title: What are those white patches on my patient's skin?
abstract: Vitiligo is a skin disease that affects 1% of the population. Vitiliginous skin does not contain pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. This leaves the appearance of white patches on the skin, which can either be generalized or localized. It is important for dermatology nurses to understand the basic pathophysiology of vitiligo, the various treatment methods, how to protect vitiliginous skin, and the psychological impact of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Kaiser Hospital, Martinez, CA, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Engel
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy