Carola Kipp-Broekman (62) from Apeldoorn has had vitiligo since 1985. (photo Gert Perdon) (Photo: )

White spots due to skin disorder:

Carola draws attention to vitiligo

Tue Jun 18, 2019, 8:36 am

Apeldoorn – An estimated 240,000 Dutch people suffer from vitiligo. A skin disorder in which the body attacks its own pigment cells. This causes white spots that can appear all over the body. Carola Kipp-Broekman (62) from Apeldoorn has had vitiligo since 1985. In the context of the upcoming World Vitiligo Day on June 25, she would like to tell her story. “To create understanding and open people's eyes.”

By Bert Nijenhuis

Her brother already had vitiligo, so Carola assumes that the condition in her case is genetically determined. “I know for sure that it was triggered by a desensitization treatment. An allergy test, in which I was vaccinated with various substances. That led to white spots on my skin. At first it was thought that it was a fungal infection, but it turned out to have nothing to do with that.”

After being diagnosed with vitiligo, Carola found herself in a medical turmoil. “In the hope of regaining pigment, I was first treated with UVA and UVB radiation. I then underwent a skin transplant. Skin particles containing pigment are transplanted into the spots.

This worked initially, but over time the brown skin disappeared again.”

Although she remains open to new treatment methods, Carola has decided to accept her skin condition above all. “It won't kill you. Nevertheless, it can be difficult, especially in the summer. When I wear short sleeves, I know people are looking at me. Children are more likely to ask about it. I used to say that I had the same thing as Michael Jackson, also a vitiligo patient. That worked very well! On holiday I don't worry about it as much. It is extremely important to apply the highest factor sunscreen to the white skin, otherwise you will burn alive.”

Carola says she gets a lot of support from her husband and children, who advise her not to worry about anything. “But when my daughter got married in the summer, I visited a so-called spray tan cabin. The tan you get there will wash off within a few days. You also become very creative in your choice of clothing.” In addition to the family, Carola says she receives a lot of support from the interest group Vitiligo.nl. “It's nice that you don't appear to be the only one and you share your experiences during the members' days. For example, I discovered that people with vitiligo are more likely to have a thyroid disorder, which I also have. Diabetes is also more common. A positive effect is that the condition not only breaks down pigment cells but also skin cancer cells.”

Acceptance, Carola emphasizes once again that that is what it is ultimately all about. “The American fashion model Winnie Harlow has made a great contribution in this regard by not camouflaging her vitiligo. If I can contribute by talking about it in public or in the media, I will not be deterred.”