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 don’t have it. About 20% of people with vitiligo also have a different autoimmune disease.This may be due to similarities and overlaps in some genes and environmental factors.
This article discusses the connection between vitiligo and lupus, their symptoms, and treatment options.
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What Are Autoimmune Diseases?In autoimmune diseases, part of the immune system becomes overly active. Instead of appropriately targeting an infection, the immune system can start to react to a normal part of the body. Sometimes this causes pain and inflammation in the affected area.
What Are Autoimmune Diseases?
In autoimmune diseases, part of the immune system becomes overly active. Instead of appropriately targeting an infection, the immune system can start to react to a normal part of the body. 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 person’sgenes. That refers to individual differences in the DNA you inherit from your parents.
Many of the specific genes thought to increase one’s risk of vitiligo make proteins that are involved in the immune system. One especially important gene is called NLRP1 (nuclear localization leucine-rich-repeat protein 1; also sometimes abbreviated as NALP1).
Vitiligo and Lupus
So, having variations in certain genes like NLRP1 might increase your risk of getting vitiligo, lupus, or both. Other unidentified environmental factors might be involved, too, but we are still learning a lot.
One study found that a person with vitiligo was 20 times more likely to havelupusthan someone who did not have vitiligo.Other studies have shown increased risk as well.
We also know that people who have lupus are at higher risk of having other autoimmune diseases as well, such as vitiligo. So if you get one, you are more likely to eventually get the other compared with someone who doesn’t have an autoimmune disorder.
Vitiligo and Other Autoimmune Disorders
Similarly, having vitiligo increases one’s 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.
The following are just some of the autoimmune disorders that are common in people with vitiligo:
Additionally, these autoimmune diseases seem to be more common in people with close relatives who have vitiligo.
Stay in Touch With Your DoctorBe in close contact with your doctor about any new or unusual symptoms. These might mean that you have another new autoimmune disease that needs to be diagnosed and treated.
Stay in Touch With Your Doctor
Be in close contact with your doctor about any new or unusual symptoms. These might mean that you have another new autoimmune disease that needs to be diagnosed and treated.
Treatment
Fortunately, vitiligo itself affects just the skin and shouldn’t interfere too much with your everyday life. However, some people do experience psychological stress or embarrassment from their symptoms.
Currently, treatment options for vitiligo are limited and often don’t work very well. Some options include:
Scientists are actively working to find more effective treatments for the condition.
If you have another autoimmune disease, such aslupus, your potential symptoms may be more serious, and treatment is likely to be much more involved. Many of these people need to take regular oral medications to keep their symptoms in check.
For example, someone with lupus might need to take one or more of the following:
If you have more than one autoimmune disease, your clinician will carefully tailor your treatment to address both conditions.
A Word From Verywell
If you are someone with more than one autoimmune disease, you might feel angry and unlucky. Unfortunately, because of the way the immune system works, having one of these conditions does increase your risk of getting another.
It can be challenging, but with good treatment, these conditions are usually manageable. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about all your concerns and discuss any new potential symptoms.
Frequently Asked QuestionsUnfortunately, 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 Hashimoto’s thyroid disease, causinghypothyroidism(too little thyroid hormone). Or it might be Graves disease, causinghyperthyroidism(too little thyroid hormone).
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 Hashimoto’s thyroid disease, causinghypothyroidism(too little thyroid hormone). Or it might be Graves disease, causinghyperthyroidism(too little thyroid hormone).
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Vitiligo.Boggs W forThe Rheumatologist.Autoimmune diseases common in patients with vitiligo.Levandowski CB, Mailloux CM, Ferrara TM, et al.NLRP1 haplotypes associated with vitiligo and autoimmunity increase interleukin-1β processing via the NLRP1 inflammasome.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 110(8):2952-6. doi:10.1073/pnas.1222808110Lee H, Lee MH, Lee DY, et al.Prevalence of vitiligo and associated comorbidities in Korea.Yonsei Med J. 56(3):719-725. doi:10.3349/ymj.2015.56.3.719Spritz RA, Andersen GH.Genetics of vitiligo.Dermatol Clin. 35(2):245-255.doi:10.1016/j.det.2016.11.013Migayron L, Boniface K, Seneschal J.Vitiligo, From physiopathology to emerging treatments: A review.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 10(6):1185-1198.doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00447-yFanouriakis A, Kostopoulou M, Alunno A, et al.2019 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus.Ann Rheum Dis. 78(6):736-745. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215089Gill L, Zarbo A, Isedeh P, Jacobsen G, Lim HW, Hamzavi I.Comorbid autoimmune diseases in patients with vitiligo: A cross-sectional study.J Am Acad Dermatol. 74(2):295-302. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.08.063
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Vitiligo.Boggs W forThe Rheumatologist.Autoimmune diseases common in patients with vitiligo.Levandowski CB, Mailloux CM, Ferrara TM, et al.NLRP1 haplotypes associated with vitiligo and autoimmunity increase interleukin-1β processing via the NLRP1 inflammasome.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 110(8):2952-6. doi:10.1073/pnas.1222808110Lee H, Lee MH, Lee DY, et al.Prevalence of vitiligo and associated comorbidities in Korea.Yonsei Med J. 56(3):719-725. doi:10.3349/ymj.2015.56.3.719Spritz RA, Andersen GH.Genetics of vitiligo.Dermatol Clin. 35(2):245-255.doi:10.1016/j.det.2016.11.013Migayron L, Boniface K, Seneschal J.Vitiligo, From physiopathology to emerging treatments: A review.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 10(6):1185-1198.doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00447-yFanouriakis A, Kostopoulou M, Alunno A, et al.2019 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus.Ann Rheum Dis. 78(6):736-745. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215089Gill L, Zarbo A, Isedeh P, Jacobsen G, Lim HW, Hamzavi I.Comorbid autoimmune diseases in patients with vitiligo: A cross-sectional study.J Am Acad Dermatol. 74(2):295-302. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.08.063
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Vitiligo.Boggs W forThe Rheumatologist.Autoimmune diseases common in patients with vitiligo.Levandowski CB, Mailloux CM, Ferrara TM, et al.NLRP1 haplotypes associated with vitiligo and autoimmunity increase interleukin-1β processing via the NLRP1 inflammasome.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 110(8):2952-6. doi:10.1073/pnas.1222808110Lee H, Lee MH, Lee DY, et al.Prevalence of vitiligo and associated comorbidities in Korea.Yonsei Med J. 56(3):719-725. doi:10.3349/ymj.2015.56.3.719Spritz RA, Andersen GH.Genetics of vitiligo.Dermatol Clin. 35(2):245-255.doi:10.1016/j.det.2016.11.013Migayron L, Boniface K, Seneschal J.Vitiligo, From physiopathology to emerging treatments: A review.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 10(6):1185-1198.doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00447-yFanouriakis A, Kostopoulou M, Alunno A, et al.2019 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus.Ann Rheum Dis. 78(6):736-745. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215089Gill L, Zarbo A, Isedeh P, Jacobsen G, Lim HW, Hamzavi I.Comorbid autoimmune diseases in patients with vitiligo: A cross-sectional study.J Am Acad Dermatol. 74(2):295-302. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.08.063
MedlinePlus.Vitiligo.
Boggs W forThe Rheumatologist.Autoimmune diseases common in patients with vitiligo.
Levandowski CB, Mailloux CM, Ferrara TM, et al.NLRP1 haplotypes associated with vitiligo and autoimmunity increase interleukin-1β processing via the NLRP1 inflammasome.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 110(8):2952-6. doi:10.1073/pnas.1222808110
Lee H, Lee MH, Lee DY, et al.Prevalence of vitiligo and associated comorbidities in Korea.Yonsei Med J. 56(3):719-725. doi:10.3349/ymj.2015.56.3.719
Spritz RA, Andersen GH.Genetics of vitiligo.Dermatol Clin. 35(2):245-255.doi:10.1016/j.det.2016.11.013
Migayron L, Boniface K, Seneschal J.Vitiligo, From physiopathology to emerging treatments: A review.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 10(6):1185-1198.doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00447-y
Fanouriakis A, Kostopoulou M, Alunno A, et al.2019 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus.Ann Rheum Dis. 78(6):736-745. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215089
Gill L, Zarbo A, Isedeh P, Jacobsen G, Lim HW, Hamzavi I.Comorbid autoimmune diseases in patients with vitiligo: A cross-sectional study.J Am Acad Dermatol. 74(2):295-302. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.08.063
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