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Original poster

Vitiligo? Or just normal scab behaviour. Terrified.

32 replies

Namechangenurseryconcerns · 27/08/2016 18:08

DH has vitiligo. It really affects him and limits everyday life, especially in summer.
Currently on holiday (without him) and despite me slathering factor 50 on the kids they have developed slight tans and ds (4) has a patch of white skin on his elbow where a recent(ish) scab fell off.
It seems bigger than the scab. I am terrified that he is developing vitiligo.
DH does not discuss his condition with anyone. He hasn't had any treatment and I don't want to upset him by discussing this with him when we get home.
Am I overreacting. Please tell me scabs always leave white patches.

OP posts:
Tumtitum · 27/08/2016 18:10

If my scabs fall off before they are really meant to then yes, they leave a white scar which sometimes fades, sometimes doesn't!

PerspicaciaTick · 27/08/2016 18:10

New scars don't tan and can look very white beside the surrounding tanned skin.

ggirl · 27/08/2016 18:15

My dh has vitiligo as well , covers most of his face back trunk ,
My son and daughter occasionally get white skin under scabs and I get paranoid as well. But both have no signs of vitiligo at present.
Dd is 24 and ds is 13.

But my dh didn't get any vitiligo until he was late 30's

Sorry not much help but I know the feeling.

Original poster
Namechangenurseryconcerns · 27/08/2016 18:20

Thank you. I feel sick. DH's started in early 20s and spread pretty rapidly.
I suppose at least if the children developed it young I could push for the treatment before it became too widespread. I don't even know what treatment is available in this country.

OP posts:
lljkk · 27/08/2016 18:21

How does the vitiligo cause your DH so many problems?
The people I've known with vitiligo just got on with their lives. It was more of a party trick than a problem, iirc.

rollonthesummer · 27/08/2016 18:23

How is vitiligo a party trick Shock

Original poster
Namechangenurseryconcerns · 27/08/2016 18:24

Because it's all over his face and arms. He has no protection from the sun and even a few minutes without factor 50 turns him pink and increases risk of skin cancer.
That's without the embarrassment factor which I don't think bothers him too much but it's difficult to know as he hates talking about it.

OP posts:
lljkk · 27/08/2016 18:24

Bearer Pulls the shirt up & shows off the patches. Comments on where they were last week and might go next week. More amusing after a beer, I guess.

Original poster
Namechangenurseryconcerns · 27/08/2016 18:25

Well it's rather more tricky to put a shirt over your face

OP posts:
ggirl · 27/08/2016 18:27

I'm not up on the current treatments either as nothing was offered to dh when he started and tbh now its so widespread its pointless but ..yes i would if my child showed signs.

It affects dh's self esteem . he's embarrassed by it as it's very obvious on his face , the dark and light margins i mean

Family and friends don't even notice but strangers stare.

lljkk · 27/08/2016 18:28

ps: my dad is a redhead living in a very sunny place; he used to play a beach sport all day long.

He puts on factor 50 all over, wears long sleeves, makes a point of wearing hats & sitting in the shade. Had many burns as a child/youth but he knows how to manage since adulthood.

rollonthesummer · 27/08/2016 18:28

My housemate at university had it all over her face, legs, arms and body. It caused her years and years of distress, upset and paranoia.

She was horribly bullied at school because of it and people would stop and stare at her face as she wakes past. As a teenager she spent a fortune on special thick gloopy cosmetics to try to even out the black/white patches all over her face and arms.

I can't imagine she would have called it a party trick.

lljkk · 27/08/2016 18:28

On the face could someone wear foundation/make up to make it less striking?

ggirl · 27/08/2016 18:29

liljk -yeh , not the same if it's only on torso tbh

SallyontheUB40 · 27/08/2016 18:29

Totally normal. DD had a huge scab come off her arm in the sea. Big pale white patch underneath it still. That was a month ago

Original poster
Namechangenurseryconcerns · 27/08/2016 18:30

DH is pretty pale anyway. Tbh it's hard to tell where the patches are both because it's so widespread and he keeps himself so covered up. But it's so awkward-always having to seek out shade, not enjoying the beach or pool (hence holiday without him-he doesn't mind).

OP posts:
alloutofnameideas · 27/08/2016 18:32

Shoot me if I sound daft but do you mean like this??

LimeFizz · 27/08/2016 18:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Namechangenurseryconcerns · 27/08/2016 18:32

Ok thank you sally-you've calmed me down somewhat. It's out of my control anyway I guess

OP posts:
rollonthesummer · 27/08/2016 18:32

Excuse the pinch from google images-but this is very much like my friend's vitiligo. It had a massive affect on her self confidence. Would you honestly find that amusing after a beer if it was your face?

Vitiligo? Or just normal scab behaviour. Terrified.
chattygranny · 27/08/2016 18:40

liljk Just to clarify - does your OH have vitiligo? If so you should definitely see a top dermatologist specialising in vitiligo as they were appealing for any red heads with vitiligo to come forward. There's evidence that there have been very few if any cases of vitiligo in red heads. Despite the worry about burning there have also been VERY few reported cases of people with vitiligo getting skin cancer so clearly there is interest in both aspects.
My DD was diagnosed at 13, there's a family history of thyroid problems and a strong connection there. It definitely affected her self esteem as a teenager. There are treatments like nUVB and various lotions which work but they're enormously time consuming. DD is now 33 and fairly relaxed being maybe 1/4-1/3 white patches, she's lucky to be slim and attractive but don't underestimate how tricky it can be. She is white, British, quite dark for a Brit, but it's much harder for those with darker skins.

alloutofnameideas · 27/08/2016 18:43

Should have said all those pale patches against his recently tanned arms are where he has had eczema during the summer term which has now healed but he isn't tanning there. He also has a darker patch on his back that has always been there but has got much darker from playing out without a top on this summer. Sometimes kids just have patches that react differently I think newly healed skin will react differently to sun to older skin

chattygranny · 27/08/2016 18:45

Also the patches are so pigmentless and so defined that only professional make up (you learn to apply at the Red Cross and get on prescription) really covers it but it takes a long time to apply and remove. Luckily DDs body is worse than face though she has white eyelids (both sides most but not all vitiligo is bilateral except injury sites). Luckily the white eyelids look very pretty!

Original poster
Namechangenurseryconcerns · 27/08/2016 18:46

I have heard the thing about not many cases of skin cancer but it seems so counter intuitive. I don't like to think of the effect of all the chemicals in sunscreen that DH is putting on daily.
That's another thread anyway. I'll definitely keep an eye on ds and hammer on the door of a dermatologist if it continues to look suspicious.

OP posts:
chattygranny · 27/08/2016 18:58

There was a massive study planned at universities of Bradford and Greiswald in Germany into ginger / vitiligo / skin cancer - can they help each other. I'm not sure it got funded. I have kept my eyes open and haven't seen a red head with vitiligo yet.... I'm behind the zeitgeist as my DD has learned to live with hers.