Hypopigmentation

If you google vitiligo treatment there's some helpful info. Especially recommending using high factor sunscreen as depigmented skin can burn easily.

My mother had white patches on her arms. I dont know what caused it nor if she had any treatment, but that was called vitiligo.

I have family members with Vitiligo, Lichen Sclerosis, thyroid issues. The one with Lichen Sclerosis also has small white patches on their arms but not vitiligo. She was told LS and the small white patches often occur together. The one with Vitiligo has larger white patches over his neck, arms and face. He can put a cover up cream on but doesn't bother any more as it looked odd. Doctors are much quicker with diagnosing Vitiligo now so I'd have thought they would have said it was that if suspected. There's a lot more clinical trials for potential treatments now Sunscreen as HelterSkelter said, is essential. So hopefully if it's because of over-squeezing a spot then hopefully it will recover.

The reason I mentioned all of the above conditions is because they are autoimmune conditions and apparently genetically connected.

From what I read, this all depends on the depth of skin damage, and whether the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) have been temporarily stunned or permanently destroyed. From what you describe happened, I would say this is more likely to be temporary. It may just need more time (and patience) for the cells to start to making melanin again.

Yes as Graphite says that makes more sense.

Many thanks for your responses.
It is not vitiligo but a result of the trauma she caused herself through squeezing the spot. I am fervently hoping the colour will return but neither of the consultants we have seen had experience of hypopigmentation caused in this way. If only we could be sure the colour would eventually return my daughter would have hope- it’s the not knowing that is causing her such profound distress.
Thank you again

Some more thoughts.

I am no expert but, as we are having this prolonged hot weather, I’m thinking about what happens to the skin when it is exposed to sunlight.

When UV rays damage skin cells, it's the melanocytes which produce more melanin, the pigment that darkens the skin to protect deeper tissue from further injury.

If the melanocytes are temporary stunned and are not producing melanin, could expose to sunlight set back the healing process?

The nose is often the first part of our face to burn in sun.

So a question to ask the consultant is whether, in this prolonged sunny weather, whether any exposure to sun is good or bad for the healing process.

Meantime to be on the safe side I’ll cover up with factor 50, wear a hat and keep sun exposure to a minimum case it’s doing more harm than good.