<p>anyone else have experience with vitiligo?</p>
<p>I used to date a guy in college who had this. He’s he only person I know with it. He’s white and it was just on his back, but he was a lifeguard who got ridiculously tan in the summer, so his back was a mess of white spots. He just matter-of-factly explained it to anyone who asked and that pretty much ended the conversation. </p>
<p>As for his future, after me he dated a sorority sister of mine, went to med school, married the other girl, became a surgeon, made lots of money and had 4 kids. His wife cares a lot more about the fact that she’s a rich doctor’s wife and doesn’t have to work than the fact that her hubby has white spots. His patients don’t care either.</p>
<p>Wear long sleeves, long pants and shoes, not sandals. There are excellent cover up makeups for your face if you don’t want to constantly explain it, or just go bare faced with a wide grin and a happy personality. Smiling happy people get lots of friends no matter what. Also, get involved in some meaningful volunteer work, preferably with some group much worse off than you who really need help. The work will get your mind off this, and it will make you feel very very good about yourself. There are so many groups from school kids who need tutoring (you’d be surprised how many public school kids can’t read or do math), refugees (call Catholic Charities), handicapped, shelters, homeless, just tons. It is like a natural law or something that helping others with their problems make yours go away. Natural magic. If you have a talent or just some free time, use it this way, and I assure you, you will feel much better about things over time.</p>
<p>My S has a friend with Alopecia (hair loss). He started losing hair in 2nd grade and was soon completely bald. Elem. and middle school were tough years for a bald kid. He has a really odd shaped head too which didn’t help. He def. didn’t look like the cool pro athletes who shave their heads.</p>
<p>Over the years his hair would grow back and then fall out again. He’s taken all kinds of medicines and used hairsprays and make-up.</p>
<p>He’s now a rising h.s. senior. He has hair on about half of his head very patchy BUT he is #1 in the senior class, plays on the golf team, and has a girlfriend (who’s really cute, btw). He has always carried himself with great self confidence even when it’s been very hard to not be embarrased. </p>
<p>All the kids have gotten used to him and nobody asks weird questions (like, do you have cancer?) anymore. I’m sure it bugs him and he wishes he had normal hair but to eveybody else, it’s not a big deal. People just like him for who he is.<br>
You will certainly have some explaining to do because people are just naturally curious. Just be as matter of fact as you can and then move on with everyday life. Try your hardest to focus on your strengths/the positives. It has really worked for my S’s friend.</p>
<p>Hi there, I was just curious about vitiligo so I’d thought I’d look it up.</p>
<p>One of my very close friends at my high school has vitiligo and she’s is the coolest, most confident girl you will probably ever meet. Personally, I’m truthfully really jealous of her vitiligo. It’s weird, I know, but it just makes her so unique, you know what I mean? And she actually looks so awesome with white spots on her dark skin. I call her a leopard sometimes and she loves it, haha. So honestly don’t even worry about it! People will ask questions but just be like, I’m a leopard. Rawr. </p>
<p>Seriously though I’m jealous! hehe have fun dear.</p>
<p>My D had a skin condition on her back that looked like what you are talking about but it was a temporary thing. I forget what it was called but there was definitely depigmentation. She went to the dermatologist and he put her on a medication and she had to go to a steam room with high temperatures if i remember correctly. Weird. I forget the details but it did go away. Wait until you have a firm diagnosis before you panic. Even if you have it, everything will be okay. None of us know what we are capable of dealingl with until we have to.</p>
<p>My beautiful daughter has it, has had it since she was a toddler. Its all over her body. BUT she has grown up it, nonchalently explains it as the opposite of freckling and rolls with it. We researched body makeup for when she got older and we thought she might want to cover the white spots up. She never did. Everyone is used to it, but ever once in a while someone new will ask her about it. She’s fair skinned but tans wonderfully and then its super noticeable. It hasnt affected her attitude, her life or her social interactions. </p>
<p>btw she’s had some repigmentation over the years. </p>
<p>I can see where vitiligo as a teenager would be hard to adjust to.</p>
<p>This post is 4yo, FYI.</p>
<p>Thanks didnt notice that 
wonder how the poster is managing/feeling now 4 years later?</p>