discoloration of penis

[Vinny1967]

Dear Doctor:

Since about a month ago I have notice a slight discoloration on the shaft of my penis. The discoloration is a pale white and starts at mid shaft up to the base of the head.
Also, when you look at some hair follicles in the shaft there are small circles of discoloration or lost of pigmentation around hair. There is no rash, itching or burning sensation at all. There have not been any casual sexual encounters and or STD.  Prior to this, I did suffer of what I thought was a yeast infection: dryness of the penis skin and treated it with 1% hydrocortisone cream. After that I started using skin lotion to moisturize the area.

Any help is welcome!!!!!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

This could be vitiligo, which is complete loss of pigment and is common on the penis, but that usually develops more slowly (though you might not have noticed it.)  I think you'll need to see a doctor to know for sure what this is.  It does not sound like an STD, however.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[Leon08]

Dr. i have been reading about vitiligo and i think my girlfriend has it. a couple of her fingers on each hand have the white spots under the just bellow the nails.. by the first knuckle. Is there a cure for Vitiligo? she remembers having something similar on her leg when she was a little girl but then it went away. the ones she has now she got maybe about 10 months ago. she has them on her fingers, breast and some small spots on her back. Is there a cure for lost of skin color? we think shes in a very early stage.

thank you in advance for your help