A few months ago, about 7, I noticed I had patches of skin that were changing colour. People normally refer to me a olive-skinned, but the patches were were turning pale. As it was Spring and we were having an unusually sunny time, and because I am a typical man, I decided to ignore them.

But then a few months later, in summer, I developed white patches on my hairline. Unusually for me, I started to get sunburn in these patches. I've NEVER had sunburn! EVER! Well, ok, when I was 14 in Cornwall I got a burnt neck and had to wear my cap backwards to as to protect it, but that really was it.

I decided* I had to see the doctor, so made an appointment.

(*My wife became increasingly concerned and expressed a huge desire for me to consult a medical professional, rather than just dismiss these white patches as "one of those things" while I sit playing xbox)

So I went to the doctors, and I have vitiligo.

A brief summary of what vitiligo is would be...... It's an auto-immune disease where my attacks my own skin colouring (melanin) causing it to die off and leave a bleached-look effect on my skin. It's that skin colour-changing disease that Michael Jackson had that made him look white.

The doctor said there is no definate cure.

Interestingly, he also said that if I was open to the idea I could try homeopathic remedies designed to encourage melanin restoration.

Now I have an indepth understanding of how homeopathic remedies are made and, because of this, I believe them not to work. There is no possible way they can work. Absolutely none. So I replied by saying "There is no point telling people they are having a placebo..."

He laughed, then agreed, then made me an appointment to see another medically qualified professional to discuss the next steps - camoflage, steroids to encourage melanin growth or bleaching to remove the remaining melanin.

So, yeah....... I have vitiligo.

I've made a new category on my blog, and everything relating to my vitiligo and treatment will appear in there.