Vitiligo

[Lozw86]

Hi there,

I suspect I have mild Vitiligo and am interested in other peoples experiences, symptoms and treatments. I am 29 years old and otherwise fit and healthy. A few years ago I started to notice very small areas of pigment loss on my hands. This seemed to be areas that had previously had small cuts and scrapes so I assumed it was that pigment did not reform in my scar tissue or similar. The patches on my hands have slowly grown and although still small, are now clearly beyond those areas that have been subject to cuts and scrapes. The patches are very symmetrical between both hands. I also have a small patch on my forehead and patches on my groin area, which I understand is common with vitiligo.

I have been to my GP who did not seem particularly interested in the cosmetic appearance or impact. I questioned whether it was appropriate to check for thyroid and / or immune system issues (my mother has an underactive thyroid gland and has taken thyroxin for many years). A blood test was completed and the results were negative for thyroid or immune system issues.

From the reading I have done I understand that vitiligo is when the immune system kills or breaks down the pigment or the ability or make pigment in your skin.

I tan easily and so the patches on my hands are more prominent in summer months, with more contrast between the patches and the rest of my hands and arms which are fairly tanned. The patches do not bother me too much but I am concerned about them spreading and the condition developing in other areas of my body.

I understand the condition cannot be cured and most treatments are aimed at reducing the cosmetic appearance of the patches. I have read a fair amount online and it seems even the positive effect of steroid creams is eventually reversed. I have also seen that cover up creams are available, which seems to be "make up" in effect

I am wondering whether it is worth seeing a consultant dermatologist or if I should just accept it and get on with things. As I mentioned, my GP was not particularly helpful. I think it would be good to at least monitor the condition over time to assess whether it is spreading etc. I have read that some take photographs to document this. I have started doing more to protect my skin from the sun, mainly by wearing SPF50 sun cream etc, or staying in the shade

Any experiences or thoughts from those who have suffered with this themselves or know people that have are welcomed. Have you had treatment and was it effective, or have you just got used to the condition. Thanks

[jb2410]

I have halo nevi (sp) which is basically vitiligo localised to the skin surrounding moles. It has never bothered me much although touch wood I'm not particularly badly afflicted and the most prominent is a small patch on my neck.

Was referred to dermatology when younger but once diagnosed that was it really, no treatment either medical or cosmetic. Not particularly tanned so for the small amount that's visible it isn't a big deal to me. I did try a few things when first diagnosed but as you say I didn't find anything that was effective so learned to live with it.

I have no idea if it is related or not, but I do also have a very small amount of skin psoriasis and suffer from the related psoriatic arthritis, both are autoimmune so there may well be something in that, however neither my GP nor rheumatology consultant have ever indicated a connection so possibly not. I've also been on immunosuppressant drugs for three years for the arthritis but from what I can tell there has been no change in the vitiligo.

[Steve Evil]

My Wife has had it since she was around 10 years old and it really affects her confidence, especially in the summer months as you've noticed, as it becomes much more prominent. It's most obvious around her hands. She's had treatments for it in the past, including an ultraviolet treatment each day where she'd use a cream and then sit in something similar to a sunbed. She's previously been referred to see a specialist in Germany about it, as there don't seem to be any specialists in the UK. It's been a few years since she's pursued any kind of treatment though, I've been with her 10 years and she's not had anything done in that time.