Vitiligo of the Penis

[sa2435]

I am an attorney and have a client who has developed acute vitiligo of the penis. This condition developed after he and his fiancee used a heated K-Y Jelly product. He has sought the advice of a board certified dermatologist who has suggested that a chemical in the product could very well have caused the loss of pigmentation. He has no vitiligo on any other part of his body. It has also been suggested to him that others have developed this condition after using this particular brand of product. Does anyone know if there is a known causal relationship between the use of this product and the development of vitiligo? The condition has caused this young man considerable concern, frustration and embarrassment. Any information you could provide would be appreciated.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
This kind of depigmentation can be due to post inflammatory hypopigmentation. It presents as poorly defined whitening of the skin which is irregular in outline. Often the loss of pigment is partial rather than complete.
Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Diagnosis can be confirmed by external examination, blood tests to check skin cell count for melanocytes and biopsy of the skin patches. For the confirmation of diagnosisi would suggest you to consult a dermatologist.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[sa2435]

Thank you for your response and information. Do you know of any relationship between Vitiligo and the use of a heated K-Y Jelly product?  Do you know of any medical literature, or otherwise, that indicates such a causal relationship?  Again, thank you.