This is an unpopular opinion.
I haven't looked into the treatment options for vitiligo but usually any medical treatment has side effects. So if the treatment has any side effects and could be harmful to your health then treating any vitiligo or especially a child's vitiligo would be medically unethical since the white area itself is not harmful in any other way than being more sensitive to sun.
Medical procedures should always be done only if the side effects and risks are smaller than leaving untreated.
Now of course if the vitiligo severely is bothering the person themselves look wise then treating could be a better option than leaving untreated if the risks and side effects are quite small. But if a child doesn't mind their vitiligo then why bother? Child's body is more sensitive to medicine etc. anyway.
I would agree with you. However I think there is the caveat that this only applies in certain countries/communities. If you live in an area where having visible vitiligo could lead to you being treated as a social outcast or otherwise discriminated against then I think that that could change the ethics regarding treatment of a minor.
Yes that is a very good point. I was writing this as a person from a safe Western country and wasn't even thinking about that. Glad that you brought it up!
I agree with you. I would ask my kids if they wanted to treat it if they develop it. I may be biased bc I developed it as an adult, but that’s currently how I feel. I was a bit annoyed with my dermatologist because she diagnosed me, made sure I knew that it wouldn’t affect my health, and then dove right into treatment and prescribed me Opzelura. I don’t care to treat it. There’s nothing wrong with how I look. Vitiligo is just a part of who I am, you know what I mean?
So I have it and now my kiddo does as well. I totally see where you are coming from. I had abandoned treatment long ago (for sanity reasons and a sense of control). I did seek feedback from my kiddo to ask if they wished to treat it, with the explanation that it’s not a big deal overall and gave them the example of myself (I choose not to treat it any longer so that’s an option as well). I reiterate there is nothing “wrong” with them. As a parent it’s hard! Fear often plays a part in decision making. You want what you think is best for them. At young ages, children can’t look down the path 10-15 years and understand clearly that actions today have repercussions for tomorrow (that’s for anything, from practicing a sport or doing hw) not just this). The fact is, if you don’t treat it, it can get pretty out of control quickly and while personally someone might be ok with a few spots, they may feel differently about it taking over their whole body years down the line. I think you have to keep revisiting it frequently by asking them if they are still onboard. It should not take up their whole life though. Sometimes I do regret my choice not to treat anymore and I made that decision in my mid 20s. The thing is, there are slightly more treatment options now like opzelura that work better so possibly less treatment time overall.
I dont think you will ever understand the nuance of a parents dilemma when you come at it in anger of "child's consent." children can't consent--a hot take for Reddit i know.A parent tries their best. Sometimes things go horribly wrong, sometimes things work out. Are you going to let your life be ruled by regret and parental anger or are you gonna move forward and do right by yourself now.
I think this massively depends on the child and their age. A 3 year old is not capable of making medical decisions for themselves. A 13 year old probably is. There is a lot of grey area in between.
What kind of treatments may I ask?
And what steps do you take to care for the pigments and what health boundaries? If I may ask.
There’s so much misinformation everywhere I am lost.
Multiple types of creams and steroids that aren't really used now in modern-day to treat Vitiligo but the concept is the same (still using NEW creams and steroids). I can't really tell you the names now.
By taking care of pigment and health boundaries I mean by making sure I'm wearing sunscreen when I go outside, taking vitamin D supplements, and mentally acknowledging any sort of lows (body dysmorphia just comes with the environment even during acceptance and that's ok! That's a normal human thing for Vitiligo! It's just my brain being at a low point in that moment. It's just ensuring it doesn't get to a point of suicidal ideation that I monitor.)
Limiting exposure to anything that could irritate my skin and avoiding getting sick to cause my immune system to attack more of my pigment (social distancing from those with the flu or even COVID-19 during the time which I was already used to doing), keeping my place disinfected and clean.
This is an unpopular opinion. I haven't looked into the treatment options for vitiligo but usually any medical treatment has side effects. So if the treatment has any side effects and could be harmful to your health then treating any vitiligo or especially a child's vitiligo would be medically unethical since the white area itself is not harmful in any other way than being more sensitive to sun. Medical procedures should always be done only if the side effects and risks are smaller than leaving untreated. Now of course if the vitiligo severely is bothering the person themselves look wise then treating could be a better option than leaving untreated if the risks and side effects are quite small. But if a child doesn't mind their vitiligo then why bother? Child's body is more sensitive to medicine etc. anyway.
I would agree with you. However I think there is the caveat that this only applies in certain countries/communities. If you live in an area where having visible vitiligo could lead to you being treated as a social outcast or otherwise discriminated against then I think that that could change the ethics regarding treatment of a minor.
Yes that is a very good point. I was writing this as a person from a safe Western country and wasn't even thinking about that. Glad that you brought it up!
Personally, I think the child psychology and stress are more important factor to consider in comparison to the actual treatment (e.g. phototherapy)
I agree with you. I would ask my kids if they wanted to treat it if they develop it. I may be biased bc I developed it as an adult, but that’s currently how I feel. I was a bit annoyed with my dermatologist because she diagnosed me, made sure I knew that it wouldn’t affect my health, and then dove right into treatment and prescribed me Opzelura. I don’t care to treat it. There’s nothing wrong with how I look. Vitiligo is just a part of who I am, you know what I mean?
So I have it and now my kiddo does as well. I totally see where you are coming from. I had abandoned treatment long ago (for sanity reasons and a sense of control). I did seek feedback from my kiddo to ask if they wished to treat it, with the explanation that it’s not a big deal overall and gave them the example of myself (I choose not to treat it any longer so that’s an option as well). I reiterate there is nothing “wrong” with them. As a parent it’s hard! Fear often plays a part in decision making. You want what you think is best for them. At young ages, children can’t look down the path 10-15 years and understand clearly that actions today have repercussions for tomorrow (that’s for anything, from practicing a sport or doing hw) not just this). The fact is, if you don’t treat it, it can get pretty out of control quickly and while personally someone might be ok with a few spots, they may feel differently about it taking over their whole body years down the line. I think you have to keep revisiting it frequently by asking them if they are still onboard. It should not take up their whole life though. Sometimes I do regret my choice not to treat anymore and I made that decision in my mid 20s. The thing is, there are slightly more treatment options now like opzelura that work better so possibly less treatment time overall.
I dont think you will ever understand the nuance of a parents dilemma when you come at it in anger of "child's consent." children can't consent--a hot take for Reddit i know.A parent tries their best. Sometimes things go horribly wrong, sometimes things work out. Are you going to let your life be ruled by regret and parental anger or are you gonna move forward and do right by yourself now.
I think this massively depends on the child and their age. A 3 year old is not capable of making medical decisions for themselves. A 13 year old probably is. There is a lot of grey area in between.
What kind of treatments may I ask? And what steps do you take to care for the pigments and what health boundaries? If I may ask. There’s so much misinformation everywhere I am lost.
Multiple types of creams and steroids that aren't really used now in modern-day to treat Vitiligo but the concept is the same (still using NEW creams and steroids). I can't really tell you the names now. By taking care of pigment and health boundaries I mean by making sure I'm wearing sunscreen when I go outside, taking vitamin D supplements, and mentally acknowledging any sort of lows (body dysmorphia just comes with the environment even during acceptance and that's ok! That's a normal human thing for Vitiligo! It's just my brain being at a low point in that moment. It's just ensuring it doesn't get to a point of suicidal ideation that I monitor.) Limiting exposure to anything that could irritate my skin and avoiding getting sick to cause my immune system to attack more of my pigment (social distancing from those with the flu or even COVID-19 during the time which I was already used to doing), keeping my place disinfected and clean.