Is vitiligo Hereditary?
Even though these words are used interchangeably many times, there is a bit different in these that find the kind of the disease. Genetic diseases are those that occur either because of genetic mutation in the body or a certain gene defect or set of gene defects. Therefore, hereditary diseases are those that pass from each individual by their ancestors in the form of their genetic makeup. The genetic makeup of a person results in the development of several proteins that lead to genetic and physical changes in every individual. So, different changes in genes mean variant instructions and hence, slightly variant proteins.
Also, these resulting proteins seem and act differently in every person and few might affect the melanocytes, thus leading to vitiligo. However, there is no authentic evidence on what leads to vitiligo or how it occurs at any age, or in any gender. Therefore, it has been said that vitiligo “runs in families” which means it consists of a genetic basis to it but the inherited disease is multifactorial and consists of the interaction of various genes combines with multiple other causing factors. So, it cannot be said with 100 percent surety whether an individual with a family history of having vitiligo will occur in him/ or not.
Since each and everything is revolving around the genetic makeup of a person, it is safe to say that it is a phenomenon of genetics that is further stimulated by the stress, environmental factors, hormonal changes, UV rays, exposure to chemicals, and a history of having other autoimmune disease and so on. Researchers still do not find out if there is one genuine genetic sequence or gene that other individuals do not have. It is just the different changes of those same genes that occur in various types of vitiligo.
So, genes do play a major role in leading such disease since autoimmune diseases have an impact on mutation in genes and there is a detail of hereditary but it is still a complicated disease that does not support the regular pattern of hereditary compulsorily passing of through genes to genes. Vitiligo sometimes runs from family to family but the pattern of inheritance is complex because of the various causative factors included. Almost one-fifth of the population with such a condition has at least one close relative who has such disease. Vitiligo is one autoimmune disease and also a skin condition that occurs as smooth white areas on the skin.
When vitiligo occurs first, the patches normally appear on the forearms, face, feet, and hands. Therefore, as it progresses, it might spread to other larger areas. Research has shown that genetics also plays a major role in the progression of vitiligo. Experts did not reach the result until the 1950s, when two medical researchers reported that eight families had many members with vitiligo. The condition is considered a “complex inheritance” which means a component of genetics is involved. This means that two or more abnormal genes are involved in such kinds of diseases whereas hereditary conditions form because of only each abnormal gene. (10)