Skin Diseases Across Populations
- NOTOC**
Skin Diseases Across Populations
Human skin diseases occur in every population, but their frequency, appearance, severity, complications and treatment outcomes are not necessarily identical. Dermatological research increasingly shows that skin pigmentation, genetics, hair structure, climate, environmental exposure, cultural practices, socioeconomic conditions and access to health care can all influence patterns of skin disease.
Differences between populations should not be interpreted as simple biological divisions based on race. Race and ethnicity are imperfect proxies for a complex combination of ancestry, geography, pigmentation, environment, culture and social conditions. Individuals within the same racial or ethnic category can have widely different skin tones and disease risks.
One of the most important themes in modern dermatology is therefore the need to distinguish skin pigmentation from assumptions about ancestry while recognizing that some diseases, complications and health-care disparities disproportionately affect particular communities.
Skin Tone and the Appearance of Disease
Many dermatological diagnoses have historically been taught using photographs of light skin. This creates difficulties because inflammation, redness and other classic diagnostic signs may look substantially different in deeply pigmented skin.
Erythema, which is usually described as redness, may instead appear violet, gray, brown or only subtly darker than surrounding skin. Inflammation may consequently be underestimated if clinicians rely primarily on visible redness.
Pigmentation can also influence what remains after inflammation resolves. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may leave dark patches that persist much longer than the original acne, eczema, injury or other inflammatory condition. Hypopigmentation may similarly develop following inflammation or disease.
These differences have encouraged greater use of dermoscopy, improved photography, objective skin-color measurements and other diagnostic techniques that depend less on subjective visual descriptions.
Traditional systems such as the Fitzpatrick skin-type scale have also been criticized because they may combine skin pigmentation with assumptions about sun sensitivity. Modern approaches increasingly emphasize measuring pigmentation and ultraviolet response independently.
Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis and Other Inflammatory Diseases
Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is one of the most extensively studied examples of how dermatological disease can vary among populations.
Eczema in darker skin may display papular, lichenoid, violaceous or strongly pigmentary changes rather than the bright red appearance frequently illustrated in textbooks. These variations can complicate diagnosis and assessment of disease severity.
Research has also reported differences among populations in eczema prevalence, skin-barrier characteristics, immune responses and health-care utilization. Environmental exposures, socioeconomic conditions and access to specialty care can contribute alongside biological factors.
Psoriasis likewise affects people of every skin tone. In darker skin, plaques may appear violaceous, gray or dark brown rather than distinctly red. Pigmentary changes can remain after active plaques disappear.
Studies of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis have also highlighted inadequate representation of some racial and ethnic populations in clinical trials. Poor representation can make it difficult to determine whether treatment evidence applies equally across populations.
Hidradenitis suppurativa, prurigo nodularis, seborrheic dermatitis and chronic pruritus are additional inflammatory disorders for which differences in prevalence, clinical appearance or disease burden have been reported.
Acne and Pigmentary Disorders
Acne is extremely common across human populations, but its consequences may differ according to pigmentation.
For many people with darker skin, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can be as troublesome as the active acne itself. Treatment therefore often requires controlling inflammation while minimizing irritation that could cause additional pigmentation.
Retinoids, hydroquinone, chemical peels, lasers and other treatments can improve hyperpigmentation, but aggressive procedures may occasionally worsen discoloration. Treatment strategies consequently need to account for both the underlying disease and the patient's response to inflammation.
Other pigmentary disorders receiving increasing attention include melasma, lichen planus pigmentosus, progressive macular hypomelanosis and disorders involving partial or complete pigment loss.
Vitiligo occurs across populations but can be particularly visually prominent when affected areas contrast strongly with surrounding deeply pigmented skin. Research from different societies demonstrates that the condition can have substantial psychological and social consequences, including stigma and social exclusion.
The burden of a pigmentation disorder therefore cannot always be measured simply by the physical area of skin involved.
Hair and Scalp Disorders
Hair structure and hair-care practices can influence dermatological conditions, making culturally informed care especially important.
Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, or CCCA, is a scarring hair-loss disorder reported predominantly among women of African descent. Research has examined possible contributions from genetics, inflammatory pathways, hairstyling practices, metabolic conditions and environmental influences.
Because CCCA destroys hair follicles, delayed diagnosis can result in permanent hair loss.
Traction alopecia can develop when repeated tension is applied to the hair. Tight braids, extensions, weaves and other styles can contribute when they place prolonged stress on follicles. Early recognition and changes in hairstyling may help prevent permanent damage.
Pseudofolliculitis barbae is another condition closely connected with hair structure. Curved hairs can re-enter the skin after shaving, producing inflammation, ingrown hairs, pigmentation and sometimes scarring. It is particularly common among people whose facial hair is tightly curled.
Dermatological care of hair and scalp disease therefore benefits from knowledge of hair texture, grooming practices and cultural traditions rather than treating hair simply as an isolated biological feature.
Autoimmune and Systemic Diseases
Several autoimmune diseases produce skin manifestations that may appear differently across skin tones or occur at different frequencies among populations.
Cutaneous lupus can cause inflammation, pigmentary changes, scarring and permanent hair loss. Studies have reported substantial burdens of discoid lupus and associated skin damage among Black patients.
Dermatomyositis can likewise be more difficult to identify when educational materials emphasize characteristic redness on light skin. Studies of medical images have found inadequate representation of darker skin in materials used to teach recognition of dermatomyositis.
Autoimmune blistering diseases such as pemphigus and pemphigoid can also differ substantially in incidence among populations. Research comparing ethnic groups living in the same geographic regions suggests that genetic susceptibility may contribute to some of these differences.
Sarcoidosis is another systemic disease with important dermatological manifestations. Cutaneous forms vary widely in appearance, and the disease has been reported more frequently among some populations, including people of African ancestry.
Infectious and Tropical Skin Diseases
Patterns of infectious skin disease are strongly affected by geography, climate, living conditions and access to health care.
Fungal infections such as tinea capitis show substantial population differences in some studies. These patterns may reflect exposure, household transmission, hair-care practices, socioeconomic conditions and other environmental factors rather than ancestry alone.
Leishmaniasis, leprosy, scabies and many bacterial, viral and fungal infections are particularly important in global dermatology. Their distribution often corresponds more closely to ecology, poverty, migration and health-system capacity than to skin color.
Indigenous communities can face elevated burdens of infectious and inflammatory skin disease when populations experience inadequate water supplies, sanitation problems, overcrowding, environmental disruption or limited access to medical services.
Refugees and migrants may similarly experience skin disease related to overcrowding, interrupted health care, occupational exposure, climate changes and conditions encountered during displacement. Dermatological health in migrant populations therefore illustrates the close relationship between skin disease and broader social conditions.
Skin Cancer and Population Differences
Skin cancer occurs in people of every skin tone, although incidence, typical anatomical locations and relative risks differ substantially.
Melanin provides some protection against ultraviolet radiation, and many common ultraviolet-associated cancers occur less frequently in people with deeply pigmented skin. Lower incidence, however, does not mean absence of risk.
Melanoma in people with darker skin is sometimes diagnosed at a later stage. Acral melanoma, which occurs on palms, soles and around nails, represents an important diagnostic concern because it can develop in areas receiving comparatively little ultraviolet exposure.
Research has also identified population differences in outcomes for melanoma and other skin malignancies. Delayed recognition, differences in access to dermatologists, disease biology and socioeconomic factors may all contribute.
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, a rare skin cancer, has been reported at higher incidence among Black populations in United States cancer registries.
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, including mycosis fungoides, is another malignancy in which studies have identified differences in presentation and outcomes among racial and ethnic populations.
Albinism and Skin Cancer
Albinism provides one of the clearest examples of the relationship between pigmentation and ultraviolet susceptibility.
People with oculocutaneous albinism have greatly reduced melanin protection. In areas with intense ultraviolet radiation, particularly parts of sub-Saharan Africa, this creates a substantial lifetime risk of actinic damage and skin cancer.
Studies from African countries have documented high rates of squamous cell carcinoma and other ultraviolet-associated malignancies among people with albinism. Cancers may occur at relatively young ages and can become advanced when access to prevention, screening and treatment is limited.
Photoprotective clothing, hats, sunscreen, education, regular skin examinations and timely treatment of precancerous lesions can substantially reduce this burden.
The experience of people with albinism demonstrates how biology, geography, poverty and health-care access can interact to determine disease risk.
Children and Skin Disease
Children with different skin tones can develop the same broad range of dermatological diseases, including eczema, acne, impetigo, scabies, fungal infections and pigmentary disorders.
However, childhood skin disease may have different appearances in darker skin. Eczema, inflammatory disorders and infections can be overlooked when clinicians have been trained primarily with images of light-skinned patients.
Hair disorders, traction alopecia, tinea capitis and pigmentary conditions are also important components of pediatric dermatology in diverse populations.
Research has identified disparities in diagnosis, referrals, specialist access and medical-resource representation. Improving pediatric dermatology therefore requires both better clinical training and attention to socioeconomic and structural barriers.
Dermatology Education and Representation
A recurring concern in dermatology is the historical underrepresentation of dark skin in medical textbooks, journals, examination materials and educational resources.
Multiple studies have found that clinical images disproportionately depict lighter skin. This can reduce clinician confidence and make recognition of disease in darker skin more difficult.
Efforts to diversify medical curricula have shown that exposure to broader collections of clinical images can improve students' confidence in diagnosing dermatological disease across skin tones.
Representation is also important in clinical research. Trials that fail to report participant skin color, race or ethnicity make it difficult to determine whether study findings apply equally across populations.
The goal is not to create entirely separate systems of dermatology for different racial groups. Rather, medical education should demonstrate how the same diseases may appear across the full range of human skin pigmentation.
Artificial Intelligence and Diagnostic Bias
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being developed to identify skin diseases from photographs.
These systems offer potential benefits, including improved diagnostic support and wider access to dermatological expertise. However, their reliability depends heavily on the images and patient populations used for training.
Studies have demonstrated that some dermatology AI systems perform less accurately on darker skin or uncommon diseases. If training data disproportionately represent light skin, automated diagnostic tools can reproduce or amplify existing inequalities.
Researchers are developing more diverse image datasets and methods designed to reduce skin-tone bias. AI therefore has the potential either to narrow dermatological disparities or reinforce them, depending on how systems are developed and evaluated.
Health Disparities and Access to Care
Differences in dermatological outcomes cannot be explained by pigmentation or genetics alone.
Insurance coverage, income, geographic location, specialist availability, medical education, language, cultural practices, occupational exposure and trust in the health-care system can all influence whether a skin condition is recognized and treated.
Black, Indigenous, migrant and other historically underserved populations may experience delayed diagnosis or reduced access to dermatologists. Geographic isolation can be especially important for Indigenous and rural communities.
Environmental conditions also influence dermatological health. Climate change, heat, air pollution, ultraviolet exposure, flooding and wildfire smoke may worsen certain skin diseases, while communities with fewer resources can face greater difficulty adapting to these hazards.
Understanding skin disease across populations therefore requires combining dermatology with public health, environmental science and the social determinants of health.
Moving Beyond Race-Based Dermatology
Population differences remain important for clinical medicine, but broad racial categories can conceal enormous diversity.
Two people classified within the same racial group may differ greatly in pigmentation, ancestry, environmental exposure and health risks. Conversely, people from different ethnic backgrounds may have similar skin pigmentation and similar dermatological responses.
More precise research increasingly attempts to separate measurable characteristics such as pigmentation, hair morphology, genetic variants, ultraviolet response and environmental exposure from broad racial labels.
This approach can preserve clinically useful information about population differences without assuming that socially constructed racial categories represent fixed biological divisions.
Conclusion
Skin disease reflects the extraordinary diversity of human biology and human environments. Pigmentation can alter the appearance and consequences of inflammation, hair structure can influence scalp disease, genetic variation can affect susceptibility to particular disorders, and ultraviolet exposure can dramatically alter cancer risk.
At the same time, many of the largest differences in dermatological health arise from social circumstances rather than biology alone. Access to specialists, representation in medical education, environmental conditions, migration, poverty and the availability of preventive care can substantially alter disease outcomes.
Modern dermatology is therefore moving toward a more inclusive model that recognizes variation across skin tones and populations while avoiding simplistic assumptions about race.
Improved clinical imagery, representative research populations, culturally informed treatment, objective measures of skin characteristics and carefully validated artificial-intelligence systems can make diagnosis more accurate for everyone.
Understanding skin diseases across populations ultimately demonstrates a broader principle of medicine: human biological variation matters, but it must be interpreted together with environment, culture and social conditions rather than reduced to racial categories alone.
- TOC**
Broad Reviews and Cross-Population Dermatology
1. Skin diseases and conditions in darker skin tones | American Academy of Dermatology | AAD | Current
Patient-oriented collection describing conditions that may occur more frequently, more severely, or with distinctive appearances in people with darker skin tones.
2. International Expert Consensus on Defining Skin of Color and Delivering Equitable Dermatologic Care | International expert panel | PubMed-indexed consensus | 2025
Examines limitations of skin-color classification, research gaps, clinical-trial representation, medical education, and strategies for more equitable dermatologic care.
3. Dermatology in black skin | Multiple authors | Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia | 2024
Reviews structural and clinical characteristics of darker skin and conditions reported more commonly or distinctively, including dyschromia, eczema, dermatophytosis, keloids, and hair disorders.
4. Common Dermatologic Conditions in Skin of Color | Winfred Taylor Frazier, Sanketh Proddutur and Kayley Swope | American Family Physician | 2023
Reviews post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, keloids, dermatosis papulosa nigra, pseudofolliculitis barbae, acne keloidalis nuchae, and related diagnostic and treatment considerations.
5. Skin of colour: essentials for the non-dermatologist | Multiple authors | Clinical Medicine | 2023
Explains how inflammation and common dermatologic diseases can appear differently in darker skin and identifies conditions physicians should recognize across skin tones.
6. Dermatologic conditions in skin of color compared to white patients: similarities, differences, and special considerations | Multiple authors | Springer review | 2022
Compares acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and other common conditions across skin tones, emphasizing differences in appearance and management.
7. Skin care shouldn’t be colorblind | Jennifer Lin | Harvard Health Publishing | 2020
Explains why erythema, rashes, inflammation, and other dermatologic findings can appear differently across skin tones and why this matters for diagnosis.
8. Common conditions in skin of color | Ali Hadi and Nada Elbuluk | Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery | 2016
Provides a clinical overview of common conditions whose prevalence, appearance, complications, or treatment considerations can differ in patients with more deeply pigmented skin.
9. Epidemiology of skin diseases in ethnic populations | Susan C. Taylor | Dermatologic Clinics | 2003
Reviews patterns of acne, eczema, infections, pigment disorders, alopecia, keloids, and other dermatologic conditions among Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American populations.
10. Epidemiology of skin diseases in people of color | Susan C. Taylor | Cutis | 2003
Surveys common dermatologic diagnoses across populations of color, including acne, dermatitis, bacterial and fungal infections, and disorders of pigmentation.
11. Ethnic skin disorders overview | Rebat M. Halder and Pavan K. Nootheti | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2003
Reviews differences in the presentation and treatment of acne, pigmentary disorders, vitiligo, melasma, and photoaging in Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations.
Health Disparities, Diagnosis, AI, Education and Representation
12. Reducing skin tone bias in dermatology AI via sketch-guided multimodal fusion | Muhammad Nasir, Muhammad Zeeshan Tahir and Shaohua Kevin Zhou | Scientific Reports | 2026
Tests an AI method designed to reduce skin-tone-related diagnostic disparities without requiring explicit skin-tone labels during training.
13. Evaluating skin tone bias in multimodal large language models for autoimmune and immune-mediated skin diseases | Arjun Mahajan et al. | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2026
Evaluates whether multimodal AI systems diagnose autoimmune and immune-mediated skin diseases consistently across different skin tones.
14. Diagnostic Disparities in Erythema Visibility: A Call to Redefine Inflammatory Assessment in Diverse Skin Tones | Multiple authors | Cureus | 2025
Examines how reliance on visible redness can underestimate inflammation in deeply pigmented skin and discusses more objective methods for assessing erythema.
15. Diversifying Skin Tone Representation in Medical School Dermatology Curriculum | Devin Barzallo et al. | Medical Science Educator | 2025
Finds that increasing skin-of-color images in a medical curriculum was associated with greater confidence in diagnosing dermatologic conditions.
16. Deep learning-aided decision support for diagnosis of skin disease across skin tones | Matthew Groh et al. | Nature Medicine | 2024
Tests physicians and artificial-intelligence decision support across dozens of skin diseases and demonstrates persistent diagnostic differences between lighter and darker skin.
17. Diagnosing Disorders of Facial Erythema | Chiamaka Ohanenye, Sumayah Taliaferro and Valerie D. Callender | Dermatologic Clinics | 2023
Reviews rosacea, acne, lupus, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and other causes of facial inflammation whose redness may be less apparent in darker skin.
18. Skin of color in dermatopathology: does color matter? | Kyle A. Williams et al. | Dermatologic Clinics | 2023
Reviews histopathologic differences and diagnostic issues involving conditions that are common or clinically distinctive in patients with skin of color.
19. Optimisation of skin phototype classification | Multiple authors | Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine | 2023
Critiques limitations of the Fitzpatrick system, particularly its conflation of pigmentation and photosensitivity and its poor representation of deeply pigmented skin.
20. Climate Change, Skin Health, and Dermatologic Disease: A Guide for the Dermatologist | Multiple authors | American Journal of Clinical Dermatology | 2023
Reviews how heat, pollution, ultraviolet radiation, flooding, wildfire, and other climate exposures affect skin diseases, with greater burdens often falling on marginalized populations.
21. Racial/ethnic health disparities in dermatology in the United States, part 1: Overview of contributing factors and management strategies | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2022
Reviews access to dermatologic care, workforce diversity, implicit bias, insurance, medical education, teledermatology, patient education, and research participation as contributors to racial and ethnic disparities.
22. Racial and ethnic health disparities in dermatology in the United States, part 2: Disease-specific epidemiology, characteristics, management, and outcomes | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2022
Examines population differences in melanoma, basal and squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, lymphoma, acne, psoriasis, eczema, hidradenitis suppurativa, and rosacea.
23. Disparities in dermatology AI performance on a diverse, curated clinical image set | Roxana Daneshjou et al. | Science Advances | 2022
Introduces the Diverse Dermatology Images dataset and shows that major dermatology AI systems performed less reliably on dark skin and uncommon diseases.
24. Gaps in medical education curricula on skin of color in medical school, residency, and beyond: Part 1 | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2022
Reviews deficiencies in teaching dermatologic disease on darker skin and links inadequate educational representation with delayed or missed diagnoses.
25. Skin of Color in Preclinical Medical Education: A Cross-Institutional Comparison and A Call to Action | Multiple authors | Academic Medicine | 2022
Compares dermatology teaching materials at several medical schools and finds underrepresentation of patients with darker skin.
26. Improving Representation of Skin of Color in a Medical School Preclerkship Dermatology Curriculum | Multiple authors | Medical Science Educator | 2022
Reports that adding diverse clinical photographs and discussion improved student exposure and confidence in identifying disease in darker skin.
27. Skin Tone Representation in Dermatology Textbooks: Approximating the Gap | Laurie Temiz et al. | Journal of Drugs in Dermatology | 2022
Evaluates representation of darker skin in dermatologic surgery and cosmetic-treatment sections of major textbooks.
28. The Progression of Skin Color Diversity and Representation in Dermatology Textbooks | Abrahim Abduelmula, Edgar Akuffo-Addo and Marissa Joseph | Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery | 2022
Examines whether representation of diverse skin tones in dermatology textbooks has improved over time.
29. Racial disparities in the management of skin ulcers: an analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 2012–2018 | Multiple authors | Journal of Dermatological Treatment | 2022
Reports racial differences in examinations, physician care, procedures, and management of skin ulcers in U.S. outpatient practice.
30. Skin of color representation in medical education: An analysis of popular preparatory materials used for United States Medical Licensing Examinations | Virginia A. Jones et al. | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2021
Evaluates skin-tone representation in widely used medical licensing examination preparation resources.
31. Skin of color lacks representation in medical student resources: A cross-sectional study | Katherine L. Perlman et al. | International Journal of Women's Dermatology | 2021
Documents limited representation of darker skin tones in commonly used medical-school dermatology resources.
32. Diversity in Dermatology? An Assessment of Undergraduate Medical Education | Multiple authors | Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery | 2021
Examines skin-tone representation in dermatology curricula and student confidence in recognizing diseases on different skin tones.
33. Photographic representation of skin tones in three dermatology journals | Brittainy Hereford et al. | Pediatric Dermatology | 2021
Finds that dark skin constituted only a small percentage of clinical images in three major dermatology journals used for education.
Atopic Dermatitis, Eczema, Contact Dermatitis and Allergic Disease
34. The association of race and ethnicity with patch test results: North American Contact Dermatitis Group data, 2007–2020 | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2026
Finds differences in patch-test reactions among population groups that may partly reflect differing occupational, cosmetic, and cultural exposures.
35. Exploring the link between atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis in patients with skin of color: a scoping review | Janelle R. Mallett and Camilla M. Lee | International Journal of Women's Dermatology | 2026
Investigates whether contact allergy contributes to eczema burden and severity in patients with skin of color.
36. Clinical Characteristics of Atopic Dermatitis Across Racial and Ethnic Groups: A Systematic Review | Darshana Seeburruth et al. | Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery | 2025
Systematically reviews differences reported in the clinical characteristics of atopic dermatitis among racial and ethnic populations.
37. Special Considerations of Atopic Dermatitis in Skin of Color | Multiple authors | Springer | 2024
Discusses clinical phenotypes, environmental and social influences, access to care, research representation, and management considerations in diverse populations.
38. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis | Multiple authors | PubMed-indexed study | 2024
Reports differences in emergency-department and primary-care utilization among pediatric racial and ethnic groups with atopic dermatitis.
39. Diagnosis of Allergic Dermatoses in Skin of Color | Angelica Nazarian and Andrew F. Alexis | Current Allergy and Asthma Reports | 2024
Reviews differences in allergic dermatoses, allergens, erythema, and patch-test interpretation among patients with darker skin.
40. Examining racial and ethnic disparities in diagnosis and access to care in infantile atopic dermatitis in the USA | Sarah E. Servattalab et al. | British Journal of Dermatology | 2024
Evaluates racial and ethnic differences in eczema diagnosis and access to dermatologic care during infancy.
41. Atopic dermatitis in skin of colour. Part 1: new discoveries in epidemiology and pathogenesis | Multiple authors | British Journal of Dermatology | 2023
Reviews epidemiology, skin-barrier biology, immune pathways, and proposed disease endotypes in African, Asian, and European-ancestry populations.
42. Diagnosing Atopic Dermatitis in Skin of Color | Multiple authors | Dermatologic Clinics | 2023
Reviews papular, lichenoid, dyspigmented, and other presentations that can complicate recognition and severity assessment of eczema in darker skin.
43. The Clinical Diversity of Atopic Dermatitis | Karishma Daftary and Raj Chovatiya | Cutis | 2023
Examines variation in eczema phenotypes while cautioning that race, ethnicity, pigmentation, environmental exposure, and socioeconomic factors should not be conflated.
44. Diagnosis, assessment and management of atopic dermatitis in children with skin of colour | Multiple authors | Australian Journal of General Practice | 2023
Describes pediatric eczema presentations including papular, lichenoid, hypopigmented, violaceous, and psoriasiform patterns that can complicate diagnosis.
45. Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Patch Testing in Skin of Color Patients | Anuk Burli et al. | Dermatitis | 2023
Reviews allergens reported among Black, Hispanic, Asian, and other populations and discusses difficulties interpreting patch tests in pigmented skin.
46. Dermatology: how to manage atopic dermatitis in patients with skin of colour | M. Sachdeva and M. Joseph | Drugs in Context | 2022
Discusses epidemiology, clinical appearance, pathophysiology, treatment, and the historical underrepresentation of non-White patients in atopic-dermatitis research.
47. American Contact Dermatitis Society Position Statement: Dermatitis and Skin of Color | Chidubem A. V. Okeke et al. | Dermatitis | 2022
Provides professional guidance on improving diagnosis, patch testing, research, and care of contact dermatitis across skin tones.
48. Patch testing results in skin of color: A retrospective review from the Massachusetts General Hospital contact dermatitis clinic | Cristina M. Foschi et al. | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2022
Examines allergen sensitization patterns in patients of color referred to a major contact-dermatitis center.
49. Update on Contact Dermatitis and Patch Testing in Patients With Skin of Color | Imara Scott, Amber Reck Atwater and Margo Reeder | Cutis | 2021
Discusses differences in allergen exposure, clinical morphology, patch testing, geographic access, and socioeconomic factors.
50. Patch testing in skin of color: A brief report | Shant Tamazian, Michelle Oboite and James R. Treat | Pediatric Dermatology | 2021
Uses pediatric cases to demonstrate how positive patch-test reactions can look different when erythema is less conspicuous.
51. Racial differences in atopic dermatitis | Patrick M. Brunner and Emma Guttman-Yassky | Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology | 2019
Reviews differences in prevalence, clinical features, immunology, and skin-barrier characteristics reported among populations with atopic dermatitis.
52. Racial and ethnic differences in health care utilization for childhood eczema | Alexander H. Fischer et al. | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2017
Examines racial and ethnic differences in outpatient visits, dermatology use, and prescriptions among U.S. children with eczema.
Psoriasis, Clinical Trials and Treatment Representation
53. Psoriasis in People With Skin of Color: An Evidence-Based Update | Multiple authors | International Journal of Dermatology | 2025
Reviews recent evidence on psoriasis epidemiology, severity, quality of life, therapeutic access, and research gaps in populations with skin of color.
54. Response to Biologic Therapy in Skin of Colour Participants With Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis | Multiple authors | Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery | 2024
Systematically evaluates phase-three biologic-treatment outcomes reported for participants with skin of color in psoriasis and atopic-dermatitis trials.
55. Dermatology: how to manage psoriasis and recognize differences in patients with skin of colour | Multiple authors | Drugs in Context | 2022
Reviews differences in presentation, epidemiology, genetic findings, and treatment evidence while emphasizing limited representation in many clinical trials.
56. Racial and ethnic diversity of US participants in clinical trials for acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis | Anjana Sevagamoorthy et al. | Journal of Dermatological Treatment | 2022
Finds substantial underreporting of race and ethnicity and uneven representation among U.S. dermatology clinical trials.
57. Psoriasis in Skin of Color: Insights into Epidemiology, Clinical Presentation, Genetics, Quality-of-Life Impact, and Treatment | Multiple authors | American Journal of Clinical Dermatology | 2018
Reviews prevalence, morphology, genetics, quality-of-life burden, and treatment considerations for psoriasis among non-White populations.
Acne and Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
58. Practical Therapeutic Strategies for Acne-Induced Hyperpigmentation Across all Skin Types | Multiple authors | American Journal of Clinical Dermatology | 2026
Reviews acne-induced hyperpigmentation and erythema, major risk factors, diagnosis, treatment strategies, and considerations for more deeply pigmented skin.
59. Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation in Skin of Color: Emerging Therapies and Treatment Algorithms | Multiple authors | PubMed-indexed review | 2026
Reviews topical, systemic, and procedural approaches to persistent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, focusing on evidence relevant to diverse darker skin types.
60. Clinical and Dermoscopic Characteristics of Facial Hyperpigmentation Disorders in Skin of Color | M. Mansilla-Polo et al. | Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas | 2026
Reviews dermoscopic and clinical features of melasma, PIH, lichen planus pigmentosus, ochronosis, Riehl melanosis, and other facial pigmentary disorders.
61. Pigmentary Disorders in Skin of Color: Histopathologic Overview | Miguel A. Aristizabal-Torres, Oluwakemi Onajin and Olayemi Sokumbi | Dermatologic Clinics | 2026
Reviews histopathology and differential diagnosis of hyperpigmenting and hypopigmenting conditions in patients with skin of color.
62. Treatment of Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation in Skin of Colour: A Systematic Review | Kristie Mar et al. | Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery | 2024
Synthesizes evidence for retinoids, lasers, hydroquinone, chemical peels, and other therapies in patients with skin of color.
63. Treatment recommendations for acne-associated hyperpigmentation | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2023
Uses a literature review and expert Delphi process to develop treatment recommendations for acne-associated macular hyperpigmentation.
64. Diagnosing Disorders of Hypopigmentation and Depigmentation in Patients with Skin of Color | Multiple authors | Dermatologic Clinics | 2023
Reviews the differential diagnosis of light and depigmented lesions and discusses examination, Wood's lamp evaluation, and biopsy.
65. Effects of Topical Retinoids on Acne and Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation in Patients with Skin of Color | Valerie D. Callender et al. | American Journal of Clinical Dermatology | 2022
Reviews retinoid treatment for acne and associated hyperpigmentation, including ways to reduce irritation and improve pigmentary outcomes.
66. Management of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in skin of color: A short review | Multiple authors | Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology | 2022
Reviews therapeutic choices and the possibility that irritating procedures or treatments can themselves worsen pigmentation.
67. Racial/Ethnic Variations in Acne: Implications for Treatment and Skin Care Recommendations | Multiple authors | Journal of Drugs in Dermatology | 2021
Presents expert consensus concerning acne morphology, sequelae, patient expectations, treatment, and skin-care considerations across populations of color.
68. Facial Hyperpigmentation in Skin of Color: Special Considerations and Treatment | Multiple authors | American Journal of Clinical Dermatology | 2017
Reviews common causes of facial hyperpigmentation and the diagnostic and therapeutic considerations involved in treating darker skin.
69. Acne in patients with skin of color: practical management | Natalie C. Yin and Amy J. McMichael | American Journal of Clinical Dermatology | 2014
Reviews acne treatment with particular attention to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, keloidal scarring, irritation, retinoids, and procedural therapies.
70. Comparison of the epidemiology of acne vulgaris among Caucasian, Asian, Continental Indian and African American women | Multiple authors | Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology | 2011
Compares acne prevalence, lesion patterns, scarring, pigmentation, sebum production, and other features among women from several population groups.
71. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment options in skin of color | Erica C. Davis and Valerie D. Callender | Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology | 2010
Foundational review of the mechanisms, epidemiology, clinical appearance, prevention, and management of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
72. Acne vulgaris in skin of color | Susan C. Taylor et al. | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2002
Reviews clinical and histologic characteristics of acne in patients with darker skin and discusses therapeutic implications.
Pigmentary Disease, Photodermatoses, Vitiligo and Scarring
73. Laser Therapy for Lichen Planus Pigmentosus and Erythema Dyschromicum Perstans: A Systematic Review | Nawar Tarafdar, Marissa Joseph and Chaocheng Liu | Dermatologic Surgery | 2026
Reviews laser therapies for two persistent pigmentary disorders that disproportionately affect people with darker skin.
74. Reporting of skin colour in randomized controlled trials on vitiligo: A systematic review | Meghna Varambally et al. | Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology | 2026
Evaluates whether vitiligo trials adequately report skin color, race, and ethnicity when assessing therapies.
75. The Association Between Race/Ethnicity and Keloid Formation: A Network Meta-Analysis | Multiple authors | PubMed-indexed review | 2026
Quantitatively compares keloid prevalence across racial and ethnic populations using data from hundreds of thousands of patients.
76. Cosmetic Procedures for Treating Lichen Planus Pigmentosus: A Review | Udokama Ezekwe et al. | Journal of Drugs in Dermatology | 2026
Assesses procedural therapies for a pigmentary disorder occurring predominantly in darker-skinned populations.
77. Objective Assessment and Quantification of Skin Color and Melanin in Neonates and Infants: A State-Of-The-Art Review | Megha Sharma et al. | Pediatric Dermatology | 2025
Reviews objective measurement of neonatal and infant pigmentation, potentially improving comparison of dermatologic findings across populations.
78. Impact of Vitiligo on Quality of Life in Patients of Skin of Color and Its Correlation With Clinical Severity Assessment Scores | Guneet Awal et al. | Dermatology Practical & Conceptual | 2024
Examines relationships between vitiligo severity and quality-of-life burden in patients with darker skin.
79. Natural History of Keloids: A Sociodemographic Analysis Using Structured and Unstructured Data | Multiple authors | Dermatology and Therapy | 2024
Examines keloid number, size, severity, race, ethnicity, education, and income in a large clinical population.
80. Gender, racial, ethnic, and Fitzpatrick skin type representation in acanthosis nigricans clinical trials | Multiple authors | PubMed-indexed study | 2024
Finds poor race and ethnicity reporting in acanthosis nigricans trials despite the disorder's disproportionate burden in some populations.
81. Demographics and clinical presentations of 844 patients with light and dark skin types with polymorphous light eruption and chronic actinic dermatitis evaluated over 23 years | Multiple authors | Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine | 2023
Compares large groups with lighter and darker skin and finds important population differences in PMLE and chronic actinic dermatitis.
82. Radiation-induced skin changes after breast or chest wall irradiation in patients with breast cancer and skin of color: a systematic review | Juhi M. Purswani et al. | Clinical Breast Cancer | 2023
Reviews radiation dermatitis, pigmentation changes, and measurement methods in breast-cancer patients with skin of color.
83. Photoprotection in skin of color | Multiple authors | Current Dermatology Reports | 2022
Reviews ultraviolet and visible-light effects in darker skin and the importance of photoprotection for hyperpigmentation and other photosensitive conditions.
84. A Delphi consensus on the nomenclature and diagnosis of lichen planus pigmentosus and related entities | Multiple authors | Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology | 2022
Develops international consensus terminology for acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation disorders.
85. Photodermatoses in skin of colour | Multiple authors | Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology | 2018
Reviews photoallergic, phototoxic, autoimmune, inherited, and idiopathic photosensitive disorders in darker skin.
86. Lichen Planus Pigmentosus: The Controversial Consensus | Multiple authors | Indian Journal of Dermatology | 2016
Reviews lichen planus pigmentosus, its relationship to erythema dyschromicum perstans, and its occurrence in India, Latin America, the Middle East, Korea, and Japan.
87. Comparison of photodermatoses in African-Americans and Caucasians: a follow-up study | Multiple authors | Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine | 2014
Reports differing distributions of polymorphous light eruption, phototoxicity, porphyrias, and related photodermatoses.
88. Pinpoint papular polymorphous light eruption in Asian skin: a variant in darker-skinned individuals | Lynn Chiam et al. | Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine | 2009
Examines this PMLE variant among Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Cambodian patients with Fitzpatrick IV–V skin.
89. Progressive macular hypomelanosis: an overview | Multiple authors | American Journal of Clinical Dermatology | 2007
Reviews a frequently misdiagnosed hypopigmentary disorder reported especially among young people with darker skin and tropical backgrounds.
90. Polymorphous light eruption in African Americans: pinpoint papular variant | Multiple authors | Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine | 2002
Describes a distinctive pinpoint papular form of PMLE observed in African American patients with dark skin phototypes.
Vitiligo, Lichen Planus, Rosacea, Hidradenitis and Pruritus
91. Cross-Cultural Beliefs and Stigmatization in Vitiligo: A Systematic Review | Multiple authors | PubMed-indexed systematic review | 2026
Examines cultural beliefs, stigma, social exclusion, psychological effects, health literacy, and quality-of-life consequences of vitiligo across societies.
92. Exploring the Experience of Black Americans Living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the United States Healthcare System | Multiple authors | Dermatology and Therapy | 2025
Reviews disease burden, diagnostic delays, access to specialist care, and structural and socioeconomic factors affecting Black Americans with hidradenitis suppurativa.
93. Diagnosis and management of prurigo nodularis in skin of color patients | Multiple authors | Dermatologic Clinics | 2025
Reviews recognition, work-up, comorbidities, and management of prurigo nodularis, a condition reported disproportionately among people of African descent.
94. Oral lichen planus-like lesions in skin of color: a review | Dipankar De et al. | International Journal of Dermatology | 2024
Reviews oral lichenoid disorders and their differential diagnosis in patients with skin of color.
95. Management of dermatosis papulosa nigra: a systematic review | Multiple authors | International Journal of Dermatology | 2024
Reviews excision, curettage, electrodesiccation, cryotherapy, topical approaches, and laser treatment for dermatosis papulosa nigra.
96. A Systematic Review on the Treatment of Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra | Jalal Maghfour and Temitayo Ogunleye | Journal of Drugs in Dermatology | 2021
Examines published treatment evidence for a common benign papular condition frequently encountered in darker skin.
97. Hidradenitis suppurativa in skin of colour | Multiple authors | Experimental Dermatology | 2021
Reviews hidradenitis suppurativa in populations with skin of color and identifies major gaps in international research and representation.
98. Rosacea in skin of color: A comprehensive review | Rashmi Sarkar, Indrashis Podder and Soumya Jagadeesan | Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology | 2020
Reviews rosacea in darker skin, including diagnostic difficulty when erythema and telangiectasia are less visually conspicuous.
99. Pruritus in Black Skin: Unique Molecular Characteristics and Clinical Features | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2020
Reviews chronic itch, skin-barrier characteristics, atopic dermatitis, prurigo nodularis, HIV-associated dermatoses, and other causes of pruritus.
100. Seborrheic Dermatitis in Skin of Color: Clinical Considerations | May Elgash et al. | Journal of Drugs in Dermatology | 2019
Describes hypopigmented, scaly, and petaloid presentations and discusses hair-care considerations that can influence management.
101. Global epidemiology and clinical spectrum of rosacea, highlighting skin of color | Multiple authors | International Journal of Dermatology | 2019
Reviews global patterns of rosacea and argues that disease in populations with darker skin may be underrecognized and underreported.
102. Lichen planus pigmentosus and its variants: review and update | Multiple authors | International Journal of Dermatology | 2018
Reviews lichen planus pigmentosus, a disorder particularly relevant to darker skin, including clinical variants, possible triggers, and diagnostic considerations.
103. Quality of life in patients with vitiligo: an analysis of the Dermatology Life Quality Index | Multiple authors | International Journal of Dermatology | 2016
Reviews international evidence on the psychosocial burden of vitiligo, including effects related to visible lesions, age, sex, culture, and skin tone.
Hair, Scalp and Shaving Disorders
104. Pathogenic variants affecting peptidyl arginine deiminase 3 and its major substrates underlie central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia | Multiple authors | Journal of Investigative Dermatology | 2026
Expands genetic evidence implicating PADI3 and related pathways in CCCA, a scarring alopecia primarily affecting women of African descent.
105. Risk factors and comorbidities associated with central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia | Multiple authors | International Journal of Women's Dermatology | 2023
Systematically reviews evidence concerning hairstyling, metabolic conditions, pregnancy, age, genetics, and other proposed CCCA associations.
106. Hair and scalp disorders in adult and pediatric patients with skin of color | Susan C. Taylor et al. | Cutis | 2017
Reviews hair and scalp disorders affecting adults and children of African descent and emphasizes culturally informed diagnosis and treatment.
107. Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia: challenges and solutions | Ingrid Herskovitz and Mariya Miteva | Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology | 2016
Reviews diagnosis, dermoscopy, biopsy, possible genetic susceptibility, hairstyling exposures, and available treatment approaches.
108. All hairstyles are not created equal: black hairstyling practices and the risk of traction alopecia | Alessandra Haskin and Crystal Aguh | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2016
Reviews styling practices associated with traction and discusses opportunities for prevention and early intervention.
109. Hair loss in patients with skin of color | Multiple authors | Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery | 2015
Reviews CCCA, traction alopecia, lupus-related hair loss, seborrheic dermatitis, breakage, and other causes of alopecia in patients with skin of color.
110. Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia: what has been achieved, current clues for future research | Temitayo A. Ogunleye, Amy McMichael and Elise A. Olsen | Dermatologic Clinics | 2014
Reviews epidemiology and research questions surrounding CCCA, an important scarring alopecia most frequently described in women of African descent.
111. Autosomal dominant inheritance of central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia in black South Africans | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2014
Family studies suggest an inherited component to CCCA in addition to environmental and hairstyling influences.
112. Hair and scalp disorders in women of African descent: an overview | A. Salam, S. Aryiku and O. E. Dadzie | British Journal of Dermatology | 2013
Reviews afro-textured hair, grooming practices, and the recognition and management of common hair and scalp disorders.
113. Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia: an approach to diagnosis and management | Multiple authors | International Journal of Dermatology | 2011
Discusses differential diagnosis, irreversible scarring, possible contributing factors, and approaches to slowing progression.
114. Medical and environmental risk factors for the development of central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia: a population study | Angela Kyei et al. | Archives of Dermatology | 2011
Population study of African American women evaluates diabetes, scalp infection, traction hairstyles, and other potential CCCA risk factors.
115. Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia: retrospective chart review | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2010
Examines clinical history, family history, grooming practices, and associated conditions among predominantly Black women with CCCA.
116. Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia: past, present, and future | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2009
Reviews the historical evolution of CCCA terminology and research concerning hair structure, grooming practices, inflammation, and pathogenesis.
117. Determinants of marginal traction alopecia in African girls and women | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2008
Studies hairstyling and chemical-treatment factors associated with traction alopecia among hundreds of African girls and women.
118. Medical and surgical therapies for alopecias in black women | Valerie D. Callender, Amy J. McMichael and George F. Cohen | Dermatologic Therapy | 2004
Reviews traction alopecia, hair breakage, CCCA, and medical and surgical approaches to hair loss in Black women.
119. Ethnic hair update: past and present | Amy J. McMichael | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2003
Reviews hair structure, grooming practices, pigmentation changes, inflammation, and scarring scalp disorders among African American patients.
120. Defining pseudofolliculitis barbae in 2001: a review of the literature and current trends | Patricia K. Perry et al. | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2002
Reviews the relationship between tightly curled hair, shaving, inflammation, ingrown hairs, hyperpigmentation, and scarring.
Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disease
121. Dermatology images: Clinical presentations of autoimmune bullous disorders in skin of color | Sophia Manduca et al. | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2026
Illustrates pemphigus, pemphigoid, and related immunobullous diseases across more deeply pigmented skin.
122. Subtype and Racial Erythema Variation for Cutaneous Lupus Trials | Multiple authors | JAMA Dermatology | 2025
Shows that erythema-based eligibility requirements can disproportionately exclude Black patients from cutaneous-lupus clinical trials.
123. Distinctive clinical features are found in dermatomyositis patients with skin of color | Michelle Lee et al. | Archives of Dermatological Research | 2024
Identifies clinical features of dermatomyositis that differ between patients with lighter and darker skin.
124. Collagen Vascular Diseases: Cutaneous and Systemic Lupus, Dermatomyositis, and Distinguishing Features in Skin of Color | Multiple authors | Dermatologic Clinics | 2023
Reviews lupus and dermatomyositis presentations, diagnostic clues, pigmentary consequences, and management considerations in patients with skin of color.
125. Cutaneous Sarcoidosis in Skin of Color | Jessica R. Williams, Cheri Frey and George F. Cohen | Journal of Drugs in Dermatology | 2023
Discusses the varied morphology of cutaneous sarcoidosis and its importance in populations in which sarcoidosis is more common.
126. Racial disparities in skin tone representation of dermatomyositis rashes: a systematic review | Sofia Babool et al. | Rheumatology | 2022
Finds major underrepresentation of darker skin tones in textbook and online images used to teach recognition of dermatomyositis rashes.
127. Discoid lupus erythematosus skin lesion distribution and characteristics in Black patients: a retrospective cohort study | Multiple authors | Lupus Science & Medicine | 2021
Reports greater dyspigmentation, scalp and ear involvement, and scarring alopecia among Black patients with discoid lupus.
128. Racial Disparities in the Incidence of Primary Chronic Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus in the Southeastern US | Cristina Drenkard et al. | Arthritis Care & Research | 2019
Georgia Lupus Registry data found substantial population differences in incidence of chronic cutaneous and discoid lupus.
129. Remarkable differences in the epidemiology of pemphigus among two ethnic populations in the same geographic region | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2017
Finds substantial differences in pemphigus incidence between Jewish and Arab populations living in the same geographic region.
130. The Inpatient Burden of Autoimmune Blistering Disease in US Children | Ziyou Ren et al. | American Journal of Clinical Dermatology | 2017
Finds demographic differences in pediatric pemphigus, pemphigoid, and other autoimmune blistering disorders in U.S. hospitalization data.
131. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus in skin of color | Wallace Nozile, Cheri N. Adgerson and George F. Cohen | Journal of Drugs in Dermatology | 2015
Reviews cutaneous lupus with attention to discoid disease, scarring, post-inflammatory pigmentation, and clinical considerations in darker skin.
132. The impact of skin damage due to cutaneous lupus on quality of life | Multiple authors | British Journal of Dermatology | 2014
Finds population differences in discoid lupus, scarring, and dyspigmentation, including greater early skin damage among African American patients.
133. Sarcoidosis: Are there differences in your skin of color patients? | Candrice R. Heath, Jennifer David and Susan C. Taylor | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2012
Reviews cutaneous sarcoidosis morphology, systemic involvement, prognosis, and patterns reported more frequently in Black patients.
134. Ethnicity and race and systemic sclerosis: susceptibility, severity, antibody genetics, and clinical manifestations | John D. Reveille | Current Rheumatology Reports | 2003
Reviews differences reported in systemic sclerosis prevalence, age of onset, skin involvement, autoantibodies, pulmonary disease, and prognosis among several populations.
Asian, Latino, South Asian and Indigenous Populations
135. Prevalence and Characteristics of North American Indigenous Inflammatory Skin Disease | Rachel Asiniwasis et al. | International Journal of Dermatology | 2026
Reviews atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, clinical-trial representation, and evidence gaps affecting Indigenous peoples in Canada and the United States.
136. Dermatology care for Indigenous communities | Raquel Lazarowitz et al. | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2026
Discusses improving dermatologic care for Indigenous communities and addressing geographic, structural, educational, and access-related barriers.
137. Skin diseases in Asian individuals that you do not want to miss | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2022
Reviews conditions specific to or relatively more frequently described in Asian populations, including pigmentary, inflammatory, lymphoproliferative, and vascular disorders.
138. Skin diseases in indigenous population: Xingu Indigenous Park and review of the literature | Jenifer S. A. Wu et al. | International Journal of Dermatology | 2017
Examines infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic, and other dermatologic diagnoses among Indigenous communities in Brazil's Xingu Indigenous Park.
139. Dermatology in the North American Indian/Alaska Native population | Maria S. Kryatova and Ginette A. Okoye | International Journal of Dermatology | 2016
Reviews malignancies, photodermatoses, acanthosis nigricans, connective-tissue disease, infections, scarring, and access-to-care issues among AI/AN populations.
140. A survey of skin conditions and concerns in South Asian Americans | Sejal K. Shah et al. | Journal of Drugs in Dermatology | 2011
Community survey identifies acne, eczema, fungal infections, hair loss, dry skin, uneven tone, and dark spots as frequent concerns.
141. Cutaneous diseases in Asians | Chai Sue Lee and Henry W. Lim | Dermatologic Clinics | 2003
Reviews atopic dermatitis, melasma, psoriasis, skin cancer, nevi, amyloidosis, and other dermatologic patterns reported among Asian populations.
142. Cutaneous diseases in Latinos | Miguel R. Sanchez | Dermatologic Clinics | 2003
Reviews available evidence on dermatologic conditions among Latino populations while emphasizing the limited research distinguishing diverse Latino backgrounds.
143. Cutaneous diseases in Native Americans | Raymond L. Cornelison Jr. | Dermatologic Clinics | 2003
Reviews the limited literature on skin disease among Native American populations, including actinic prurigo and other conditions requiring additional study.
Migrants, Refugees and Displaced Populations
144. Infectious Dermatological Conditions Among Refugee and Immigrant Populations: A Systematic Review | Olivia M. Burke et al. | International Journal of Dermatology | 2026
Synthesizes evidence on fungal disease, leprosy, leishmaniasis, scabies, viral and bacterial disease, and other infections among displaced and migrant populations.
145. Dermatologic Care and Skin Health of Migrant Populations in the US: A Scoping Review | Multiple authors | JAMA Dermatology | 2025
Reviews infections, inflammatory disease, wounds, neoplasms, pigmentary conditions, occupational exposures, migration experiences, and structural barriers affecting U.S. migrants.
146. Challenges of Managing Skin Diseases in Refugees and Migrants | Multiple authors | Dermatologic Clinics | 2021
Reviews dermatologic and sexually transmitted infections, screening approaches, health-care barriers, and social determinants affecting migrants and displaced populations.
147. Addressing the challenges to skin health of refugees and migrants in the WHO European region | Multiple authors | Tropical Medicine & International Health | 2021
Reviews skin-disease burden, migration-related exposures, barriers to treatment, and opportunities to strengthen dermatologic care for migrants and refugees.
148. Skin diseases in displaced populations: contributing factors, challenges, and approaches to care | Alexia P. Knapp, Wingfield Rehmus and Aileen Y. Chang | International Journal of Dermatology | 2020
Reviews overcrowding, sanitation, environmental exposure, food insecurity, violence, interrupted health systems, and other determinants of skin disease among displaced people.
Pediatric Dermatology in Skin of Color
149. Trends in Pediatric Representation Within Skin of Color Dermatology Literature: A Decade-Long Analysis | Evelyn Fagan et al. | Pediatric Dermatology | 2026
Tracks representation of children with skin of color in dermatology research from 2013 through 2023.
150. Dermatological Diseases in Indigenous Children and Adolescents in Polycrisis: A Scoping Review | Ana María Valencia-Castaño, Ana María Vargas-Gallego and Felipe Agudelo-Hernández | Pediatric Dermatology | 2026
Links infectious and inflammatory skin disease among Indigenous young people with water access, sanitation, overcrowding, poverty, environmental exposure, and health-care barriers.
151. Healthy skin for children and young people with skin of colour starts with clinician knowledge and recognition | Multiple authors | Lancet Child & Adolescent Health | 2025
Reviews pediatric impetigo, scabies, lice, tinea, eczema, and acne while examining diagnostic education and social determinants of skin health.
152. Exploring Pediatric Dermatology in Skin of Color: Focus on Dermoscopy | Multiple authors | PubMed-indexed review | 2025
Reviews dermoscopic findings in nevi, infections, infestations, inflammatory diseases, hair disorders, and vascular lesions in children with darker skin.
153. Pediatric Dermatology for People of Color | Muayad M. Shahin, Henry T. Quach and Kalyani S. Marathe | Pediatric Annals | 2024
Provides an overview of diagnosis and treatment considerations for common childhood dermatologic disorders across diverse skin tones.
154. Features of Common Skin Disorders in Pediatric Patients with Skin of Color | Uchenna K. Okoji, Nnenna G. Agim and Candrice R. Heath | Dermatologic Clinics | 2022
Reviews pediatric diseases that may occur more frequently or present differently in children with more deeply pigmented skin.
155. Most common pediatric skin conditions managed in outpatient dermatology clinics stratified by race and ethnicity | Multiple authors | Pediatric Dermatology | 2021
Uses U.S. outpatient data to compare commonly diagnosed conditions, including acne, dermatitis, dermatophytosis, impetigo, seborrheic dermatitis, and pigment disorders.
156. Emerging issues in pediatric skin of color, Part 1 | Multiple authors | Pediatric Dermatology | 2021
Reviews traction alopecia, CCCA, lupus, vitiligo, tinea capitis, progressive macular hypomelanosis, and other important issues in pediatric skin of color.
157. A systematic scoping review of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic health disparities in pediatric dermatology | Alyce Kuo et al. | Pediatric Dermatology | 2021
Synthesizes evidence on racial, ethnic, insurance, income, geographic, and socioeconomic inequalities affecting childhood skin disease.
158. Emerging issues in pediatric skin of color, Part 2 | Krystal N. Mitchell et al. | Pediatric Dermatology | 2021
Reviews dermatologic issues affecting children from Asian, African, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, and other backgrounds.
159. Assessment of published literature regarding skin of color in Pediatric Dermatology | Mary D. Sun et al. | Pediatric Dermatology | 2021
Measures the proportion of pediatric dermatology literature specifically addressing skin of color and identifies opportunities for improvement.
160. Common Skin Disorders in Pediatric Skin of Color | Mayra B. C. Maymone et al. | Journal of Pediatric Health Care | 2019
Reviews acne, eczema, pityriasis alba, tinea versicolor, progressive macular hypomelanosis, traction alopecia, and other common pediatric conditions.
Infectious and Tropical Skin Disease
161. Cutaneous leishmaniasis: 2026 guidelines for diagnosis and treatment | R. Blaizot et al. | Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie | 2026
Provides updated guidance for a geographically diverse parasitic skin disease whose presentation and species distribution vary widely by region.
162. Laboratory and functional tests in leprosy diagnosis: a practical guide for clinical decision-making | Multiple authors | PubMed-indexed review | 2026
Reviews skin smears, histopathology, nerve testing, molecular methods, and other tools for diagnosing leprosy across its clinical spectrum.
163. Race and ethnicity: Risk factors for fungal infections? | Jeffrey D. Jenks et al. | PLOS Pathogens | 2023
Reviews fungal infection disparities while distinguishing ancestry-related biology from environmental exposure, underlying disease, health-care access, and social determinants.
164. The prevalence of infections with Trichophyton tonsurans in schoolchildren: the CAPITIS study | Multiple authors | Pediatrics | 2010
Large metropolitan surveillance study finds substantial population differences in scalp dermatophyte infection among schoolchildren.
165. Tinea capitis in Cleveland: survey of elementary school students | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2003
School screening found substantial Trichophyton tonsurans carriage and infection, with African American children heavily represented among positive cultures.
166. Tinea capitis in California children: a population-based study of a growing epidemic | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 1997
Population data show markedly higher rates of tinea capitis treatment among African American children compared with several other groups.
Drug Reactions and Severe Cutaneous Disease
167. Generalized fixed drug eruptions in skin of color | Arshpreet Grewal, Susan Pei and Drew Kuraitis | International Journal of Women's Dermatology | 2025
Demonstrates hyperpigmented and violaceous manifestations of generalized fixed drug eruptions on darker skin.
168. Epidemiology of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in the United States and factors predictive of outcome | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2023
Uses national hospitalization data to examine demographic characteristics, mortality, comorbidities, and changes in SJS/TEN incidence.
169. Fixed Drug Eruption: An Underrecognized Cutaneous Manifestation of a Drug Reaction in the Primary Care Setting | Multiple authors | Cureus | 2022
Describes a fixed drug eruption in an African American patient and illustrates how lesions may be mistaken for insect bites or other conditions.
170. Morbidity and Mortality of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in United States Adults | Multiple authors | Journal of Investigative Dermatology | 2016
National hospitalization data show higher SJS/TEN representation among Asian and Black patients and quantify mortality, hospital stays, and costs.
171. Racial disparities in the risk of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis as urate-lowering drug adverse events in the United States | Multiple authors | Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism | 2016
Finds substantially higher hospitalization risk for SJS/TEN related to urate-lowering drugs among Asian and Black patients.
Skin Cancer, Cutaneous Lymphoma and Albinism
172. Finding skin cancer in darker skin tones | American Academy of Dermatology | AAD | Current
Explains that skin cancer occurs in all skin tones and describes warning signs and locations that deserve attention in darker skin.
173. Skin cancer and actinic keratosis in people with albinism: a systematic review and meta-analysis | Multiple authors | PubMed-indexed systematic review | 2026
Estimates pooled prevalence of actinic keratosis and skin cancer among people with albinism.
174. Skin Cancers in People With Albinism: An Overview and Review of Literature | Multiple authors | PubMed-indexed review | 2025
Reviews more than one thousand reported cancers in people with albinism and shows particularly high burdens of squamous cell carcinoma in Africa.
175. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in skin of colour: a review | Multiple authors | British Journal of Dermatology | 2024
Reviews differences in incidence, subtype, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes among Black, Asian-Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and other populations.
176. Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma: A Clinical Review | Preeti Kakani and Jeremy Davis | Skinmed | 2024
Reviews evidence concerning racial and ethnic disparities in presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
177. Skin color reporting in basal cell carcinoma-related randomized controlled trials in top dermatology journals: a systematic review | Multiple authors | Archives of Dermatological Research | 2024
Finds that many basal-cell-carcinoma trials fail to report participant skin color, limiting assessment of treatment applicability across populations.
178. The epidemiology of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans incidence, metastasis, and death among various population groups | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2024
U.S. cancer-registry analysis reports a substantially higher incidence of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans among Black compared with White patients.
179. Cutaneous lymphomas in African American/Black patients: pitfalls and presentations | Pauline Flaum-Dunoyer, Sarah J. Noor and Patricia L. Myskowski | International Journal of Dermatology | 2023
Highlights diagnostic challenges and distinctive presentations of cutaneous lymphomas in darker skin.
180. Melanoma in skin of color: Part I. Epidemiology and clinical presentation | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2023
Reviews acral and mucosal melanoma, anatomic distribution, dermoscopic findings, stage at diagnosis, and survival patterns among people with skin of color.
181. Skin Cancer in People of Color: A Systematic Review | Multiple authors | American Journal of Clinical Dermatology | 2022
Synthesizes hundreds of studies concerning incidence, risk factors, presentation, histopathology, treatment, and survival across diverse populations.
182. Racial Differences in the Prognosis and Survival of Cutaneous Melanoma From 1990 to 2020 in North America: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | Multiple authors | Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery | 2022
Finds poorer overall and melanoma-specific survival among several racial and ethnic minority populations, particularly Black patients.
183. Prevalence of Squamous and Basal Cell Carcinomas in African Albino Skin Cancer Lesions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | Nnaemeka T. Onyishi and Samuel R. Ohayi | Dermatology Research and Practice | 2022
Finds squamous cell carcinoma to be the predominant histologically confirmed skin cancer in pooled studies of African people with albinism.
184. Primary cutaneous malignancies in nonalbino and albino Africans | Multiple authors | International Journal of Dermatology | 2021
Compares cancer type, age, and anatomic distribution between African patients with and without albinism.
185. Patterns of skin cancer and treatment outcomes for patients with albinism at Kisangani Clinic, Democratic Republic of Congo | Multiple authors | International Journal of Dermatology | 2020
Examines age, risk factors, cancer type, presentation, and outcomes among people with albinism receiving care in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
186. Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Cutaneous Melanoma in Skin of Color Patients | Multiple authors | Dermatologic Clinics | 2019
Reviews epidemiology, clinical characteristics, risk factors, knowledge gaps, and outcome disparities for major skin cancers in people of color.
187. Clinical Presentations of Melanoma in African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians | Multiple authors | Dermatologic Surgery | 2019
Reviews demographic, clinical, anatomic, and genetic characteristics of melanoma reported among African American, Hispanic, and Asian patients.
188. People with albinism in Africa: contending with skin cancer | Esther Nakkazi | The Lancet | 2019
Discusses the preventable burden of ultraviolet-related skin cancer among people with albinism in Africa and the importance of screening, photoprotection, and access to treatment.
189. Racial disparity in mycosis fungoides: an analysis of 4,495 cases | Multiple authors | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2017
Uses a large U.S. cancer database to examine survival differences in mycosis fungoides after accounting for disease and socioeconomic variables.
190. Common malignant cutaneous conditions among albinos in Kenya | Multiple authors | Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran | 2017
Studies actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and sun damage among people with albinism treated in Kenya.
191. Incidence and Survival of Primary Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans in the United States | Multiple authors | Dermatologic Surgery | 2016
Large population study finds DFSP incidence nearly twice as high among Black patients as White patients.
192. Oculocutaneous Albinism and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin of the Head and Neck in Sub-Saharan Africa | Multiple authors | Journal of Skin Cancer | 2015
Reviews the particularly high risk of aggressive ultraviolet-associated squamous cell carcinoma among people with albinism in sub-Saharan Africa.
193. Skin cancer and photoprotection in people of color: a review and recommendations for physicians and the public | Oma N. Agbai et al. | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2014
Reviews photoprotection, skin-cancer awareness, ultraviolet exposure, pigmentation, and prevention considerations in populations of color.
194. Histological review of skin cancers in African Albinos: a 10-year retrospective review | Samson Kimaiyo Kiprono, Baraka Michael Chaula and Helmut Beltraminelli | BMC Cancer | 2014
Reviews the histology and distribution of skin cancers among African people with albinism living near the equator.
195. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in skin of color | Ginette A. Hinds and Peter Heald | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | 2009
Reviews clinical appearance, differential diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment response, and evidence of racial variation in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
196. Albinism and skin cancer in Southern Africa | Multiple authors | Clinical Genetics | 1989
Early population study demonstrates substantial skin-cancer risk among Black South Africans with albinism and identifies ultraviolet exposure as a major factor.
