The story of a woman from Ha Nam province has garnered significant public attention since its publication by SCMP on 25/1. According to Ha Nam Television, tragedy struck Ly two years ago when a large patch of hair on her head suddenly turned grayish-white. Doctors diagnosed her with vitiligo, a chronic dermatological condition that causes loss of pigment in the skin, hair, and mucous membranes. Since then, Ly's appearance rapidly aged, and significant hair loss revealed large patches of her scalp.

Her altered appearance not only subjected Ly to external gossip but also led to alienation from her own family. She recounted how children on the street mocked her, calling her "Qiu Qianchi" - a character with an unsightly appearance in Jin Yong's wuxia novels. More tragically, her husband of 16 years began to show contempt, never taking her for medical check-ups or inquiring about her health, fearing medical expenses.

"Since I fell ill, he never allowed me to accompany him to parties or family gatherings, fearing embarrassment", Ly shared. Recently, she decided to end the suffocating marriage, accepting her husband's divorce proposal and winning custody of their children.

Ly reveals patches of hair loss due to her condition while being interviewed by a reporter. *Photo: Baidu*.

Doctor Luc Man Xuan, a senior specialist at Zhengzhou Vitiligo Hospital in Ha Nam, who took on Ly's case, noted that the initial depigmentation on the patient's scalp was not overly severe. However, negative emotions such as prolonged anxiety and depression caused the condition to spread and become more complex. According to Doctor Luc, an optimistic mindset acts as the most effective medicine to control this syndrome.

From a professional perspective, medical experts warn that vitiligo often has a silent onset, causing no pain or itching in its early stages. This can lead patients to be complacent, mistaking it for common skin conditions like tinea versicolor or pityriasis alba. Patients can identify it early by the sudden appearance of round or irregular white spots, clearly demarcated from healthy skin, initially only the size of a fingernail.

Over time, these white patches gradually transition from pale to milky white, then to porcelain white, reflecting the progressive loss of melanin pigment. In the affected areas, the skin surface remains smooth, without scaling, but hair or body hair tends to turn white. Exposed areas such as the face, neck, wrists, or oral mucous membranes are typically where the disease begins.

The medical community advises that if existing white patches spread or new spots appear with red inflammation at the edges within three months, individuals should immediately seek specialized medical attention. Doctors will perform clinical tests, such as Wood's lamp examination and skin CT scans, to intervene promptly. Vitiligo can affect anyone, with an estimated prevalence of 0,5% to 2% of the global population.

After receiving medical advice, Ly stated that she would let go of the past to focus on her treatment. On social media, the community offered many words of encouragement to the single mother. "Cherish yourself. When there's no one left to lean on, you must be your own support", a reader commented.

Binh Minh (According to SCMP, Sohu, HK01)