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Vitiligo is primarily characterized by the appearance of white patches of skin due to the loss of melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for producing pigment in the skin. This condition is caused by an autoimmune response that mistakenly attacks the melanocytes, leading to a lack of melanin in those specific areas. The distinct white patches can occur anywhere on the body and are most noticeable in individuals with darker skin tones. This lack of pigmentation can vary in size and shape, forming random patterns on the skin.

Other symptoms like redness, dryness, or rash are not specific features of vitiligo and do not typically define this condition, which is fundamentally about the loss of skin color rather than the presence of inflammation or irritation.