Ten ways to cope with vitiligo

Last Updated on 6th September 2022 by Caroline Haye

Common vitiligo coping strategies

From the first moment a person notices white patches appearing somewhere on their skin, they start to develop coping strategies. Whether they realise it or not. There is no right or wrong way to react to pigment loss. After all, we are all different. And different approaches work for different people. But it is worth being aware that some strategies are constructive whilst others can be self-destructive and counterproductive. Which of the following ten ways to cope with vitiligo do you use?

1. Ignore it and hope it will go away

This is often our first reaction to seeing changes in our skin. We hope it is just one of those things. Like a rash or a fungal infection and we imagine that it will clear up on its own. When we realise this is not going to happen we visit our doctor. We fully expect that a prescription for some cream or a course of tablets will sort us out. It is usually at this point that we receive a diagnosis of vitiligo, along with the customary uplifting talk. (You know the one – “incurable… tough luck… just be glad it’s not cancer”, etc., etc.).

2. Cover it up and try not to think about it

This strategy differs slightly from the first one because it involves a conscious effort to hide the condition. From others (and even from oneself too).  If you can hide it well enough under clothing, makeup and camouflage no one will notice. And you won’t have to think about it either. (Just as long as you avoid mirrors every time you remove your disguise).

3. Keep calm and take charge

Most non-life-threatening skin complaints are relatively simple to treat. So it is not unreasonable for our first reaction to expect outside intervention. Surely our doctor, dermatologist, pharmacist, health food shop, herbalist or alternative therapist will know how to solve the problem.  However, the absence of any significant help from these sources can bring us to a stark realisation. If we are going to find any real solutions, we are going to have to take charge of our vitiligo ourselves.

4. Give way to panic and despair

You know you are doing this when you find yourself checking the mirror every hour or so. Looking for new lesions or wondering if the ones you spotted earlier were just a trick of the light. Alternating between crying, praying and bargaining with God. Promising never to complain about anything else ever again. You vow to devote the rest of your life to doing good deeds if only you can wake up tomorrow morning to find it was all a bad dream. To find your normal, even skin tone has been restored to you.  You can think of little else other than your skin. Obsessing over the size and number of lesions you find each day consumes you. And you look at other people walking around with their perfect complexions and ask “why me?”

5. Self-destruct

Our instinct for self-preservation is very strong. So it takes a lot to cause a person to want to harm themselves. But a condition like vitiligo can totally undermine our sense of security. It can rob us of our confidence, even our sense of identity. And this is sometimes so overwhelming that it can lead to self-destructive behaviour like substance abuse. Or to socially harmful behaviour like pushing away friends and family. This goes way beyond the occasional bout of self-pity and is something that may need professional help.  There is no shame whatsoever in this. And I would urge anyone who is feeling overwhelmed (like the lady who emailed me recently and admitted to suicidal feelings) to find a professional to talk to about it with before things go any further.

6. Scour the internet for cures

By the time the internet had become the obvious go-to destination for the answers to all of life’s questions, my vitiligo had all but gone. But I know that the first thing most people today do on receiving a diagnosis of vitiligo is go online. Spending hours on end, searching the internet for answers. Trying out every remedy going. Learning everything you can about the condition. These are wonderful opportunities that were not available to previous generations of vitiligo sufferers and I am a big advocate. But, as with anything else, it can be a two-edged sword. So it needs to be approached with common sense and moderation if you are to avoid becoming totally obsessed. Or, worse still, falling prey to unscrupulous charlatans claiming to have a cure.

7. Embrace your vitiligo

This attitude has become much more prevalent since social media developed. People around the world now have a way of sharing their experiences and photos. And awareness of vitiligo has increased (albeit from a starting point of practically zero).  As coping strategies go, it is a very positive one. But, since it requires the individual to be completely open about their appearance and expose themselves to the scrutiny and curiosity of others. So, it is not for the faint-hearted.  If this approach is not for you, you should not feel guilty about that.  No one can tell you how you should deal with your vitiligo.  Not everyone is able to embrace theirs.  It only works for some but, when it does, it is certainly very inspiring to the rest of us.

8. Turn it into something creative

Some people are able to go one step further than simply embracing their vitiligo. They decide that, since life has handed them a lemon, they will make lemonade.  Winnie Harlow has built a highly successful modelling career around her vitiligo. Keira Walcott created her own makeup range. Broadcaster Lee Thomas became a prominent vitiligo ambassador, author and motivational speaker.  And these are just a few of the individuals who have turned their skin condition to inspirational advantage.

9. Draw strength from others

​Drawing strength from others can be a powerful and mutually satisfying way of coping with any difficult situation. Inspiration and support can come from celebrities or from “ordinary” vitiligo friends we meet. Reaching out to others on forums, at meetings or from within our network of family and friends is incredibly therapeutic. In fact, the love, acceptance, wisdom and humour of others is sometimes the best medicine we could ask for.

10. Give strength to others

This is often a natural consequence of the previous strategy and, in my experience, is even more powerful. When we look to others for help and support, we find ourselves sharing our experiences. We share our innermost feelings and life lessons. And so the benefits flow both ways.   A hidden benefit of having to cope with a challenging condition is that it increases our appreciation, compassion and understanding of others.  I used to think that people who claim it is better to give than to receive must be either hypocrites or saints. But now I think they just have a better understanding of how human beings work than I did.

It’s clear to see which of the above strategies are constructive and which are the opposite. And it is equally clear that adopting a constructive strategy (or maybe several) is the wise choice. But for many people living with vitiligo arriving at that choice does not come at all easily. For them, adopting a positive coping strategy is not a one-time decision. It is a journey that has its highs and lows and takes as long as it takes. It can often feel like a solitary journey. But, in reality, there are more people on that journey than any of us realises. So it does not have to be made alone.