Vitiligo?

[curlus]

Hello Everyone

Don't know if this strikes a chord with anyone but I think I have developed something called Vitiligo. I have always been a fair skinned 'freckly' person but over the past few months I have noticed my freckles are disappearing in certain places leaving white patches. These do not itch or hurt and the texture of the skin is no different but it does look very strange. I am very photosensitive due to my Lupus and wonder if these patches are part of that. I have not been to my Dr about this as although my arms and legs are beginning to look rather strange I don't want to bother him with something possibly very trivial.

Any opinions or if anyone else has had similar problems I'd love to hear from.
Love Shirley (Curlus)

[Sannie]

Hi Shirley

This is in no way trivial.

You must seek further medical help from your rheumatologist ASAP.

He/she will be able to arrange for further investigations to be done to clarify if this is a lupus related problem or not.

Please let us know what happens.

Love
Sannie

[Wolfie]

Hi Shirley,

Have you actually been diagnosed with vitiligo? If not, you should see a doctor, as Sannie suggests, and find out what's going on.

If it is vitiligo, this is thought to be an autoimmune skin condition. It is commonly associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's) and other autoimmune diseases.

Wolfie

[Tina57]

Hi there,

As others mentioned, Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition where the immune system destroys the melanin producing cells that give us color, this gives white patches on the skin. It can be dramatic appearing especially if you originally had dark skin, then you turn white.

Well it's not uncommon to have multiple autoimmune conditions with Lupus. If there's one thing I've heard over and over, it's that these autoimmmune diseases love to travel in groups. Each person can produce all kinds of Antibodies that could do strange things.

Take Care,
Tina :flowers:

[RosemaryP]

If I remember correctly Michael Jackson has this complaint too. You certainly need further treatment.

[gladm]

Yes, I would think that you should get this checked out right away. Good luck and take care. love gladm. :luck: :flowers:

[curlus]

Thank you all for your advice, I will make an appointment with my GP and let you know how I get on.

Love Shirley x