By Harry Jackson Jr.
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
12/10/2008
Nathalie Pelletier’s case of vitiligo, a skin condition that discolors the skin, was mild. Still, she started blogging about it. (https://vitiligocover.com)
That’s when she found other people that had cases much more severe.
“I started getting emails from people whose lives were (destroyed) by the condition,” she said, “people contemplating ending their lives.”
The condition can be emotionally crippling even though it’s not physically debilitating.
WHAT IT IS
Vitiligo causes pigment cells most commonly on hands and face, to stop working. Doctors don’t know the cause, but it doesn’t cause physical disability.
The remedies are skin treatments that get pigment cells to work or cosmetic cover ups.
HOW IT STARTED
“I can’t believe how many people feel alone,” Pelletier said. “I feel the need to reach out.”
Pelletier’s condition began about 10 years ago with discoloration below her fingernails. “I thought it was a fungus that I got from a manicure,” she said.
The condition spread slowly over her hands, face and knees. She’s fair-skinned so it was difficult to see — until summer. “I tan easily, and that’s when it stands out,” she said.
TREATMENT
Pelletier’s dermatologist, Dr. Daniel Ring of West County Dermatology, used an ultraviolet B laser to stimulate the growth of pigment cells — the same light used in tanning. “But it only exposes the affected skin,” he said.
The UV laser helped to return some of Pelletier’s skin tone.
Treatment can be costly because some medical insurance companies consider vitiligo a cosmetic problem, not a true illness.
EXCHANGES
As she communicated online with people, she found that people with darker skin had more emotional problems, because the stark contrasts between the very light skin and the dark skin caused people to stare. In some cases, they were rejected by friends.
“Sometimes I’ll tell someone to go out and do one thing a day to start living again,” she said.
She also learned information she shares with others.
A woman in Africa stopped eating meat and her condition went away; another increased her intake of vitamin B12, folic acid, which relieved her condition.
But the condition remains mysterious. “What works for me may or may not work for someone else,” she said.
harry.jackson@post-dispatch.com |
314-340-8234
Hello! I’ve had vitiligo for about 40 some years now. I have always been fair skinned, so the color contrast has not been too bad. I am finally at the point where I am one color…..white! I no longer have darker areas that need to be matched. (yeah!) However, I am wondering what fake tan product is best and compatable with sunblock. I end up feeling like I took a dip in a pool of glue. How would the Vitiligo Cover Lotion help me? Thanks for your time!
dude you’re hot
hi cami,
thanks for sharing your thoughts. no need to apologize for anything; you’re comment shares your experience with vitiligo, and that’s what this site is about.
all the best,
nathalie
Hi! I just wanted to say that I’ve had vitiligo for many years now, and, surprisingly, very recently realized I had never dome some research on it. Mine is very mild, it’s even cool cause my hair is very dark and I got a white lock where you can’t really see the white spot, so people tend to believe I just stained it that way. But now that I’ve seen some photos, I’m honestly shocked and so dearly grateful for the mildness of my condition. Now I see it can be a social issue, a possibility I had never considered, cause mine is in places you hardly see. Since mine does not seem to advance, I was led to believe a cure is not needed. But now I see things differently and, well, sorry to all who wasted their time reading this, cause it does not add to the discussion at hand, I just really felt I had to say that. bye!
Hi Nicole,
I have been using vitiligo cover lotion for 4 years and there have been not repercussions. It is perfectly safe to use and will not cause vitiligo to spread. It’s a wonderful product that I wholeheartedly stand by.
nathalie
Does the vitiligo cover lotion have any bad side effects and can it cause vitiligo to spread?
Im guessing it just covers the spots and doesnt help repigmentation?
Hi Mea,
The instructions for using Vitiligo Cover lotion will be included in your package. Also, if you may look at them here on the site:
I use the lotion each week and have not had any streaking ;)
all the best,
nathalie
Nathalie,
I looked at your add for vitiligo cover lotion. I am going to try that first. I will be the matron of honor in a wedding 3 months from now. I will have to expose my arms in the dress so I am praying that this will work. Can you send me some instructions on the best way to apply the lotion. Can it cause streaking?
I have had vitiligo for 13 years. I acquired it after having a reaction to the powder in latex gloves. It started out on my hands but now I have it all over. I am fair skinned so it is easier to hide in the fall and winter. I tan in the summer and that is my most difficult time of year. I have so many areas on my arms. I miss being able to wear short sleaved shirts without feeling embarrassed. I have tried several cosmetics to cover these areas but because I have so much of it, the cover up almost brings more attention to the areas. I am considering fading my skin with prescription hydroquinolone cream. I know there are complicatations associated with this and that I will have to be extremely careful due to the increased risk of skin cancer. However, I am at the point where I just want to be able to fit into society again. I’m glad that there are others out there that understand how this feels.
Hi Joseph,
I would love to give you a definitive answer, but it’d be best to tell a medically trained professional about your symptoms. personally, i don’t have those issues with my vitiligo…everyone is different though.
happy new year!
nathalie
mine is a question.i have been having serious problems with my tummy.digestion problems,gas,hard stool,perpitation.is this because of vitigo i have been living with more than ten years.pls answer.
Remember, you are not alone on this, there are quite a few people with vitiligo, even if you never seem to see them.
All I have to say about this is, “keep a positive attitude,” no matter what, if you worry about it, that is just feeding it. Worrying about something isn’t going to do a bit of good, it is what it is, so try to make the best of whatever it is, because life is way too short to worry, like I said before, it doesn’t do a bit of good to worry! God Bless….