What is known is that the risk of developing vitiligo increases in kids with a family or personal history of thyroid disease, diabetes, and certain conditions like alopecia (an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss). And vitiligo is never contagious — kids can't "catch" it from someone else.
Does vitiligo get passed to next generation?
If a person has vitiligo, the risk that a first-degree family member (parent, child, or sibling) is 5%, or 5 times higher than the general population. That seems like a big increase, but even so, that means only about 1 in 20 first-degree relatives of vitiligo patients get vitiligo as well.21 Jun 2014
Is vitiligo inherited from parents?
Although vitiligo is not strictly associated with family genetics, it can run in families. In fact, approximately 30% of people with the condition will have a family history. Therefore, children will not get vitiligo strictly on the grounds that a parent has it.
Who is most likely to get vitiligo?
Vitiligo affects all races and genders equally; however, it is more visible in people with darker skin. Although vitiligo can develop in anyone at any age, it most commonly appears in people ages 10 to 30 years.13 Jan 2020
Can vitiligo be passed on genetically?
Vitiligo sometimes "runs in families," suggesting a genetic basis. However, in these families, the inheritance appears to be multifactorial, involving the interaction between multiple genes and unidentified environmental factors or triggers.
Is vitiligo genetic and can it spread to my next generation?
It sometimes "runs in families," suggesting that genetics may play a role. People with vitiligo often report that its onset was related to a specific triggering event, such as injury, illness, sunburn, emotional stress, or pregnancy. However, there are currently no data supporting that these factors cause vitiligo.
What is the main cause of vitiligo?
What causes vitiligo? Vitiligo is caused by the lack of a pigment called melanin in the skin. Melanin is produced by skin cells called melanocytes, and it gives your skin its colour. In vitiligo, there are not enough working melanocytes to produce enough melanin in your skin.
What causes vitiligo to worsen?
Emotionally stressful events may trigger the development of vitiligo, potentially due to hormonal changes that occur when a person experiences stress. As in other autoimmune diseases, emotional stress can worsen vitiligo and cause it to become more severe.4 Dec 2019
Can you suddenly develop vitiligo?
People can develop vitiligo at any age, but approximately one-half of cases are diagnosed either in childhood or before someone turns 20. The first signs of vitiligo are white patches on the skin, which can develop anywhere on the body, including on the face, arms, hands, genitals, and buttocks.4 Sept 2020