Donate For AAD Members Search

Go to AAD Home
Welcome!
Advertisement
Advertisement

Skin diseases and conditions in darker skin tones


How a skin disease or condition affects you can vary with your skin tone. Here you’ll get insight from dermatologists about some skin conditions that affect people with darker skin tones, either more frequently or more severely.

Young woman talking with her dermatologist
Acanthosis nigricans

If you have thickening, darker skin on your armpits, neck, or groin, you may have this skin condition. It won’t harm you, but it can be a sign of a serious medical condition like diabetes.

Mother comforting daughter who has painful hidradenitis suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)

Causing deep, painful lumps under the skin, HS can be mistaken for acne, an STD, or boils. Getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment from a dermatologist can prevent HS from worsening.

Man scratching itchy skin with keloid
Keloids

A keloid is a raised scar that grows larger than the wound that caused it. Find out what may stop this scar from growing larger, and possibly prevent it.

Woman showing dermatologist how lupus affects her skin
Lupus and your skin

Lupus can affect the skin in many ways. Here you’ll see different types of rashes it can cause and find skin care tips that dermatologists give their patients who have lupus.

Young woman talks with dermatologist
Sarcoidosis and your skin

This disease causes growths called granulomas, which can develop on the skin, inside the body, or both. In the United States, African American women have the highest risk of developing sarcoidosis.

Looking at how skin cancer can appear on darker skin tones
Skin cancer

People of all colors get skin cancer. This information can help you find skin cancer early when it’s highly treatable.

Advertisement