What skin disorder is associated with the presence of white patches on the skin?

The presence of white patches on the skin is characteristic of vitiligo. This disorder occurs when the melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing the pigment melanin, are destroyed or fail to function properly. As a result, areas of the skin lose their color, leading to the creation of distinct, depigmented patches. Vitiligo can affect any part of the body and is often more noticeable in individuals with darker skin tones.

In contrast, scleroderma primarily leads to skin thickening and hardening rather than loss of pigmentation. Psoriasis is characterized by red, scaly patches due to an overactive immune response and rapid skin cell turnover, not by white patches. Melasma is a condition marked by brown or gray-brown patches, typically on the face, often triggered by hormonal changes and sun exposure, rather than loss of color. Thus, vitiligo is the distinct disorder associated with the appearance of white patches on the skin.