My brother and I have vitiligo but my sister doesn't

[Guest Posts]

Why do I and my brother have it but our sister doesn't. I'm the oldest, brother youngest both of us diabetic type 1, He's had double transplant now. Are there any links to this. Thank you.

[Dr Anton Alexandroff]

Thank you very much for your question. The inheritance of the vitiligo is not completely understood and is thought to depend on a number of genes/factors. Vitiligo is somewhat more common in people with diabetes because both are autoimmune diseases. If one member of the family has vitiligo then another member has a higher chance to have vitiligo too.

I hope this is helpful.
With Best Wishes,

Dr Anton Alexandroff FRCP(UK) PhD CCT(Derm) FRSM FAAD
Consultant Dermatologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer
The British Skin Foundation Spokesperson
London, Cambridge, Leicester and Bedford

http://www.alexandroff.org.uk
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