Causes of Vitiligo

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Skin colour is caused by pigment cells called melanocytes, and in the areas of vitiligo these are absent. The reason remains unknown, but it seems likely that the body's immune system is involved.

People with vitiligo often have pigment abnormalities in the retinas in their eyes and in their inner ears. Most have antibodies (substances produced by the bodyâ€™s immune system to combat invasion from outside) to pigment cells circulating in their bloodstream.

There are also associations with other diseases in which the bodyâ€™s immune mechanism works against its own tissues (auto-immune disorders), eg thyroid disease.