Conditions
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a surprisingly common condition, affecting 1 in 100 children and adults, and causes pale, white patches to develop on the body where the skin has lost its pigmentation. This occurs when a particular area of skin has little or none of a type of pigment called melanin, which is the dye-like substance in the skin cells (melanocytes) that gives skin colour and protects it from the sun’s rays. As a result, sufferers have a greatly increased risk of skin cancer, and the patchy appearance of the skin can also be a great cause of distress. Vitiligo is incurable and can spread on a person’s body, but is not contagious. It affects people of both sexes equally, all races, and can begin at any age, though about fifty percent of people with the condition develop it before the age of twenty five. But you’re not alone. Ever wondered what those white patches in Graham Norton’s hair are? It’s vitiligo!
Watch the Live from the Clinic interactive case video on vitiligo >
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Comments and Questions
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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
I have had vitiligo since i was age of 30 til now im the age of 43 scaterd over my body but i can't find any sulotion that can i back my old color of my skin it's so embassing for me every time if go out with friends coz my hands loads of white.
I have had vitiligo for 3years now 80% of my face lost pigmentation I have been doin herbal treatment for a year and half now 50% ofmy pigment has come back I take iron and B12 herbal tabs along with UVB light 10mins every night.
I suffer from vitiligo it affects my scalp under my eyes and most moles on my body. i've been looking into treatments. I'm keen to try taking vitamin supplements such as vitamin B12 and folic acid and exposing the skin to sunlight. Is it safe? I don't want to go to the doctors as last time they refered me to dermatology at the hospital who prescribed a steroid cream, which did nothing.
I have been having B12 and iron the herbal tabs nd exposing to UVB light 10mins every night and my vitiligo has improved alot I was recommended to do so by an Indian doctor I have been doing so over a year now 50% of my skin has got better
I have had vitligo since i was 16. it has affected the whole of my body -I do not tan but just burn. Keeping out of the sun is a nightmare and sun block is not effective. I have to totally cover up including wearing hat and sunglasses and then sit in the shade. I asked my GP about whether my vit D levels would be affected -she said no but it turns out she was wrong -my vit D was negligible and I suffered for several year with CFS/ME which I think now was really very low vit D (hypothyroidism). I take vit D3 supplements now and keep my blood range high and feel so much better. my hair is mainly white. Seeing as I have lost so much pigment i would like to know if it is likely to affect the pigment in my eyes? its probably only pigment I have left. If this happens will my sight be affected? What are the chances of this happening to me?
ive noticed a change in colour through some areas of my body im mixed race which is kind of hard to tell but inbetween my knuckles i see to have a white patch near my knuckle on my legs theirs like a unshaped white patch near my kneecap on my face ive noticed a light pimentatin where my eyebrows are and where my cheeks are there seems to be patches there theres a patch under my arm i know that they arnt scars because when i scar its dark and ive looked at previous pictures and my colour seems to lighten in certain areas
I have vitiligo and all start when I turn 32 start under my harm ,and then take over all my her on the head i look like i am 50 an is not very nice when i am 35 . Any think i can do? Also my low part is each all the time and is very unconformable
I think i might have vitiligo,I noticed this after I get a tan,I used to use sunbeds and noticed it through using them,I have white patches on my penis arms and legs,is there anything that I can get to make them go away?im too embarrassed to talk to my GP about it thank you.
I have had vitiligo since I have been 10 years old and have become increasingly embarrassed, especially when I have a strong tan. I have tried the shampoo for skin, which made no effect but have recently been prescribed daktarcort, which is clearing up the patches nicely. Therefore I would have to disagree with the information provided by channel 4 and tell people with it it is curable and that a good doctor will try everything to help you get rid of. Mine is excellent and this year is looking like the first year in 7 that I won't have a patchy stomach, back or legs.
did daktarcort continue to work for you? can you give more details i.e. more details of the cream or ointment and how long you used it for?
I've had vitiligo since I was 8 and I'm now 30! Mine has gone away and come back and spread ect... BUT there is away to cover it up and it works so well cause I've used it since I was 9! It's called Dermablend! It's not that expensive and you can order it online or if you have an ulta near you they carry it! It matches your skin tone so you can tan in the summer or have the lightest skin, they have what matches!! I hope this helps:)
I've only got vitiligo on my torso and back, but they are perfectly circular! I'd say I have about 15 circles. I have tanned skin so they stand out when I have my top off but it doesn't bother me. I've had them since I was 4 an now I'm 18 but they haven't spread or changed. I've had no treatment or cream but they look like there getting smaller :)
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