Diagnosing Disorders of Facial Erythema

Abstract

Identification of specific patterns, shades, and intensity of erythema in the skin has always been critical and fundamental to diagnostic accuracy in dermatology. Erythema is often less noticeable in darker skin types. The interplay of inflammation and variance of skin tone contributes to appreciable differences in the clinical appearance of cutaneous disease in darker complexions. In this article, we discuss common disorders that present with facial erythema in skin of color and offer distinguishing features of each disorder to assist the clinician with diagnosing these conditions in the presence of deeply pigmented skin.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris; Erythema; Facial erythema; Lupus erythematosus; Psoriasis; Rosacea; Seborrheic dermatitis; Skin of color.