moisturizers, soaps, detergents, and other products that contain added fragrances. My goal is for all the products that come in contact with my skin to be bland and mild and contain as few ingredients as possible.”
Spotting eczema in Black skin
Eczema presents differently in darker skin, which often causes it to get overlooked. Eczema in darker skin typically has a dark brown or purplish appearance.
Here’s what you should know about eczema in Black skin:
1. It may look like little bumps instead of a rash.
Follicular eczema frequently occurs in people with darker skin.
“Follicular eczema doesn’t really look like a rash; instead, it looks like goosebumps or small bumps around hair follicles throughout different areas of the body, including the back, abdomen, thighs, and chest. As a dermatologist, a lot of parents bring their kids into my office wondering why their kid’s skin is so dry and bumpy,” Dr. Rodney notes. “The skin in these patients may not even be itchy, but it lets me know that they may have eczema and we should practice very gentle skin care with them to reduce the risk of a visible flare.”
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2. You might see dark spots on your skin.
Inflammation causes the melanocytes, or the cells that make skin color, to become overactive. This results in dark spots (hyperpigmentation), which is common in melanin-rich skin.
“When the discoloration persists even after the eczema calms down, we call it post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It can last for months or even years and can be really distressing to people, which is why it’s so important to treat eczema early before a flare gets severe and causes a ton of inflammation,” Dr. Rodney says.
While waiting out hyperpigmentation is important, Dr. Rodney also advises protecting your skin from the sun, which can worsen dark spots.
“I like to use a broad-spectrum, mineral sunscreen all over my skin, including on my arms and legs. Sunlight can penetrate through many types of clothing, so even when you think an area might be protected, it’s still a good idea to wear sunscreen,” she shares.
You should also avoid scratching to reduce inflammation and prevent further discoloration.
Keeping your skin healthy
Even with treatment, your eczema may not completely disappear. However, the key to effective eczema management is to keep your skin healthy.
“It’s equally important to adopt lifestyle changes and to understand that, at baseline, most people with eczema have super dry and sensitive skin, even when the eczema isn’t flaring. I want people to understand that there are things you can do every day—good days, medium days, and bad days—to keep your skin looking and feeling its best,” Dr. Rodney concludes.