Segmental vitiligo, a subtype of vitiligo, is characterized by its early onset, rapid stabilization and unilateral distribution. The reported prevalence of segmental vitiligo ranges from 3·5% to 20·5% of all patients with vitiligo. In generalized vitiligo there is accumulating evidence for an autoimmune response against melanocyte self-antigens. In segmental vitiligo the underlying mechanism is still controversial.
Segmental vitiligo, the most common type of vitiligo, is thought to be an autoimmune condition. This means that your immune system (the body’s natural defence system) does not work properly.
Instead of attacking foreign cells, such as viruses, your immune system attacks your body’s own healthy cells and tissue.
If you have non-segmental vitiligo, your immune system destroys the melanocyte skin cells that make melanin.
Vitiligo is associated with other autoimmune conditions, such as an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
You may be at higher risk of developing non-segmental vitiligo if:
someone in your family has it – around 20% of people with vitiligo know another family member who has it
you have a family history of other autoimmune conditions – for example, one of your parents has pernicious anaemia (an autoimmune condition that affects your stomach)
you have another autoimmune condition
you have melanoma (a type of skin cancer) or cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (a type of cancer of the lymphatic system)
you have particular changes in your genes that are known to be linked to non-segmental vitiligo
