There are several different theories about the cause of vitiligo but exact causes of vitiligo are not known. There is strong evidence that most of the people with vitiligo inherit this de-pigmentation disorder. Most of the people also believe that this de-pigmentation disorder occurs when a person’s immune system starts reacting against the body’s own organs or tissues. Our body starts producing cytokines which alter the melanocytes and cause them to die. According to another theory melanocytes destroy themselves. Some people also believe that a single event like sunburn or emotional distress helps in triggering vitiligo however these events have not been scientifically proven as cause of vitiligo.
Approximately sixty five million people around the world are affected by vitiligo. Those who develop this disease mostly develop it at a younger age. Both genders irrespective of race are equally affected by vitiligo.
It is also noticed that this skin pigmentation disorder is common in people with certain autoimmune diseases which include hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), adrenocortical insufficiency (the adrenal gland does not produce enough of the hormone called corticosteroid), alopecia areata (patches of baldness), and pernicious anemia (a low level of red blood cells caused by the failure of the body to absorb vitamin B12). Scientists do not know more about the relationships of vitiligo with other autoimmune. Most of the people with vitiligo do not have any other autoimmune disease but still it is believed that vitiligo has some association with them.
Vitiligo is a hereditary disorder as it runs in families. Children are most likely to develop vitiligo if their parents have this disorder. Most of the people with vitiligo do not have a family history of vitiligo but thirty out of hundred people with vitiligo have a family member with the disease.
