Your Eczema Isn’t Just Dry Skin: What Every Black Person Needs to Know!

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that affects people of all skin types. However, it can present differently on skin of color, leading to challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Understanding these differences is essential for improving care and ensuring patients of all backgrounds receive accurate treatment. What is Eczema? Eczema is characterized by: Itchiness: This is the hallmark symptom of eczema, often leading to scratching, which can further damage the skin. Dryness and irritation: Eczema compromises the skin’s barrier, making it prone to dryness, inflammation, and irritation. Rashes: These can vary in appearance and location, depending on age and skin type. Eczema can appear anywhere on the body, though it commonly affects the arms, legs, and face. “The itching itself causes people to scratch the skin, and depending on your age, eczema can present a little differently in various body locations. As a dermatologist — I treat both adult and pediatric patients — I’m able to see eczema manifest in different stages. Often, in infancy, we see it on the cheeks and the extensor surfaces, like the arms and legs. As kids get older, it tends to affect the areas in the creases, like the...