What skin condition is characterized by milk-white patches?

The skin condition characterized by milk-white patches is vitiligo. This condition causes the skin to lose its pigment, resulting in white patches that can appear on various parts of the body. The depigmentation occurs because of the destruction of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, which gives skin its color. Vitiligo can be hereditary and may be triggered by various factors, including stress and skin damage.

In contrast, scar tissue refers to fibrous tissue that forms after an injury and does not typically present as milk-white patches. Melasma is a pigmentation disorder that results in brown or gray-brown patches, usually on the face, and is often linked to hormonal changes, particularly in women. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that leads to red, scaly patches on the skin rather than white patches, and it is associated with an increased rate of skin cell turnover. Thus, vitiligo distinctly stands out because of its characteristic milk-white patches on the skin.