What is Vitiligo
Vitiligo or leukoderma is a skin disease that causes loss of pigment, resulting in irregular white patches of skin. The precise etiology of the disease is complex and not fully und...
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Did anyone else watch the spot on 20/20 about vitiligo? I am so upset by it. Seeing an adult talk about how hard it is to live with, and how people see him as a monster, and babies cry when they see him, was horrifing to me. My daughter is so young (7). And her vitiligo is on her face. Not an easy thing to ignore or cover up. When I look at her I don't see it, I just see her. And when she looks at herself it doesn't bother her either. But I suspect that other children at school see it and treat her differently. I have asked her if anyone ever mentions it and she says no. Yet she also cries that she has no friends at school. I have asked the teachers if they notice anything and they say no. Yet she is clearly upset about going to school. For awhile we got her involved in the childrens classes at church. For the first few weeks she seemed to like it. Then suddenly she didn't want to go anymore. I asked her why and she just says no one likes me. She is really a sweet kid and has always gone out of her way to please others. One night she was laying awake in bed and I asked her why. She said she was trying to figure out ways to get the other kids to like her. I told her she just has to be herself. I told her "not to just do things that other kids want you to do just because you want them to like you. You know right from wrong, so always do what you know is right. Don't just do things to run with the crowd." I never really made her vitiligo an issue. But now after seeing this show I am fearful that she will live a life feeling like an outcast. I hope that I can help her to be a strong person. I don't know what else to say...
Posted on 01/04/08, 11:01 pm |
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Hi Jackie, I didn't see the show but I think I have seen a clip of it. I have vitaligo on my face, hands, feet and various other small spots. The vitaligo on my face almost covers my whole face although luckily I'm fair skined so I don't really notice it apart from on my hands where my normal skin is a bit darker. I started getting it around 8yrs old I think, but I don't really think it has effected my self esteem or made me feel like an outcast. everyone I know says they don't even notice it now and my mother even says she likes it because it gives me character :p I remember at school some girls thinking I wore white eyeshadow and that made me feel a bit silly but overall it doesn't bother me much expect the fact that there must be something wrong to be causing it in the first place. I would just recommend she wear sunscreen whenever outdoors so the patches don't stand out as much againist the normal skin. 
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i have vitiligo on my face as well people ask me how do i get my make up on so straight i say i wear no make up at all but i guess it looks good and even so that is good
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Hi Jackie,
My son is almost 7, & has vitaligo, I can't remember when this started happening to him, but it came very quickly, & is spreading, I have been to 2 doctor's with him, & they told me to apply steriod creams to the areas(which are very widespread!!!)They don't seem to be working, & I too am worried about how this will effect him also when they he starts school!!!! I definitly understand, what you both are going through, is there any treatments that you know of??? I have not yet encountered anyone treating him differently, but i'm hoping deep down inside, that he doesn't have to go through alot of pain, or that it effects him as he grows older! We do the best we can as parents, by being there, & loving our children!!! Take care, Avery01 Take care, Avery01
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Thank you Sublime for your perspective as an adult with vitiligo. I have a 5 year old with vitiligo on her face that seems to be spreading. She seems very happy now. I do wonder what will happen as she gets older and your post made me feel more at ease. Sounds like your self esteem was not effected. I hope that will be the case for my daughter too.
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Hi Jackie, I did see the show. It was right after my 5- year old daughter was diagnosed with vitiligo that is spreading on her face. I too was upset by the show because it addressed my only fear which was that her self esteem would be negatively effected. She is such a fun and happy girl now. Like you, I am just afraid that the children will treat her differently as she gets older. I really appreciated Sublime's reply because it made me hopeful that this will not happen. I think you are right not to make vitiligo an issue. I'm trying to boost my child's self esteem by involving her in things that she is good at or that she enjoys (ie, skiing, gymnastics, etc.) I'm hoping that if she experiences successes in these areas, it will make her feel good about herself from the inside. Keeping my fingers crossed....
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