Vitilgo

Hi there, I have vitiligo too. It started about 6 years ago and has expanded since - mostly on my genitals. I've started to notice other patches on my hands and face but they're not very noticeable yet. I find explaining more about it to people and being open about it makes it easier. People don't want to stare but they sometimes haven't seen it before but are curious. Once you've seen it once, the questions tend to disappear.

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Hey there, any guys out there with genital vitiligo. I am trying to come to terms with it, its not dirty, or infectious or anything, just unsightlyJust wondering if others have it and how you cope with it. Im embarrassed to be seen nude.

Every one of us has features that make us unique. Those looking for reasons to be unkind or mean will find one no matter what we look like, or do not. It's more common than I think most realize and I don't see anything to be ashamed of, it's just different pigmentation on your skin. The best way to deal with your feelings of insecurity and shame is to face them head on. Most of us who harbour these feelings do so because they were imposed on us by others over our lifetimes, sometimes by strangers and other times by people closer to us. What these people think is immaterial to your happiness. Sure, it affects us and certainly it is unkind, but we are the ones who carry those negative feelings forward and hold on to them, for all kinds of reasons, and this isn't about saying they are wrong, or right, better, or worse, only that self esteem and confidence belong to everyone and we as individuals don't need the approval or permission of others to feel good about our bodies and our selves.

Finding supportive nudist social groups that work on body image and confidence is a good place to start. I've led groups where the youngest was 27 and the eldest 77, and what those two (in particular but everyone else too) found out was that they both had exactly the same fears and insecurities about being nude and seen by others. Both assumed the other and others were confident and that they were the odd man out. Talking through these things helped everyone relax, become comfortable, and grow.

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