Question: There is a pearlywhite patch of skin about the size of a silver dollar that showed up on my neck about 2 months ago. Looks kinda like a burn but it is not. It doesn't itch or burn and is smooth to the touch. What could it be? Cindy

Answer: Dear Cindy,

A white spot on the skin can be a symptom of vitiligo, a condition where skin loses melanin the pigment that colors the skin, hair and eyes.

Other symptoms of vitiligo include:

- Premature whitening of hair on the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard
- Color loss/change of the retina
- Color loss/chage of the inside of the mouth

Vitiligo can appear in any part of the body but the hands, feet, arms, face and lips are most common.

Other conditions can also cause pigmentation problems so visiting the dermatologist is always recommended.