Eczema occurs in people of all races and ethnicities. How eczema appears on your skin depends on severity, affected body areas, and most importantly, your skin tone.
On light skin, it can appear as pink or red rashes.
On brown and darker skin, it can appear as darker brown, purple, or gray rashes.
African Americans more commonly develop papules—small bumps on their torso, arms, and legs.
Hyper-pigmented, thickened areas of the skin (lichenification) may appear dark pink on paler skin, but slate gray on darker skin.
Alternative signs like skin swelling, dryness, itchiness, or oozing can help confirm an eczema diagnosis in people with darker skin tones.
Take a look at these photos of how eczema can present differently on different skin tones.
Health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes only. A healthcare professional is the single best source of information. Please consult a healthcare professional if there are any questions about healthcare or treatment.
