What Is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition that causes loss of natural skin pigmentation, resulting in lighter or white patches on different parts of the body. It develops when melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells of the skin, are lost or stop functioning. Vitiligo is not contagious, is not caused by poor hygiene, and is not a fungal infection. Because several skin conditions can cause white or lighter patches, an accurate diagnosis by a dermatologist is important.