A person with vitiligo is more likely to get lupus than someone without it. Vitiligo can also be a symptom of lupus.

People with vitiligo are more likely to have other autoimmune disorders than 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.

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’s genes. That refers to individual differences in the DNA you inherit from your parents. 

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. 

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).

The protein made by the NLRP1 gene is a key regulator of the immune system. It is especially important in the skin, where it helps start an immune response if an infection is sensed. Certain variations of the NLRP1 gene are much more common in people with certain autoimmune diseases, including:

  • Vitiligo
  • Lupus
  • Addison’s disease
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Systemic sclerosis

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.

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. 

One study found that a person with vitiligo was 20 times more likely to have lupus than someone who did not have vitiligo. Other studies have shown increased risk as well. 

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:

  • Hashimoto’s thyroid disease (causing hypothyroidism)
  • Graves’ thyroid disease (causing hyperthyroidism)
  • Pernicious anemia
  • Addison’s disease
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Scleroderma
  • Type 1 diabetes

Additionally, these autoimmune diseases seem to be more common in people with close relatives who have vitiligo.

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. 

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. 

Currently, treatment options for vitiligo are limited and often don’t work very well. Some options include:

  • Steroid creams applied to the skin
  • Other creams applied to the skin, such as Protopic (tacrolimus) or Opzelura (ruxolitinib)
  • Steroid drugs (like prednisone) taken by mouth
  • Light therapy

Scientists are actively working to find more effective treatments for the condition. 

If you have another autoimmune disease, such as lupus, 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:

  • Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)
  • Glucocorticoids like prednisone
  • Otrexup (PF), Xatmep, or Trexall (all methotrexate)
  • Imuran (azathioprine)
  • CellCept (mycophenolate; MMF)

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 Questions

  • Am I more likely to get an autoimmune disorder if I already have one?
  • Unfortunately, yes. Having an autoimmune disorder puts 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.
  • Is vitiligo a form of lupus?
  • 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.
  • What is the most common autoimmune disease in people with vitiligo?
  • Studies vary on this. However, autoimmune thyroid disease seems to be one of the most common. This could be Hashimoto’s thyroid disease, causing hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone). Or it might be Graves disease, causing hyperthyroidism (too little thyroid hormone).

Unfortunately, yes. Having an autoimmune disorder puts 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, causing hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone). Or it might be Graves disease, causing hyperthyroidism (too little thyroid hormone).