New here, same old questions I'm sure

Hello everyone. I have developed vit within the last few years and it has been quite devastating. The questions, the stares, the chuckles, the attitudes I get when people notice my hand and elbow are really really starting to bother me. Anyway, I have small spots on my right hand and a small spot on my right elbow and knee. I am a fairly darked skinned person ( I am white but dark) and the contrast is noticeable in the winter when I have lost my summer tan. I can't take much more of the aggravation this disorder is causing me in life. I pay for items with my left hand, walk around with my right hand in my pocket all of the time and try to avoid conversations with anyone. I am married and happy but have never discussed the situation with my wife as she never said a word about it. I'm afraid to bring it up, afraid to discuss it and don't know what to do.

So...... my question is- Does anything actually work to help besides a self tanner/etc?
I don't want to go to a doctor to tell me he cant help-
I am aware smoking can help aggravate the vitiligo. I smoke and it's impossible to quit when dealing with this situation. So I can't quit smoking.

I don't know what to do. I don't want to live with it anymore and am turning to Vit Friends for some help.

Hi Jay,

If you're open to makeup, you might want to try that route. Lee Thomas wears makeup every night to do the news.

You could also discuss re-pigmentation options with your doctor. It's successful for some and not for others. But every situation is different so don't count this option out!

Another thing to consider is seeing a therapist. Avoiding the problem doesn't make it go away, trust me - I tried that already! While it's hard to address it at first, once you do, you'll be so glad you did! More often than not the way we see ourselves isn't how people see us. Your wife may have no idea how much it's affecting you. I know that my family and friends had no idea how much it's affected me and I've dealt with Vitiligo for practically my entire life!

There aren't a lot of options when it comes to Vitiligo but we do have some!

Replies

Nadika June 3, 2010 at 5:48pm

Jay !!!

I have Vitiligo on fingers in both hands. I can understand how you feel. If your spots in fingers are REALLY SMALL - then there is a good chance a steroid cream will work for you. It worked for the small spots in my fingers and now, almost a year later, the vit there has not come back. Alternating between Protopic and Steroid cream works for some too.

If you can - watch your diet. Some say eating according to your blood type helps too. Link - http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=diet&dbid=2

Good luck !!!
Sand June 3, 2010 at 2:41pm

Hi Jay,

If you're open to makeup, you might want to try that route. Lee Thomas wears makeup every night to do the news.

You could also discuss re-pigmentation options with your doctor. It's successful for some and not for others. But every situation is different so don't count this option out!

Another thing to consider is seeing a therapist. Avoiding the problem doesn't make it go away, trust me - I tried that already! While it's hard to address it at first, once you do, you'll be so glad you did! More often than not the way we see ourselves isn't how people see us. Your wife may have no idea how much it's affecting you. I know that my family and friends had no idea how much it's affected me and I've dealt with Vitiligo for practically my entire life!

There aren't a lot of options when it comes to Vitiligo but we do have some!

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