Skin problems in people with dark skin
EBM Guidelines
Dec 18, 2023 • Latest change Mar 17, 2025
Table of contents
- Essentials
- Innocent findings (physiological pigment changes)
- Skin problems with a higher prevalence in people with dark skin
- Special features of dark skin in association with some common skin problems (examples)
- Lightening of the skin (hypopigmentation)
- Skin cancers
- Workup
- Treatment
- Specialist consultation
- References
Extract
- In dark-skinned people, a lot of physiological pigmentary changes are seen, and it is important to recognize their innocence.
- Some skin problems occur more frequently or exclusively in people with dark skin.
- Many common skin diseases can look different on dark skin, which can lead to delayed diagnosis or underestimation of severity.
- Due to natural sun protection (melanin), the prevalence of skin cancer is lower in people with dark skin, and both the localization and the clinical picture differ from those in people with white skin.
Search terms
Acne, Acne keloidalis nuchae, Cheloid, Dark, Dark skin, Dark-skinned, Dermatosis papulosa nigra, Hyperpigmentation, Hypomelanosis, Hypopigmentation, Keloid, Keloid scar, Keloidal scar, L81.0, L81.4, L81.5, L81.6, Linea negra, Melanonychia, Melasma, Mongolian spot, Nevus Ito, Nevus Ota, Pigment spot, Pityriasis alba, Pityriasis versicolor, Pseudofolliculitis barbae, Ringworm, Skin diseases, Tinea, Vitiligo