Vitiligo Causes & Risks

Causes

The white patches are due to the destruction of melanocytes cells. These cells in the skin make pigment. Loss of pigment causes the skin to become lighter. It looks especially lighter compared to normal skin nearby. This is why vitiligo is more visible in darker-skinned people.

The exact cause of the pigment loss is not known. Possible causes include:

The body’s immune system may destroy the melanocytes
Melanocytes may destroy themselves
Defective nerve cells may make toxic substances that harm the melanocytes

It is likely that a genetic defect make the cells more vulnerable to damage.

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your chance for vitiligo include:

Family members with vitiligo or hair turning gray early
Age: 10 to 30
Certain autoimmune diseases, most notably thyroid disease

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