What Are the Causes of Vitiligo?
The cause or causes of
vitiligo are unknown, but doctors and researchers have several different theories.
One theory is that vitiligo may be an
autoimmune disease. These diseases happen when your immune system mistakenly attacks some part of your body. In vitiligo, the immune system may destroy the melanocytes in the skin. It is also possible that one or more genes may make a person more likely to get vitiligo.
Another theory is that melanocytes destroy themselves. Also, some people have reported that a single event, such as sunburn or emotional distress, triggered vitiligo; however, these events have not been scientifically proven to be a cause of vitiligo.
Causes of Vitiligo: Know the Risk Factors
While not causes of vitiligo, certain factors seem to increase a person's chances of developing it. Issues known to be vitiligo risk factors include certain
autoimmune diseases and a family history of the disease.
Autoimmune Diseases
Vitiligo seems to be more common in people with certain autoimmune diseases, including:
- Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland)
- Adrenocortical insufficiency (Addison's disease)
- Alopecia areata (patches of baldness)
- Pernicious anemia (a low level of red blood cells caused by failure of the body to absorb vitamin B12).
Scientists do not know the reason for the association between vitiligo and these autoimmune diseases. However, most people with vitiligo have no other autoimmune disease.
