Diagnosis of depigmented patches typically involves a combination of patient history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Nursing professionals should:
Take a detailed history, including the onset, duration, and progression of the patches. Conduct a thorough skin examination to assess the location, size, and distribution of the patches. Consider Wood's lamp examination to differentiate between various causes of depigmentation. Recommend a biopsy or skin scraping if a fungal infection is suspected. Refer to a dermatologist for further evaluation if the diagnosis is unclear.