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Levels of medical knowledge of cancers on darker skin can contribute to late diagnosis but our own perception could add to the issue.
Catching melanoma at an early stage is vital, although the problem is not restricted to skin cancers. The appearance of other conditions varies on different skin tones, as do individual beliefs on the likelihood of them appearing.
Dermatitis/Eczema is a classic case. A survey across mixed ethnicities suggested that around 20% of people believe you can’t have dermatitis on dark skin, with a further 45% believing the condition was less common.
The reality is the opposite, with dermatitis more common on black, or brown skin. Lack of recognition of the condition can lead to no treatment, or the wrong treatment and increase the risk of pigmentation problems.
Rosacea is another example, seen as occurring only on white skin, with a tendency to flush or blush being typical early symptoms. The condition is less common on darker skin but does occur, albeit with different signs.
Understanding Variation
To continue the example, rosacea on dark skin creates the same warm feeling but may bring a dusky brown discoloration, or patches of darker skin. Left untreated, rosacea on dark complexions can cause dryness, swelling, or thickening of the skin.
The dermatitis mentioned earlier may produce a pink, purple, or light rash, rather than the red rash generally seen on white skin. Recognising and treating the condition could prevent long lasting dark spots from developing.
There are equally conditions which tend to affect middle skin tones. Melasma is more likely to occur on brown than black, or fair skin. Even so, this can go unrecognised and be seen as other forms of hyperpigmentation.
Melasma requires a different treatment regime, as do a range of other issues which may not be understood. Accurate diagnosis matters across skin colours, including for any conditions which are more common on dark skin.
Allowing For Differences
Recognising common conditions on all skin types matters, as does dispelling beliefs that they don’t occur. There are still a few issues which tend to be restricted to dark skin, or at least significantly more prevalent.
A disease called acanthosis nigricans can bring thickening, or dark patches, often on your armpits, neck, or groin. Apart from being unsightly, this could be a sign of serious medical conditions, such as diabetes.
Acne keloidalis nuchae is not in a sense acne, other than in appearance. More a type of folliculitis which brings acne like inflammation on your neck, or lower scalp. Left untreated, this becomes unpleasant and can result in hair loss.
There are other conditions which are more common on dark skin, from further keloid issues, to sarcoidosis. They all share a need with problems that occur across skin colours, early diagnosis and sound treatment.
We mentioned common conditions but less prevalent diseases may be even less well recognised. Dermatology for darker skin is not so different from on any skin, except for being aware of possibilities, understanding how different symptoms can be.