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Conditions

Vitiligo

Vitiligo on a hand

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!

If you’re suffering from any of the conditions featured on this site and want to apply for an onscreen consultation with one of the EB team then you can find more details here >>

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What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments

Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

im 19 years old and iv had vitilligo siince i was 2 at first it wasnt all that noticable asit was just a tiny patch on my back. it has now spread along my shoulders and forearms im not all that bothered about it really as i know its not harmfullbut the looks i get sometimes make me feel like afreak.

Im 20 and i've had vitiligo since i was 13 or so. I hate mine as it's mainly on my face and my hadns in the most noticeable places possible!
Can anyone reccomend any kind of treatment? As when i went to the dermatologist he said there was nothing they could do and no cure. I've now been referred to Kings Hospital in London for it and i would appreciate some advice on anything that i could ask about treatment wise? Thanks in advance! x

Hi,

Please check out 'VitiligoSupport.org' , you are not alone…

Hi i'm 19 and have vitilligo on my penis and hips, when it first appeared i was worried but to be honest now it gives me somthing to talk about before sex. Luckily it's only on the bottom half of my body and i feel for those who have it on more noticable areas. One thing i would say is it can be linked with thyroid problems so if that is in your family like it is mine i'd get tested for it. :-)

I'm 41 and I have had vitiligo since I was about 16. I have it on all my fingers and around my eyes. I did have it around my mouth but it has gone, it seems to move around! I also have patches of white pubic hair which, when I was younger I was really embarrassed about. I never wanted anyone to see it.

I assume it is hereditary as my Grandad, my Mum and my sister have it. My Mum became near enough totally white with just a few brown patches, so I reckon I will eventually go the same way.

When people look at me, anyone, friends or someone in the street I feel that they are looking at my patches not me.

I wish there was a cure.

Hi, I have vitiligo and have started taking melonatan II. the patches of white have reduced in some areas by about 50% however the rest of my skin has become darker so where they remain they are more prominent. I prefer it though as i used to have small patches of white over my eyes however they are all but gone now. Not sure if it would work the same for everybody though as I didn't suffer that badly to start.

I had a small white patches in my arms and had spread to the neck and chest area. I still dont know what is it, I was told is a sun damage but I dont think so. My arms can get very itchy after a shower. I have treated this with canesten, and doesnt seem to go. What could it be? I need the advice of these brilliant doctors.

Hello,
Im 20 and have had vitiligo for first time on the right corner of my mouth when I was 16. Im white so it wasnt noticeable, till it spread a bit more and appeared on the left corner too. I never used makeup to cever it because I wanted a permanent solution. Everyone said that there's nothing you can do about it. However I went to a very god doctor who gave me 2 cortizone based creams and after two months it dissappeared. However you have apply them every day and dont forget about it,you should be responsible. The only dissadvantage is the dark brown hair grow on the treated area and that because of the cortizone which the creams consist of mainly.If anyone would like to know the name of the creams(they are given under medical prescription )

I started getting vitiligo on my scrotum and the underside of my penis around a year & 1/2 ago. It just appeared all of a sudden and it got me down. Since then it's stayed just as it was the first day I saw it, not spreading at all. I also noticed a tiny dot on my stomach which is nothing and recently a small, almost perfect circle on the underside of my wrist. I found out about a cream that people use called Drula. I need to find out if anyone has used this before and whether it works at all at being able to tone the white areas? I hate having this as it's just another thing getting to me. I've also had acne since I was 15. I'm 25 now and I still can't get rid of a few spots appearing every other day on my chin. Everywhere else has cleared up great though. Put this together with diabetes, having to wear glasses and being slim and you get the idea of how depressing it can get. Any ideas of any other creams?

i am 15 and i have a big white patch on my forehead. i have got freckels but in that area i have none and also at the front of my head my hair has started going grey and i am so young its so embarrassing i hate it.i dont know for sure if its vitiligo what do i do to find out?




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