Statistically, 1 in 100 people have visible vitiligo. So that means plenty of people here should, as well. Here's our thread. Tell people what this condition has meant to you. You may wish to share where your spots are on your body if acceptable. It may also help the reader to understand the extent of the depigmentation.
I personally have had no issues because I am white as boiled chicken and you can only see the spots when I catch a tan by mistake here and there. But I have several large spots on my body that are growing, and my hands are on their way to being completely covered in the next few years. They are easy to see under a blacklight (the real fluorescent kind, not the little purple bulb). I think of them as living tattoos and always get excited about finding a new spot somewhere. Strenuous exercise seems to spark the development of new spots and growth of existing spots. I have never tried to get rid of them because they are hardly noticeable and they have not, as far as I know, had any impact on my life that I consider meaningful. It is on my hands, mostly, with larger patches on the wrists and a big hat-shaped spot under my right arm. Some on my feet and toes, too. None on my face yet.
When I see people with it, I usually show them my spots and ask a few general questions like if they know what triggers it or how fast it grows. Always ends well with encouragement from both sides. So don't be afraid to ask us! It's really no big deal to the five or six people I've talked to.
I personally have had no issues because I am white as boiled chicken and you can only see the spots when I catch a tan by mistake here and there. But I have several large spots on my body that are growing, and my hands are on their way to being completely covered in the next few years. They are easy to see under a blacklight (the real fluorescent kind, not the little purple bulb). I think of them as living tattoos and always get excited about finding a new spot somewhere. Strenuous exercise seems to spark the development of new spots and growth of existing spots. I have never tried to get rid of them because they are hardly noticeable and they have not, as far as I know, had any impact on my life that I consider meaningful. It is on my hands, mostly, with larger patches on the wrists and a big hat-shaped spot under my right arm. Some on my feet and toes, too. None on my face yet.
When I see people with it, I usually show them my spots and ask a few general questions like if they know what triggers it or how fast it grows. Always ends well with encouragement from both sides. So don't be afraid to ask us! It's really no big deal to the five or six people I've talked to.
