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How do you deal with Vitiligo?

Posted by Sarah Bradford on February 4, 2010 at 7:34pm

Since this summer, i've noticed that my vitiligo has gotten worse and worse. My arms have blotchy white patches all over them and my legs are starting to develop spots also. Worst of all, I've noticed two spots on my face.. Thankfully its winter and I'm able to wear long sleeves to cover my arms, but i'm really self conscious about them, and I dont know what i'm gonna do when it starts getting warmer and I cant wear long sleeves anymore.. Also, I have a boyfriend, but he has never seen my arms and he doesn't know about my vitiligo. I feel like i should tell him and explain it to him before i start wearing short sleeves, but i dont know how to approach it.

 

So I was wondering, how do you guys deal with vit? Do you try to hide it? Do you accept it and not let it bother you? Its starting to make me feel very depressed and I dont know what to do.. Any support, suggestions, stories, etc would be greatly appreciated.

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Replies

  • Nat Denny February 27, 2010 at 11:23pm
    Hi Sarah, My Vitiligo started as small patches on my hands when I was 19. I'm now 34 and stopped trying to hide it many years ago. I remember feeling just like you in my early 20s and I now describe that time as my 'mourning' period. A time when I was trying to come to terms with what was happening to me and trying to figure out why. Having always been quite outgoing I started noticing myself retreating from the world and this scared me enough to decide to change my attitude. I can't change it so refuse to let it change me.

    I still have times when I'm upset about it. I just wish it would hurry up and take over my entire body as it is the patches that are the most noticeable.

    It does not define me. It doesn't rule my life. It doesn't change who I am. I'm a wonderful person. I'm caring and loving and fun and funny and so full of life my friends and family all love being in my life. I deserve this life I've made. I deserve the love I have. I've earned it all and it has absolutely nothing to do with is happening with my skin.

    My wonderful husband could have any woman he wants and he chose me - not despite my skin or because of it but because he had never met anyone who made him feel as good and loved as I do. He says my patches are just like big freckles and he just loves how my skin feels. We have a beautiful 2 year old daughter and another on the way. I do hope my kids don't inherit Vitiligo only because I know what a hard road it is to come to acceptance.

    I'm sorry you have to face this too - just remember it doesn't change who you are or the love of those around you.
    • Juan Carlos Parra > Nat Denny March 4, 2010 at 9:52pm
      I do the same I don't let it rule my life I have a wife 2 beautiful kids and I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that light is the depigmentation treatment to accelerate the process.
      There is always hope remember that! l
  • Poco February 9, 2010 at 5:46pm
    As mentioned before I gave up hiding it. I figure the more people see it it might not be so bad for the next person they see with vit. I wear shorts and short sleeves in the summer. I have nothing to hide except my chubby self.(that'll never happen : ) )
  • Miguel Meza February 7, 2010 at 7:42am
    thats so cute =) happy for u
    • Sarah Bradford > Miguel Meza February 8, 2010 at 7:09am
      thank you :)
      i'm still scared for him to actually see it though... i was gonna wear a short sleeve shirt yesterday when i saw him, but i was too scared, so i just wore long sleeves like always
      • josephine kabejja > Sarah Bradford February 8, 2010 at 8:11am
        I know how u feel. But u can't hide it for long so the earlier he sees it the better he gets used to it.And if he loves u he won't mind about the vitiligo. So be strong dear and just know that u are not alone.We always have our bad days when we have to deal with stares and good days so be happy.
  • Sarah Bradford February 7, 2010 at 6:37am
    i told my boyfriend about my vit, and he told me that i'm still beautiful... thats a huge weight off my shoulders.
  • Cara Twillie February 7, 2010 at 4:20am
    Me personally, I dont deal with Vitiligo. I live my life as if I dont have it. Check out my pictures.....I mean I am african-american and I am probably 85%-90% depigmented. The only places I have any pigment left is my arms legs and face. And that is rapidly changing. I imagine by summer I will be totally depigmented!!! Dating is probably the hardest part of having vitiligo but if your personality and confidence shines through, people will hit on you anyway!!!!!!! Chin up my friend! Tell your boyfriend.........if he doesnt accept you with Vitiligo...........why would you be too upset? Would you really want a person that narrow minded? It's not usually the Vitiligo that runs someone away, it is your attitude about it!

    Feel free to message me anytime!
  • Miguel Meza February 6, 2010 at 12:00pm
    hi sarah ....its me again ahha well i saw ur discusion n its sad that no one replyed 2 u =(..but i totayl get u n am gonna give u the guy version of ur problema!....ok so am currently not with sum 2 we broke up like 2 weeks ago =(...so in my first relationship iwas in for 3 years but i was 14 at the time .... i had vitiligo since 10 years old soo my parents didnt know about it until i was 16...soo i had so much trust for this gurl but i was supper self-con about it so i asked would things changed if i had the same thing as michael jackson n she replyed....u dont want t be tan???...why do u want 2 be all pale? =(((( it was sad hearing that from the person i though cared.... so i waited until i got trust back...n then i told her about it n thens she said that it doesnt matter... n the relationship lastes for a long time with her but then ended sooo dont worry but u gotta trust him like 100% cuz then if he goes n tells people then its gonna hurt u alot..=( guys trust me guys talk alot... i would tell u more in message later hha
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