OT ~ Vitiligo

[lovemyguys]

I am concerned that my 5 year old may have vitiligo. We have an appointment with a dermatoligist in 2 weeks. Does anyone have any experience with this condition??? Signs, symptoms, etc...??? Everything I read on the internet is scaring the crap out of me! Any help/insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

[BeckityBobbidyBoo!]

I seem to remember that name from looking stuff up for my dd. Is that white skin patches? If so, my dd has a few of those and her ped assured me it was not vitiligo. I hope your dr. can assure you the same.

 

[lovemyguys]

Thanks for responding so quick! Yes, it is white patches on the skin. Some of his have a pink(ish) color to them, some of them are just a shade or two lighter then his own skin coloring (his skin is light brown) and some of them seem white(ish). One of the peds at his doctors office told DH it was not vitiligo but he did not do a full check of all the spots so I am not very confident with his answer (it was during a sick visit for an ear infection so I think that is why it was not a complete check of the spots). I am hoping and praying that it is something that has to do with dry skin and maybe a fungus from swimming lessons at the YMCA. I am really panicking about this!!! Again, I probably should not have looked it up online. Everytime I do I get so scared and sad for him if he does have it. If anyone has any real life experience with it please let me know.

 

[**eeyore**]

Here is some info regarding Tinea Versicolor:

http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult_derm/tinea.cfm

My husband has dealt with this since he was young, but didn't have it diagnosed until about 5 years ago. Physically it hasn't ever really bothered him, but unfortunately it was somewhat embarrassing for him growing up. It isn't something that he will ever get rid of completely, but there is a special bodywash he can use that pretty much eliminates it.

 

[lovemyguys]

Thanks for the reply! I looked into that but he has some on his face, one knee and the tops of both feet. It seems like vitiligo was the only thing that fit all the "examples" of where they are on his body and how they look. I can not wait for this appointment to hurry up and get here.

 

[lovemyguys]

Just bumping this to the first page to see if anyone else has any insight.

 

[azmomma]

My 4 year old nephew has it. He was diagnosed by his pediatrician since it was so obvious to him that's what it was. I believe he has a patch on his arm and a small spot on his face so far (and he is dark skinned). It hasn't gotten any worse though since they were told what he has (and it's been almost a year)... It's definitely scary when you look at the websites of some of the people that have it so try not to! We just try not to think about the "what ifs" and hope that he just has a "minor" case.

Good luck to you.