Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a pigment disorder in which the colouring of the skin is disturbed - the melanocytes (cells which give skin its colour) are no longer able to make melanin. This creates patches of whitish skin - either a couple of small ones or covering large parts of the body - which are extremely prone to sunburn. The hair on the affected area is usually white too. The actual cause is not known, although it sometimes happens after a physical trauma or alongside another disease such as diabetes or thyroid problems.
Vitiligo has been linked to a deficiency in stomach acid (HCl) production, so supplementing this with each meal may help. Some people find that taking B complex vitamins, vitamin C and zinc help improve the condition.