Lee Thomas, an anchor on a Detroit TV station, appeared tonight on Larry King Live to talk about his struggle with vitiligo, a debilitating skin disease. Devastating for all who have it, it is particularly difficult for those with dark skin, because the disease makes you lose pigment and shows up so much more in those with dark skin. It is not a dangerous disease and is not contagious, but there is no cure and it is emotionally draining.
It is considered so devastating that some in India with the disease are shunned.
Thomas wears makeup on TV and puts it on himself. His skill is amazing--with the makeup on, you can't tell he has it at all. Off camera, he doesn't wear makeup, and he talked on Larry King about the stares he gets.
He says he does get treatment, and that is good. Not all people respond to treatment, but some respond very well to it. Drugs to treat the disease include ultravate and protopic, and some even say that such things as drinking green tea can help bring back pigment.
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