White spots or lighter patches on the skin can be surprising, especially when they appear without warning. Sometimes they are harmless and temporary, while in other cases they may be linked to a skin condition that needs medical attention. The important thing to remember is that white or light-colored patches do not automatically mean you have a vitamin deficiency or vitiligo. Several different conditions can cause changes in skin pigmentation, and they can look similar without a proper examination. Here are eight possible reasons you may notice white or lighter spots on your skin. 1. Vitiligo Vitiligo is one of the best-known causes of white patches on the skin. It happens when the skin loses melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Vitiligo can appear anywhere on the body, although the face, hands, feet, arms, and areas around body openings are commonly affected. The patches may begin as lighter areas and gradually become completely white. In some people, hair growing
