What Increases Your Risk for Vitiligo

It’s unknown exactly what causes vitiligo. The condition doesn’t appear to be inherited. Most people with vitiligo don’t have a family history of the disorder. But family history of vitiligo or other autoimmune conditions may increase your risk even though it doesn’t cause vitiligo.

Another risk factor may be having genes associated with vitiligo, including NLRP1 and PTPN22

Most researchers believe that vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder because your body is attacking your own cells. But it’s also unclear how your body attacks your pigment cells. What is known is that about 20 percent of people with vitiligo also have one other autoimmune disorder. Depending on the population, these disorders can include the following, from most common to least common:

• scleroderma, a disorder of the connective tissue of the body
• lupus
• thyroiditis, caused by an improperly functioning thyroid
• psoriasis
• alopecia areata, or baldness
• type 1 diabetes
• pernicious anemia, an inability to absorb vitamin B-12
• Addison’s disease
• rheumatoid arthritis

Some experts also report vitiligo appearing after incidents of:

• severe sunburns or cuts
• exposure to toxins and chemicals
• high levels of stress