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Review
. 2023 Mar-Apr;50(2):107-114.
doi: 10.1097/WON.0000000000000960.

Assessment and Identification of Skin Disorders in Skin of Color: An Integrative Review

Kathleen F Francis  1
Affiliations
Review

Assessment and Identification of Skin Disorders in Skin of Color: An Integrative Review

Kathleen F Francis. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2023 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Skin assessment in patients with dark skin tones (DST) continues to be a challenge for many healthcare providers (HCP) because the visual cues are not always readily identified. For example, identification of early signs of pressure injury when subtle skin color changes are missed has the potential to cause harm and contribute to healthcare disparities. Appropriate wound management can begin only when the wound is correctly identified. For HCPs to identify early signs of skin conditions in DST patients, they must be provided education and effective tools enabling them to identify clinically relevant signs of skin damage in all patients. This article reviews basic anatomy of the skin; it focuses on differences seen in DST and reviews assessment strategies to assist the HCP to identify skin changes and conditions.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The author declares no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

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