I got white spots on my sidewalls of my nose from too frequent steroid injections.

Question

I got white spots on my sidewalls of my nose from too frequent steroid injections. I have asked this question before an every doctor said the loss of pigment will not improve? Is there seriously anything at all I can do to improve it?? Even a vitiligo topical? Anything ??? This will be very disappointing

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The skin hypopigmentation may improve with time, but this is always a risk with steroid injections.  I personally do not inject steroids after rhinoplasty.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

John M. Hilinski, MD · Answer

You might want to consult with a dermatologist. They may have some additional options along the lines of topical tar preparations that have helped some people in the past. I have even heard of people trying topical Latisse in an attempt to darken the skin. The bottom line is that hypo pigmentation can be permanent. It might be worth a try to you, though.

Michael A. Epstein, MD, FACS · Answer

White spots or hypopigmentation as a result of steroid injections is a difficult problem to treat. If they are recent injections, the negative side effects may ware off with time and no treatment at all. I have performed repeated subcutaneous washings with saline injections to dilute any potential retained collections of the steroid. I only have anecdotal data that this works though.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I fyou ahve developed hypopigmentation on your nose after steroid injections, the only treatment I know of would be local tattooing to blend the color.

Michel Siegel, MD · Answer

As far as I know, there is nothing really clinically proven to bring the pigment back once the skin has lost its natural pigmentation.

I got white spots on my sidewalls of my nose from too frequent steroid injections.

Answers (5)