Question
My child is 8 years old, and in the past two years, I’ve noticed some areas on his face have turned patchy white. Could this be a symptom of vitiligo?
Answer
Experts point out that during the initial stages of infant vitiligo, the skin’s pigment has not completely disappeared, and the boundary between the white spots and normal skin is not distinct. The white spots may initially appear as pinpoint areas of pigment loss, and as the condition progresses, the loss of pigment can lead to the expansion of white spots, with clearer boundaries from normal skin. The development and stationary phases of white spots often alternate, with some patients experiencing a significant worsening of symptoms at the end of spring and the beginning of summer. Infant vitiligo typically manifests as regional areas of pigment loss, characterized by spots of varying sizes, shapes, and quantities that can appear on any part of the body but are more common on exposed and friction-prone areas. Usually, the distribution of white spots is symmetrical, but they may also be confined to a specific area or unilateral, sometimes following the distribution along cutaneous nerve segments. Among the factors contributing to infant vitiligo are genetics, mental stress, environmental pollution, skin damage, self-destruction of melanocytes, and deficiencies in trace elements. Parents should be more vigilant in daily life, avoid exposing their children to potential triggers, and detect and treat the condition early. It’s worth noting that the initial symptoms of infant vitiligo are often not obvious and can easily be overlooked. Therefore, if parents notice any abnormalities in their child’s skin, they should take their child to a doctor promptly for early diagnosis and treatment to prevent further deterioration. Additionally, since vitiligo is a condition with certain…