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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To panic about my skin?

28 replies

Nicebucket · 16/11/2015 22:13

I feel like my eyelids are losing pigmentation- they're going White and the White area is very gradually becoming bigger. I've got some random white eyebrow hair as well.

My aunt had vitiligo, so I've kind of jumped the gun and assumed that I have it too given that it can be hereditary.

And it's terrifying me.

I can't sleep or eat. especially because I've been told this has no cure.

Shout out to any doctors or dermatologists or generally knowledgeable people, please tell me what else this could be! Everything online seems to indicate that loss of pigmentation is always vitiligo. I have a severe vitamin D deficiency. Could that be the cause?

Is there anything else that can cause whitening of the skin? Could it be my makeup? I wear eyeshadow everyday.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nicebucket · 16/11/2015 22:20

And people around me aren't helping, they've already started to sympathise and say you poor thing....

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheep · 16/11/2015 22:22

go to your GP

RachelZoe · 16/11/2015 22:23

You need to stay off google and go to a doctor. Nobody here can give you any real reassurance without seeing your skin up close. Make a GP appointment and go from there. I'm sorry you're feeling so anxious about this Flowers

Original poster
Nicebucket · 16/11/2015 22:29

I was afraid of the "go to your GP" responses. I don't have an appointment for the next two weeks, so I'm just looking for more info in the meantime.

OP posts:
Diggum · 16/11/2015 22:33

Have a look at tinea versicolor (aka pityriasis versicolor). It's caused by a treatable fungal infection and is my main differential for vitiligo-type patches.

You need to be examined by GP but this might help as a possibility to hold on to in the interim!

Original poster
Nicebucket · 16/11/2015 22:35

That's what I've been holding on to! I'm hoping that's what this is. However, when I read about the subtle differences between vitiligo and the fungal infection, What I have sounded a lot more like vitiligo.

OP posts:
hollinhurst84 · 16/11/2015 22:37

I think I have the start of vitiligo. If it helps, mine seems to be on my hand, and it hasn't changed in a year

Original poster
Nicebucket · 16/11/2015 22:42

Holly hurst- did a doctor confirm that's what it was? I've had these eye things for a year or more too, I've just been dismissing them. But they seem a lot whiter now.

OP posts:
Archiesnan · 16/11/2015 22:59

Nicebucket why is the thought of vitality so terrifying?

Archiesnan · 16/11/2015 23:01

Vitiligo stupid auto correct Blush

Wagglebees · 16/11/2015 23:15

If it is vitiligo and you want to disguise it, there is really good make up available for skin conditions, scarring and pigmentation issues. Not rubbish orange stuff like it used to be but decent foundations and concealers in different skin tones. Have you see a GP? They can refer you to a derm so you'll have a proper diagnosis. Worrying yourself sick over what ifs and maybes is no good. Stop googling and make an appointment. Once you have a name for it it'll seem a lot less terrifying. Flowers

Wagglebees · 16/11/2015 23:16

Seen you have a GP appointment, that's good. Meantime all you need to do is stop Googling! Worrying won't help.

Wagglebees · 16/11/2015 23:19

Eyeshadow will not cause whitening btw. It's just coloured talc and things that have been vigorously tested as it's going close to your eye.

landrover · 16/11/2015 23:26

Even if it is Vitiligo, honestly it is not the end of the world, please don't worry! x

GreenFinnedDemon · 16/11/2015 23:27

Ive got vitiligo,so has my Dad and my paternal grandmother had it.
Ive got it around my eyelids too,and hands feets legs and arms. Im quite pale skinned which is good as its not too noticable unless I get atan so I avoid the sun.
It's not too bad OP,its never really bothered me too much.
Id go to your GP just to be sure. There are great camouflage creams available.
The Red Cross do a skin matching service for a small donation and you can get camo cream made up to your skin tone on prescription.
www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/Health-and-social-care/Independent-living/Skin-camouflage
Don't panic its not that bad.

hollinhurst84 · 17/11/2015 02:20

Yes, seen by doctor. Under investigation for other autoimmune issues but no history of it anywhere in my family. It's on the back of my fingers up to the knuckles, all my freckles have gone. But that's it, it hasn't spread anywhere else

hollinhurst84 · 17/11/2015 02:25

Absolute rubbish pic but you can see the line above my knuckles which is sort of where it starts. Just looked at the date on another pic and that was over a year ago and no change

To panic about my skin?
Atenco · 17/11/2015 03:38

Supposedly Cuba has a cure for vitiligio, but I think you have to there to get the treatment

BeyondThirty · 17/11/2015 07:56

The only thing they siad to be worried about when my ds's was diagnosed was if it starts to spread, not if it becomes more obvious

(Old picture so i can keep an eye on the size, this was just after big bro helpfully cut his hair...)

I have it too, mine becomes more and less obvious depending on the tan around it. It can be related to autoimmune diseases, appears to have a genetic link, but can be caused by skin damage and arrive after psoriasis (which i also have, but hadnt had a patch of where my vitiligo appeared)

To panic about my skin?
Original poster
Nicebucket · 03/12/2015 16:51

Hi all

Went to a skin specialist and was told its "pre vitiligo" Sad. I've been given some creams to put on affected areas and also some medicine to take orally.

Not sure exactly what that means, but apparently it's in the very early stages. We know there's no cure for vitiligo, but family have been telling me that because it's in early stages, it can be stopped where it is. My aunt had it and hers went away completely...

I'm not sure what to believe at this point because everything I've read seems to indicate that it's NOT curable.

Also, my GP isn't convinced that it's vitligo- it isn't symmetric on both eyes like vitiligo normally would be and he isn't satisfied that other possibilities have been ruled out (such as allergies, vitamin deficiencies, reactions to products etc.)

I'm quite depressed and I will be seeking a second opinion.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nicebucket · 03/12/2015 17:01

I feel bad moaning about a vanity thing when there are so many more serious problems in the world!

But if anyone's been through something similar, I would really appreciate some emotional support.

I've always had confidence issues- had some weight issues, bad acne etc. just as that's behind me, I've got something else now. I'm a bit discouraged and low.

OP posts:
BeyondThirty · 03/12/2015 17:04

I know how you feel about the vanity thing. My health went to shit after pregnancy and my psoriasis flared. It got so bad i lost a lot of hair. The hair bthered me so much more than everything else xx

gleam · 03/12/2015 17:06

Nicebucket Flowers

Could you see a dietician - through your GP, maybe? - just to make sure you're eating well enough. (As you mention a Vit D deficiency.)

Original poster
Nicebucket · 03/12/2015 17:12

Well, there's good news about the vitamin D- it's still on the lower side, but it's getting better.

And I've already been given some supplements and diet advice, which I've been following diligently.

There's a lovely bloke I like too and he likes me. I'm very nervous about how he'd react when he finds out.

OP posts:
VulcanWoman · 03/12/2015 17:32

Those people patronising you, tell them to cork it!
Yvette Fielding from the Celebrity get me out of her program had/has it.
Your new Man, if he has anything about him won't be bothered by it and if he is, well that's his loss, not yours. Best wishes.