Taylor Simmons was diagnosed witheczema, an inflammatory skin condition, when she was 5 years old.
Then, in high school, lighter spots contrasting Simmons dark skin appeared on her cheeks.
This new symptom didnt resemble her eczema at all.
Skin of color dermatology aims to make healthcare more inclusive.
The journey to a diagnosis was a long and exasperating one.
Google searches of the condition looked very different from Simmons symptoms, so she sought a second opinion.
Each time, she says, she was prescribed a new medication, but none of them worked.
Melanoma on white skin generally occurs on sun-exposed areas…
Research shows that Simmons experience isnt unusual.
There are thousands of these cases, Dr. Elbuluk tells SELF.
It happens all the time.
…whereas in dark skin, the cancer is more likely to be found on the soles of the feet.
Within dermatology, medical textbooks rarely include images of ethnic skin.
Perlmans finding isnt new.
Historically, medical educational materials underrepresent skin of color, according to numerous other studies.
Eczema, or skin inflammation, is described as an itchy small rash with red, dry patches in many medical textbooks…
For instance, experts recently wondered whether COVID-19 caused swelling and toe discoloration.
The discrepancies may be clear, but there are no easy solutions.
Medical textbooks use clinical images from real cases to illustrate diseases.
…but in dark skin, it can present as a series of brown and black bumps, rather than dry patches.
To include a variety of skin types, dermatology needs to be accessible to all communities.
We Black people are very underrepresented in dermatology, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd tells SELF.
That has to change.
Erythema multiforme, a skin rash, looks bright red in white skin…
Skin of color clinics are slowly expanding throughout the U.S.
They encourage people of color to follow the account so they can spot dermatologic conditions on themselves.
For Simmons, finding a Black dermatologist who specializes in skin of color allowed her to get proper treatment.
…but typically presents as dark red or purple patches on dark skin
Now, shes in remission.
But staying persistent and getting several opinions changed Simmons life.
I eventually got the right diagnosis and treatment, she says.
Now, I feel like a new person.
