A study of the spectrum of skin disease occurring in a black population in south-east London

Abstract

We recorded the diagnosis made in 461 black patients (187 children and 274 adults) attending a dermatology clinic between January and March 1996. In the childhood population, atopic eczema and tinea capitis were the most frequent dermatoses, comprising 63% of diagnoses recorded. In the adult population, acne and acne keloidalis nuchae were seen most frequently. Other conditions observed commonly were eczema, psoriasis, keloid scarring, pityriasis versicolor and postinflammatory changes. Our study demonstrates a wide spectrum of skin disease and includes disorders more common in black skin, disorders unique to black skin, those which present a greater cosmetic disability, and normal findings which have been mistaken for pathological disease.