1) As a patient:
First of all, you need to get convinced for yourself that vitiligo is a not serious illness. Vitiligo is much less serious than allergy, colds or asthma that over 20% of the world population suffer! Apart from making a change in your appearance it does not harm you in any way.

What is more important is a positive attitude towards vitiligo.

Do not feel embarrassed, ashamed, depressed, or worried about how others will react.

Do not avoid social situations and parties. Let people around you know once and for all that you have some color problem with your skin.

There are many products out there to provide excellent camouflage of vitiligo spots.

Consult a doctor who specializes in dealing with vitiligo cases.

2) As a parent:

Children usually cope best with vitiligo when their parents themselves are not over anxious about it. Your own over consciousness may create more problems for your child than the actual vitiligo. Learn to overcome that.

Let your child know that vitiligo is a benign skin problem and it is not serious.

Educate your child on how to answer his friends, teachers and relatives if they enquire about vitiligo. S/he should be taught to answer firmly and carelessly about the insignificant nature of vitiligo.

Communicate with some of the close relatives (grand parents, aunts, uncles, neighbors and teachers) informing them about vitiligo, requesting them not to discuss it with your child.

Avoid discussing your child’s vitiligo repeatedly. Moreover, avoid negative discussion about vitiligo during the child’s presence. Examination of the spots is better done when the child is asleep.

When your child questions you whether anything can be done for this or not, explain your child that this condition can be treated to certain extent like any other skin ailment.

Support your child, and encourage him/her to get involve with activities and hobbies.

Do not allow vitiligo to interfere with your child’s joy of living and his self esteem. Do not restrict your child from wearing clothing which may expose some white spots on the skin. Do encourage your child to continue attending social events, other activities like swimming, hiking, sports etc.

Help your child to boost self confidence and let vitiligo not come on his/her way of growing as a person.

3) As a citizen (who does not suffer from vitiligo):

Vitiligo is a benign, non-infectious condition of the skin. Those who suffer from it do also suffer from some emotional trauma associated with vitiligo. As a civilized person it is our duty to have healthy outlook towards those who suffer from Vitiligo.

Do not stare at a person with vitiligo. It is considered bad manners to embarrass any one suffering from vitiligo!

Do not discuss with the sufferer as to what is this, how did it happen, etc which might make him feel more embarrassed.

Patients with vitiligo do not need pity or sympathy.