What it means
The cells that make skin color (melanocytes) are destroyed, most likely by an autoimmuneaw-toh-ih-MYOONDescribing a reaction in which the immune system attacks the body's own healthy cells and tissues.auto- selfimmune protected from diseaseFull entry process, leaving pale or white patches, often on the face, hands and around body openings. It is not contagious and does not hurt. It shows more on darker skin and can affect how people feel about how they look, and it is linked with other autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disease.
For the nurse
Teach sun protection, because the pale patches burn easily, and ask how the condition affects the client's body imageBOD-ee IM-ijHow a person sees, thinks and feels about their own body and its appearance and function.Full entry .
At a glance
| Spanish | vitíligo |
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Related terms
autoimmune
Describing a reaction in which the immune system attacks the body's own healthy cells and tissues.
body image
How a person sees, thinks and feels about their own body and its appearance and function.