A person withvitiligois more likely to getlupusthan someone without it.
Vitiligo can also be a symptom of lupus.
People with vitiligo are more likely to have otherautoimmune disordersthan people who dont have it.
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This article discusses the connection between vitiligo and lupus, their symptoms, and treatment options.
FG Trade / E+ / Getty Images
What Are Autoimmune Diseases?
In autoimmune diseases, part of the immune system becomes overly active.
Sometimes this causes pain and inflammation in the affected area.
NLRP1 Gene
Scientists are still learning a lot about the complex factors that cause vitiligo.
They think it probably happens due to a complicated combination of environmental effects and a personsgenes.
That refers to individual differences in the DNA you inherit from your parents.
The protein made by the NLRP1 gene is a key regulator of the immune system.
Other unidentified environmental factors might be involved, too, but we are still learning a lot.
Vitiligo and Other Autoimmune Disorders
Similarly, having vitiligo increases ones chances of having other autoimmune disorders.
This might be because of NLRP1, other genes, or other environmental factors.
People who have more severe vitiligo are more likely to have one or more additional autoimmune disorders.
These might mean that you have another new autoimmune disease that needs to be diagnosed and treated.
However, some people do experience psychological stress or embarrassment from their symptoms.
Currently, treatment options for vitiligo are limited and often dont work very well.
Some options include:
Scientists are actively working to find more effective treatments for the condition.
Many of these people need to take regular oral medications to keep their symptoms in check.
It can be challenging, but with good treatment, these conditions are usually manageable.
Dont hesitate to talk to your doctor about all your concerns and discuss any new potential symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, yes.
Having anautoimmune disorderputs you at greater risk of getting another one.
This is probably due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors.
Some people even have three or more different autoimmune diseases.
No, vitiligo is not a form of lupus.
Both are autoimmune conditions that can affect your skin.
If you have one, you are more likely to get the other.
But they are two different diseases with two different treatments.
Most people who have one will never develop the other.
Studies vary on this.
However, autoimmune thyroid disease seems to be one of the most common.
This could be Hashimotos thyroid disease, causinghypothyroidism(too little thyroid hormone).
Or it might be Graves disease, causinghyperthyroidism(too little thyroid hormone).
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