades there has been many breakthroughs in Vitiligo research, however the final whistle is yet to be heard...don’t know when it will happen.

Everyone wants to know the current status of research in Vitiligo, be it researcher, Doctor, Patient, patient supporters’ friend/relative or an inquisitor. In this site we have been making prompt attempt in updating latest information and also review/analyse the outcomes/progress of the research. Please look at research updates page and leave your comments which can help us all.