Vitiligo or Hypopigmentation

Hi, since the age of 18 I've started to get eczema.  It started on the legs but it started appearing on my face (around my eye areas and especially around the brows) recently and topically.  My doctor originally prescribed me "Hyderm 1% Hydrocortisone cream" in December 2009.  

I started to take it and my eczema seemed to be under control.  Starting in May the skin around my eyes (Where I primarily used the cream) started getting paler.  I am a dark-skinned individual so it was evident what was happening.  I read that steroid creams sometimes cause hypo-pigmentation so I decided to stop using the medication.  

As it currently stands, the area around my eye and a small part on my chin is slightly inflammatory.  You can feel that the affected area is smoother and slightly raised and of course lighter.  I went to see a dermatologist recently and he checked it with a UV light and stated that it might be vitiligo, mainly the corner areas of the light patch.  I googled for symptoms of vitiligo and other than the lighter skin I do not see much of a case for it.  The area isn't too light, it's a lighter shade of my brown skin and it definitely burns/itches (very much feels like eczema).  

I've been prescribed pretty expensive medication called Protopic, (When asked between 30 and 60 doctor prescribed the 30 version).  I just want to know if this really is a case of Vitiligo or hypo-pigmentation caused by the hydrocortisone and get a second opinion.  I've added a picture, cheers.

[samurai_jack]

Sorry, I should also note the white spots are areas where I've specifically used hydrocortisone cream.  Also the second part of my question was if it's possible for my skin to get back to its normal colour.

[samurai_jack]

I'm also currently using vaseline on it to treat it as I don't really have a medication for it.

[samurai_jack]

Anything?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks more like vitiligo. It 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.
My advice would be to get a skin biopsy done to confirm the diagnosis. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.