When was the last time you read a psoriasis pamphlet tailored to the Black and brown community? Or how about a time when you watched a commercial that explains how psoriasis affects Black and brown people differently? Slim to none, right? The media is often known to express/represent only one perspective as it pertains to psoriasis, and that perspective is how it affects white people/ people with lighter skin tones.
Psoriasis is a skin condition in which the cells build up and form scales and dry, itchy patches on the skin. This can happen throughout the body, but common spots are the knees, elbows, scalp and legs. Psoriasis requires medical diagnosis and should be treated sooner than later.
Symptoms of psoriasis:
- Dry skin
- Rashes on the skin
- Flakiness and/or peeling on the skin
- Small bumps covered with scales
- Small dents on nails
- Inflamed tendons
- Joint stiffness
Psoriasis looks and feels completely different on people with browner/darker skin tones. This may directly affect the diagnosis, proper treatment plans, and even quality of life for Black and brown people.
Why? The Black and brown community tends to be underrepresented in research (medical studies/educational material) and in healthcare environments. This leads to misdiagnosis.
For example, eczema is a common condition that looks and feels similar to psoriasis on darker skin tones. A healthcare professional that isn’t equipped with the proper knowledge and tools leaves room for misdiagnosis.
What psoriasis can look like on browner/darker skin tones:
- Light to dark brown plaque / thick patch with scales
- Purple plaque
- Gray plaque
- Cracked skin
- Sometimes, even non-visible
RELATED: 9 Surprising Places Psoriasis Can Appear on Black Skin
What psoriasis feels like on browner/darker skin tones:
- Itchy
- Dry
- Sore
- Burns
- Tightness
The numbers show that 1.9 percent of Black Americans are diagnosed with psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. However, these numbers don’t paint the full picture that we need to see.
How so? It’s possible that scientists strongly believe that people of color actually have higher rates of
