8 yr old skin conditions

[rmw43099]

My daughter, now 8 yrs old (a twin), diagnosed with vitiligo, problem with tactile defensiveness, isolated eczema, warm to touch (no fever), rather wear shorts/short sleeve, no shirt, no clothes at home, OT denied said she had no sensory issues, her peditrican said then she needs to see psychologist (said was OCD).  Never followed thru on that.  She used to get intense colds, throwing up, gave her immune system supplements for kids.  After couple months she stopped having to blow her nose often and colds were normal.  Chinese herbalist suggested her kidney and blood flow are out of balance, she could not tolerate supplements unfortuately (not expensive), said could help w/sensory issue within 4 months, vitiligo longer to maintain. Knew people who were helped w/supplements for vitiligo.  Because of the above, I have a gut feeling something is wrong on the "inside" which is revealing itself on the outside, deficiency, toxicity, malfunction creating these symptoms.  Vitamin supplements w/fluoride since 3 anything to do with this?  Body lacking specific enzyme, food allergies? She was tested for some skin allergy "nickel only".  What goes on inside must reveal itself on the outside. Frustrated, scared more is going on inside her body.  Any response that could help point me in a direction to obtain more information.  How I would know that everything inside my daughter is healthy for the most part and she will not have further health issues?  If I need to be directed to another specialized physician, then okay point me the way.  If you can recommend tests to check for anything in particular and who would do that, please share.  I am most appreciative to any information you can help provide us.  Renee    

[loiloi]

if your doctor is unsympathetic find one who is. I was told there was nothing wrong with my son but i didn't give up as a mother's instincts are usually right. At age 4 he was finally diagnosed with cerebral palsy and eventually at age 7 he was diagnosed with autism. He also has acne which the first doctor i took him to was not interested in, so i took him to another doctor who refered us to an endocrinologist. Don't trust chinese medicine to diagnose a child. Get refered to a dermatologist to put your mind at rest. It must be difficult looking after twins without all this addded worry. Best wishes. loiloi x

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

As we understand both vitiligo and eczema, neither condition has anything to do with malfunctioning inside the body.  Chinese medicine has a different outlook, on which I cannot comment.  In particular, I do not know what is meant by kidney and blood flow being out of balance.  The patients I see with these conditions are healthy otherwise.  We understand the cause of neither condition.  Treatment is directed at relieving symptoms, which for vitiligo is difficult and often not worthwhile.  Testing is rarely of any use.  I do not think you need to be scared about your daughter.  The only specialized physician I believe you need is a dermatologist.  

Best.

Dr. Rockoff