Skip to main content

Diseases Among Black People

  • Chapter
Global Dermatology

Abstract

The dermatologic literature, while limited, has recognized the various presentations of skin disorders in black, white, and Asian skin. Although dermatologists rely on clinical appearance (i.e., the lesion’s morphology, color, location, etc.) to make a diagnosis, racial variations do exist. For example, unique skin disorders afflicting black skin have been documented both clinically and histologically. The diagnostic challenge, then, is in recognizing these unique diseases as well as the variations of the “classic” morphology of common maladies. In this chapter, we discuss (1) the normal histology of black skin, (2) the presentations of common skin diseases, (3) the normal variants seen, and (4) dermatoses more commonly seen in black skin.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Brauner GJ: Cutaneous Disease in Black Races. In: Moschella SL, Hurley HJ, eds. Dermatology, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1985:1904–1945.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Weigand DA, Haygood C, Gaylor J: Cell layers and density of negro and caucasian stratum corneum. J Invest Dermatol 1974; 62: 563–568.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Montagna W, Carlisle K: The architecture of black and white facial skin. J Am Acad Dermatol 1991; 24: 929–937.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Andersen KE, Maibach HI. Black and white human skin differences. J Am Acad Dermatol 1979; 1: 276–282.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. McLaurin CI: Cutaneous reaction patterns in blacks. Dermatol Clin 1988; 6: 353–362.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Kenney JA, Jr: Vitiligo. Dermatol Clin 1988; 6: 425–434.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. O’Farrell NM: Pityriasis alba. AMA Arch Dermatol 1956; 73: 376–377.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Martin RF, Lugo-Somolinos A, Sanchez JL: Clinicopathologic conference study on pityriasis alba. Bol Asoc Med PR 1990; 82: 463–465.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. McDonald CJ: Dermatologie problems in black skin. Prog Dermatol 1973; 7: 15–20.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Wentzell JM, Baughman RD: Pityriasis alba. In: Demis DJ, chief editor. Clinical Dermatology. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott, 1990: Unit 13–5.

    Google Scholar 

  11. McDonald CJ, Kelly AP: Dermatology of black skin. In: Demis DJ, chief editor. Clinical Dermatology. Philadelphia: Harper and Row, 1987: Unit 30–1.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Parsons JM: Pityriasis rosea update: 1986. J Am Acad Dermatol 1986; 15: 159–167.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Futcher PH: A peculiarity of pigmentation of the upper arm of negroes [letter]. Science 1938; 88: 570–571.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. James WD, Carter JM, Rodman OG. Pigmentary demarcation lines: a population survey.J Am Acad Dermatol 1987; 16: 584–590.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Monash S: Normal pigmentation in the nails of the Negro. Arch Dermatol Syphilol 1932; 25: 876–878.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Brauner GJ: Keratosis puncta [letter]. Arch Dermatol 1981; 117: 66.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Rustad OJ, Vance JC: Punctate keratoses of the palms and soles and keratotic pits of the palmar creases. J Am Acad Dermatol 1990: 22: 468–476.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Weiss RM, Rasmussen JE: Karatosis punctata of the palmar creases. Arch Dermatol 1980; 116: 669671.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Selmanowitz VJ, Krivo JM: Hypopigmented markings in Negros. Int J Dermatol 1973; 12: 229235.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Brauner GJ: Cutaneous disease in black children. Am J Dis Child 1983; 137: 488–496.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Cordova A: The mongolian spot; A study of ethnic differences and a literature review. Clin Pediatr 1981; 20: 714–719.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Vollum DI: Skin markings in children from the West Indies. Br J Dermatol 1971; 85: 260–263.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kikuchi I: The biological significance of the mongolian spot. Int J Dermatol 1989; 28: 513–514.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Monash S: Normal pigmentation of the oral mucosa. Arch Dermatol Syphilol 1933; 26: 139147.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Sandstead HR, Lowe JW: Leukoedema and keratosis in relation to leukoplakia of the buccal mucosa. J Natl Cancer Inst 1953; 14: 423–437.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Archard HO, Carlson KP, Stanley HR: Leukoedema of the human oral mucosa. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1968; 25: 717–728.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Martin JL, Crump EP: Leukoedema of the buccal mucosa in Negro children and youth. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1972; 34: 49–58.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Grimes PE, Arora S, Minus HR, Kenney JA, Jr: Dermatosis papulosa nigra. Cutis 1983; 32: 385386, 392.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Kauh YC, McDonald JW, Rapaport JA, et al: Surgical approach for dermatosis papulosa nigra. Int J Dermatol 1983; 22: 590–592.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Knox JM, Knox JM; Keloids. In: Demis DJ, chief editor. Clinical Dermatology. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott, 1990: Unit 4–15.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Kelly AP: Keloids. Dermatol Clin 1988; 6: 413424.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Osman AAA, Gumma KA, Satir AA: Highlights on the etiology of the keloid. Int Surg 1978; 63: 33–37.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Onwukwe MF: Surgery and methotrexate for keloids [letter]. Schoch Letter 1978; 28: 4.

    Google Scholar 

  34. McLaurin CI: Pediatric dermatology in black patients. Dermatol Clin 1988; 6: 457–473.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Kahn G, Rywlin AM: Acropustulosis of infancy. Arch Dermatol 1979; 115: 831–833.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Ramamurthy RS, Reveri M, Esterly NB, Fretzin DF, Pildes RS: Transient neonatal pustular melanosis. J Pediatr 1976; 88: 831–815.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Dinehart SM, Herzberg AJ, Kerns BJ, Pollack SV: Acne keloidalis: A review. J Dermatol Surg Oncol 1989; 15: 642–647.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Goette DK, Berger TG: Acne keloidalis nuchae. A transepithelial elimination disorder. Int J Dermatol 1987; 26: 442–444.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. LoPresti P, Papa CM, Kligman AM: Hot comb alopecia. Arch Dermatol 1968; 98: 234–238.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Sperling LC, Sau P: Follicular degeneration syndrome. Arch Dermatol 1992; 128: 68–74.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Crounse RG: Lipedematous alopecia. In: Demis DJ, chief editor. Clinical Dermatology. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott, 1990: Unit 2–38.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Scott DA: Disorders of the hair and scalp in blacks. Dermatol Clin 1988; 6: 387–395.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Curtis JW, Heising NA: Lipedematous alopecia associated with skin hyperelasticity. Arch Dermatol 1964; 89: 819–820.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Coskey RJ, Fosnaugh RP, Fine G: Lipedematous alopecia. Arch Dermatol 1961; 84: 135–138.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Berne B, Venge P, Oilman S: Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens (Hoffman): Complete healing with oral zinc therapy. Arch Dermatol 1985; 121: 1028–1030.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Haider RM: Hair and scalp disorders in blacks. Cutis 1983; 32: 378–380.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Curry SS, Gaither DH, King LE, Jr: Squamous cell carcinoma arising in dissecting perifolliculitis of the scalp. J Am Acad Dermatol 1981; 4: 673–678.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Rosen T, Martin S: Atlas of black dermatology. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Brown LA, Jr: Pathogenesis and treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae. Cutis 1983; 32: 373–375.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Stevens MC, Padwick M, Serjeant GR: Observations on the natural history of dactylitis in homozygous sickle cell disease. Clin Pediatr 1981; 20: 311–317.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. DeJong R, Platou RV: Sickle cell hemoglobinopathy: An anatomic sign Am J Dis Child 1967; 113: 271–272.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Zizmor J: The extra transverse digital crease. A skin sign found in sickle cell disease. Cutis 1973; 11: 447–449.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Cornbleet T, Schorr HC, Barsky S: Pseudoophiasis and sickle cell anemia. AMA Arch Dermatol 1959; 59: 519–521.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1994 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kostelnik, K.E., Ditre, C.M. (1994). Diseases Among Black People. In: Parish, L.C., Millikan, L.E., Amer, M., Graham-Brown, R.A.C., Klaus, S.N., Pace, J.L. (eds) Global Dermatology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2614-7_23

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2614-7_23

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7607-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-2614-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics