Atopic Dermatitis in Skin of Color

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition seen primarily in children but can also persist into adulthood. It is seen in all races and ethnicities; however, skin of color (SOC) patients with AD tend to have increased severity of the disease. There are genetic, psychosocial, and environmental hypotheses to account for the disparities in diagnosis, presentation, and prognosis of AD in SOC. SOC patients can experience diagnostic delay or undertreatment since traditional cutaneous signs of AD, including erythema, can be masked in darker skin types. Additionally, SOC patients are more likely to have atypical features. Improvements in diversity in dermatologic education and resources can help improve care of AD in SOC patients.