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My son is 11 years old. About a year ago, he developed a white spot on his face... it looks as though his skin has lost pigmentation in that spot. It is on his chin, near the corner of his mouth... it is about the size of a quarter, but seems to be slowly spreading. He is becoming very self-conscious about it. I'd like to take him to a dermatologist, but unfortunately I am temporarily without medical insurance and can't afford to. I wonder if any parents on this board have ever dealt with something like this, and if so, how was it treated? Someone told me it might be caused by a vitamin deficiency, but my son eats healthy and takes supplements, so I don't think that's it. Another friend of mine told me that the white spot was probably caused by a fungus. If so, would an over-the-counter topical anti-fungal cream work, or does it have to be a prescription? I'm getting a little worried about it. It is effecting his good looks and his self-image, and he has been teased about it at school. I think these white spots are fairly common, I've seen them on other people, but mostly people of color. My son is caucasian, but dark-skinned. Does anyone have any experience dealing with something like this, and if so, how did you make it go away? Suggestions welcome. Thanks, ~Sharon :confused:
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My friend has something simular growing up...she is firstnations and had then pretty much all over her face. It was from lack of iron, it is also caused by a hormonal inbalance...11 yrs old, he may be going through puberty. She used liver tonic???or oil I am not certain, as well as ultraviolet rays...suntanning booth.
I am enemic and have a low white blood cell count, as do all my children, I would checked into that possibility we all take iron supplements and try to maintain a high protien diet. I will check into it for you.
Sharon,
I have a 16 year old son that about 2 years ago had a white spot on his hand that sounds the same. I took him to the doctor and he knew right where to look. There were other spots, shins, hands, feet, etc. In his case, it was a disease called "vitaligo" It is where the skin looses pigment. They don't know what causes it yet, and there is no treatment besides a cortisone cream that in my Drew's case, didn't work. It just slows it down a little in some cases. This is the disease that Michael Jackson has. Boy did I feel bad for all the jokes I told about him. Can you imagine how hard it would be if you were of a darker pigmented ancestry. How scary. I think that's why he's bleached his other skin, so the spots aren't so noticable. I cried when Drew was diagnosed, but didn't in front of him. Didn't want to scare him. But he looked at me and said "No biggee" It doesn't hurt, and as long as I'm healthy and can play ball, I don't care. He was 12 at the time. He is now almost 17 and it still doesn't bother him too much. He wears sunscreen in the summer, to keep the noticeability down. Attitude is half the battle. There are other concerns with vitaligo, down the road, involving liver tests, but that was later, in his 30's. Doctor just said, sunscreen, and cortisone cream for now. I know how it feels without health insurance. We are between right now too, and I've never prayed so hard in my life. I have a clutzy gene in me, my kids got it, we run into walls. LOL.
Good luck and let me know what's what.
Lots of hugs,
Beth
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Beth, I took my son to the free clinic this morning and yes, the doctor said it looked like vitiligo. He recommended sunscreen... he said there are treatment options, including steroids (?) but nothing that is guarranteed to work. I'm not going to pursue any treatment at this time because it sounds risky, and frankly I can't afford it. The doctor also mentioned that vitiligo has been linked to other illnesses like diabetes, thyroid problems, and I can't remember what else, further down the road. He said vitiligo does not necessarily mean my son will get these other diseases, but it increases his chances of them. I've been crying on and off most of the day... like you, trying to hide it from my son. He's not nearly as upset as I am about it. It's the increased risk of other diseases that scares me; I could care less about the cosmetic aspects, as long as he's healthy. I guess it'll just take me a while to adjust to all this. I'm glad to hear your son is doing well now. Best wishes, ~Sharon
Oh hon~ (((((((HUG))))))) Parenting is the most painful thing I've ever done in my life! When my kids hurt, it feels like knifes in the heart!! Wipe your eyes, he is fine for now, and the future medical problems may never occur.
Drew was diagnosed at 12, and he is almost 17. I say 17, cause we are just weeks away. He is dealing with it wonderfully still. His is mostly on his arms, legs, and chest. He is fearful of it spreading to his face, so your "little one" already is facing challenges we haven't reached. It is such a touchy time for them to be "different" from anyone else. Drew is having a terrible time with acne on his face and begs me to take him to the dermatologist. In Mn, we have MN CARE, with is state subsidized medical insurance. I tried to get it and it would be $579 a month for our family. YIKES! So no dermatologist for now and I buy over the counter acne stuff. But I do keep dialoging with him about the vitaligo. He is aware of the possible health concerns in the future, but he is a typical teen. "Never happen to me" It did help him to know that one of his little sister's friends parents has it. She was shocked I knew what it was when I saw her hands. She says it is very hereditary! I looked into it and it is. Runs in families. My poor kids, both me and their Dad are adopted. My EX's birth mom found him in '89, and he has a cousin that has Alopecia. It is related to vitaligo. Alopecia is when they suddenly loose all their hair, and this boy is only 13, bald on his head, and losing his eyebrows and lashes. I don't know how they are related, but they both seem to be related to the immune system somehow. I have asthma, and arthritis, and they are both immune system disorders. Also , IBS-Irritable bowel syndrome seems to come in there somewhere too.
I just keep my eye on his overall health, he is VERY active, too active, skateboarding, running, basketball, but also accident prone.
If you want more info, I go to [url]www.webmd.com[/url] and they have some more info. I believe in learning as much as you can about the things life throws at you. Less scary to know.
Many hugs, wish I could give you one in person. Don't let it get you down.
Beth