(BPT) - People with eczema understand that the dry, itchy rashes and inflamed skin are not just irritating, but can have serious negative effects on your daily life. Nearly 32 million people in the U.S. are affected by eczema, including people of all skin colors and ethnic backgrounds.
An online search for eczema symptoms will likely yield descriptions and photos highlighting bright red, bumpy patches on light skin. However, in people of color, the appearance of eczema varies a great deal. Eczema can be hard to identify in people of color, even by healthcare professionals, because inflammation may not appear red in darker skin. Instead, eczema can look dark brown, purple or ashen gray.
These differences can cause challenges for patients and healthcare providers in recognizing eczema, leading to a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.
Not diagnosing the condition promptly means people who need treatment aren't getting it when they need it most, as eczema treatment is more effective when it begins as early as possible.
The website — an in-depth resource for patients and providers alike — offers tips on identifying eczema and understanding treatment for the condition. Visual resources can assist doctors and patients in telling the difference between eczema and other diseases in skin of color.
"Allergists recognize that familiarity with how eczema appears in skin of color is essential in making a correct diagnosis and developing a treatment plan," says allergist James Tracy, DO, ACAAI President. Says Allergy & Asthma Network CEO Lynda Mitchell, "Together with ACAAI, we created EczemaInSkinofColor.org to help doctors and patients better recognize eczema on skin of color and distinguish it from other skin diseases. The website emphasizes a key message: healthy skin is possible for people of every skin tone."
What is eczema?
Eczema is a chronic, non-contagious skin condition that occurs due to skin inflammation. It causes a dry, inflamed and itchy rash. Studies show that people with skin of color are at a higher risk of getting eczema. They are also at risk for more severe symptoms.
Beyond discoloration, common symptoms across all skin colors include:
Itchy rash (often intense)
Swelling or inflammation of skin
Dry skin
Cracked or scaly patches
Skin that feels warm when touched
Open, oozing, weeping or crusty sores
More severe impacts, especially for children
Because symptoms are often more severe among people with skin of color, especially children, quick and correct diagnosis is vital. They may have more itchiness and inflammation and require higher doses of medications to get relief.
When eczema is persistent or uncontrolled, it can also lead to skin color changes or scarring. Skin discoloration may be more bothersome to people of color than the itch and inflammation, as it can cause severe anxiety and distress.
Black and Hispanic/Latino children tend to develop more intense cases compared to white children, and are more likely to miss school due to severe eczema. It's important to know that eczema in infants and young children often begins in the first months of life, and symptoms can look different on darker skin tones.
Diagnosing eczema early and identifying triggers can help parents find the right treatment for their baby or child.
Barriers to care
It's unclear what causes eczema, though experts believe genetic, environmental and socioeconomic factors are involved. For people with skin of color, social and economic factors can influence how and when they receive an eczema diagnosis and can also impact eczema treatment. Ongoing challenges for people with skin of color include:
fewer healthcare providers knowing how eczema appears on darker skin
healthcare providers underestimating eczema's severity for people of color
limited access to quality healthcare
Diagnosis and treatment
Symptoms on dark skin can be overlooked or misdiagnosed. For an accurate diagnosis of skin conditions like eczema, it's best to see a board-certified allergist or dermatologist. They are trained to diagnose and treat eczema in all skin tones.
Treatment includes using moisturizers to calm itchy and inflamed skin. If symptoms persist or worsen, topical ointments and creams are available, followed by more advanced medications if needed.
Learn more about recognizing and treating eczema for all skin colors at EczemaInSkinofColor.org.
