Vitiligo occurs when cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning . Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but it may be more noticeable in people with brown or Black skin. The condition is not life-threatening or contagious. It can be stressful or make you feel bad about yourself. Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes your skin to lose its color or pigment. Learn about the types, symptoms, causes and treatment options for vitiligo from Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit academic medical center. Vitiligo , also called ‘leucoderma’, is a long-term (chronic) skin condition that causes an area of the skin to lose its colour (pigmentation). Melanocytes (the skin cells that make pigment) which results in the area looking white or pink in appearance. Overview Vitiligo (vit-ih-LIE-go) is a disease that causes loss of skin color in patches. The discolored areas usually get bigger with time. The condition can affect the skin on any part of the body. It can also affect hair and the inside of the mouth. Normally, the color of hair and skin is determined by melanin. Vitiligo occurs when cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning. Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but it may be more noticeable in people with brown or Black skin ...