News - 12 Dec `22Study Suggests Chemical Exposure May Contribute to Vitiligo Occurrence

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New research suggests that exposure to phenols and catechols raising the risk of vitiligo onset by 4 times. The study conducted at the University of Sfax in Tunisia indicated the following risk factors for vitiligo:

  • household chemical use
  • hair dye
  • colored toothpaste
  • residence close to pollution 

The research team also added that patients with a repeated history of antibiotic use showed a 5.1 fold increase in vitiligo risk, and that occupational chemical exposures to phenol/catechol derivatives were found to be significantly associated.

The study, “Role of chemical exposure in the incidence of vitiligo: a case–control study in Tunisia,” was published in the Libyan Journal of Medicine on November 26, 2022.

Read more in our FAQ: What causes vitiligo?