The challenges of identifying atopic eczema in darkly pigmented skin

18^th International Conference on Nursing & Healthcare

December 05-07, 2016 Dallas, USA

Joan Myers

North East London Foundation Trust, UK

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

The colour of the skin is an important factor when making assessments and diagnosing clinical conditions. Especially when making visible observable assessments such as gauging tissue perfusion, assessing for jaundice, pallor, cyanosis and the blanch response. However, the author has found that the challenge of assessing darkly pigmented skin is rarely mentioned in clinical books in the UK; and especially surprising when making clinical assessment in dermatology. The concept of clinical dermatology occurred in Europe in 19th and 20th century when all classic texts described skin disease as they would present in white skinned patients. There is little research or academic acknowledgement of the difference in the presenting skin condition when assessing or making differential diagnoses of the white or darkly pigmented skin. Dadzie (2013) discovered in a recent survey of trainee dermatologists in the UK, found it challenging to manage dermatological conditions in the ethnic minority population. There are deficiencies in dermatological educational resources and the training of dermatologists in the field of skin colour. Epidemiological studies and data obtained from health services indicate that there are observable differences in the presentation of different dermatological conditions in different ethnic groups. This presentation will explore the physiological difference in the presentation and effects of eczema in darkly pigmented skin (black African, Caribbean & Asian) and how to manage the condition.

Biography :

Email: joanmyers8@hotmail.com