Skin Health Psoriasis Psoriasis on Darker Skin Symptoms, awareness, and treatment By Sarah Jividen, RN Sarah Jividen, RN LinkedIn Sarah Jividen, RN, BSN, is a freelance healthcare journalist and content marketing writer at Health Writing Solutions, LLC. She has over a decade of direct patient care experience working as a registered nurse specializing in neurotrauma, stroke, and the emergency room. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 24, 2022 Medically reviewed by Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD Medically reviewed by Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD Facebook LinkedIn Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the Director of the Skin of Color Division at the University of Miami Department of Dermatology. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Quick Facts Symptoms Misdiagnosis Risk Factors Flare Management When to See a Provider Frequently Asked Questions This article is part of Health Divide: Skin Conditions and Darker Skin, a destination in our Health Divide series. Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that causes raised plaques, scales, or patches on the skin. Though it can appear anywhere on the body, it's commonly found on the scalp, elbows, or knees, and can lead to symptoms such as itching, stinging, or burning skin. Psoriasis skin lesions may present differently on certain skin tones and can be mistaken for other skin conditions. This article discusses psoriasis on darker skin, symptom management, treatment, and when to see a dermatologist. Zoe Hansen / Verywell Health Quick Facts About Psoriasis on Darker Skin Psoriasis Can Affect All Skin Types Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting all races and skin types. Psoriasis skin patches can appear differently on certain skin colors. Patches Aren’t Identical Across Races Although people of any race, skin type, or skin shade can get psoriasis, it often presents itself differently on light and dark skin: On darker skin types, psoriasis may appear violet with grey scales. It may also appear dark brown and be more difficult for providers to diagnose.On lighter skin types, psoriasis often appears pink or red with a silvery-white scale. Types of Psoriasis Symptoms of Psoriasis on Darker Skin Compared to those with lighter skin tones, darker people with psoriasis may have more dyspigmentation (discoloration) of the skin. Zoe Hansen / Verywell Health Studies show Black psoriasis patients feel they have more severe psoriasis in comparison to other groups. Meanwhile many patients with darker skin tones actually report less erythema, or redness, and are more likely to have violet or dark brown plaques. Appearance Psoriasis can look different in darker skin tones. In addition, when psoriasis clears on medium to dark skin tones, more skin discoloration may be left behind in the affected areas. However, this discoloration is not scarring and usually disappears in three months to a year. If this skin discoloration is bothersome, talk to a healthcare provider about treatment options. They may prescribe a skin cream to help the affected areas clear faster. Location Psoriasis most commonly presents on the: Scalp Elbows Knees Back Arms Thighs Nails Less commonly, psoriasis can also occur in less visible areas such as the underarms, groin, buttocks, or under the breast. When present in these areas, there may be a higher chance of misdiagnosis because of a suspected fungal or bacterial infection instead of psoriasis. There is also some self-reported evidence from people of African ancestry who have psoriasis of the scalp that they experience more severe effects in that area. Researchers continue to speculate the cause. Reasons for Psoriasis Misdiagnosis Provider Knowledge Because dark skin is underrepresented in medical textbooks, psoriasis may be more difficult for providers to diagnose on dark skin, which can lead to delays in treatment. If you have a darker skin tone, it is vital that a healthcare provider has experience working with psoriasis in people with darker skin. Psoriasis treatment may be different for darker skin types, such as the need for higher doses of phototherapy due to higher melanin levels in the skin. Environmental Several environmental factors can increase the risk of developing or triggering psoriasis in all skin tones. These factors include: Poor nutrition Stress Skin injury Infections, such as strep throat Temperature and weather changes Air pollution Smoking Being overweight Common Triggers of Psoriasis Flares Effects of Psoriasis on People With Darker Skin A study by the National Psoriasis Foundation on psychosocial impacts of psoriasis found that psoriasis may have a more significant perceived impact on people with darker skin. Julie Bang / Verywell In the study, 72% of people with non-White skin tones reported an impact from psoriasis on their quality of life, versus 54% of White people. Some of the concerns from people with darker skin about their psoriasis included self-consciousness, frustration, helplessness, and anger. Researchers observed that the negative impact on quality of life might be due to: Having more visible discoloration of the skinDifferent cultural perceptions of skin ailments In addition, 23% of Black patients in the study stated that they had "very severe psoriasis" compared to 8% of White people. The Impact of Psoriasis on Mental Health Psoriasis Flare-Up Management on Darker Skin Skin color usually doesn't determine what types of treatment options are available for people with psoriasis. Talk with a healthcare provider about different treatment options or combinations of best therapies for your psoriasis flare-ups. Some treatment options may include: CreamsOintmentsTopical steroidsPhototherapy Does Dark Skin Prolong Psoriasis Treatment? In some cases, people with darker skin tones may require prolonged treatment. Topical medications are usually the first line of treatment. However, people with darker skin tones may have thicker psoriasis patches that need more aggressive treatment with higher-potency medications and phototherapy. When to See a Dermatologist A dermatologist is a healthcare provider who specializes in skin, hair, and nail conditions. If you think you may have psoriasis or any other unknown skin condition, make an appointment with a dermatologist. This is especially important if the condition worsens or the treatments prescribed by your primary healthcare provider are not working. Physical Examination At your appointment, a healthcare provider or dermatologist will gather your past medical history and perform a physical examination to make a diagnosis. In most cases, healthcare providers diagnose psoriasis by looking at the affected area. Sometimes, they may also collect a skin sample to examine the tissue. There are no other diagnostic tools or blood tests that can provide a diagnosis for psoriasis. Questions to Ask You may want to write down a list of questions for a healthcare provider or dermatologist before your appointment, so you don't forget to ask them while you are there. Some of the questions you may want to ask include: How did I get psoriasis?What are the long-term effects of this skin condition?Will psoriasis affect any of my other medical conditions?What are my treatment options?What treatment options would you recommend?How long will treatments take before I see results?Are there any side effects of these treatments? Learning as much as you can about your psoriasis can help you make more educated decisions about the treatment you receive. Summary Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that leads to itchy scales and patches on the skin. It can present differently on different skin tones. It's important to understand how psoriasis may affect people with darker skin to prevent disparities in care and accurately diagnose skin conditions. Skin color shouldn't determine what treatment options are available for people with psoriasis. Talk with a healthcare provider about different treatment options for psoriasis flare-ups. A Word From Verywell Having psoriasis can be frustrating and painful, and some people may even feel embarrassed of their skin. But receiving a diagnosis may provide some relief, because there are treatment options that can help. Reach out to a healthcare provider or a dermatologist in your area who specializes in treating psoriasis on darker skin tones. You may also want to consider learning as much as you can about psoriasis management to help empower yourself with tools that can help you live with this skin condition. Frequently Asked Questions Are psoriasis plaques on darker skin permanent? Psoriasis can initially be less visible on darker skin tones. However, when psoriasis clears on medium to dark skin tones, lighter or darker skin discoloration may be left behind in the affected areas. This discoloration is not permanent and usually disappears in three months to a year. What are the early symptoms of psoriasis on darker skin? Psoriasis lesions usually look like thickened areas of skin with a scaly crust. These lesions are usually itchy and may bleed if scratched. In Black people, psoriasis may appear violet with grey scales. Psoriasis may also appear dark brown and be less visible in darker skin tones. Where can you find Black dermatologists who specialize in darker skin care? Talk to your existing healthcare provider or research online for Black dermatologists in your area who specialize in treating the skin of patients with darker skin tones. 10 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriasis: causes, triggers, and treatments. American Academy of Dermatology. Can you get psoriasis if you have skin of color?. Alexis AF, Blackcloud P. Psoriasis in skin of color: epidemiology, genetics, clinical presentation, and treatment nuances. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(11):16-24. Skin of Color Society. Patient dermatology education psoriasis. National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriasis and skin of color. National Psoriasis Foundation. Causes and triggers. Barrea L, Nappi F, Di Somma C, et al. Environmental risk factors in psoriasis: the point of view of the nutritionist. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2016;13(7):743. doi:10.3390/ijerph13070743 Kamiya K, Kishimoto M, Sugai J, Komine M, Ohtsuki M. Risk factors for the development of psoriasis. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(18):4347. doi:10.3390/ijms20184347 National Psoriasis Foundation. Treating skin of color. National Psoriasis Foundation. Dermatologists and psoriasis. By Sarah Jividen, RN Sarah Jividen, RN, BSN, is a freelance healthcare journalist and content marketing writer at Health Writing Solutions, LLC. She has over a decade of direct patient care experience working as a registered nurse specializing in neurotrauma, stroke, and the emergency room. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit