VIDEO: Skin of color patients more often diagnosed with late stage, severe nail disorders

In recent years, improvements in the understanding and treatment of nail disorders, particularly nail psoriasis and nail lichen planus, in patients with skin of color have been one of the focal points in the field of dermatology. This aspect of health care was given significant attention at the recent Skin of Color Update 2024 meeting held in New York, where dermatological professionals gathered to discuss and share insights about conditions affecting those with skin of color.

According to experts in attendance, diagnosing and treating these conditions pose a unique set of challenges, compounded more so by a lack of clinical treatment trials and a dearth of clinical images of disorders in the affected populations. In effect, this often results in later diagnosis and more severe disease manifestations in patients with skin of color compared to their counterparts with lighter skin.

Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology, Shari Lipner, was among the prominent dermatologists who shared their insights at the conference. According to Lipner, who’s also the director of the nail division at Weill Cornell Medicine, advancements in diagnostic techniques and recommendations for treatment concerning patients of color suffering from nail psoriasis and nail lichen planus were focal points of her presentation.

Nail psoriasis and nail lichen planus are skin conditions that present as discoloration or abnormal growth on the nails and are generally tied to broader skin conditions. Understanding and treating these particular disorders become significantly more complex due to the additional considerations required for patients with skin of color.

The dermatology field has admitted to past shortfalls in advocacy for and awareness of issues faced by patients of color. The inadequate pictorial representations in clinical studies and textbooks, symptomatic differences in skin conditions across different skin types, and an embedded racial bias in medical practice are some of the challenges that are gradually being addressed.

Addressing these requires heightened acknowledgement and improved representation in clinical studies. The steps towards this direction include updating and using more inclusive textbooks, providing more comprehensive training to medical students, and implementing management approaches that are inclusive to all dermatological patients regardless of their skin color.

The Skin of Color Update 2024 showcased a commitment from the dermatology field in expanding upon the limited understanding of skin conditions in patients of color, with experts such as Lipner leading the conversation. By spotlighting the unique concerns and challenges faced by these patients, the conference undeniably marked a significant stride towards the creation of a more inclusive and equitable dermatology field in the future.

With continuous research and concerted efforts from the medical community, it is expected that the awareness and treatment options for patients with skin of color will continue to improve. This will not only ensure that they are more adequately represented in dermatology but also will help to improve their overall health outcomes.

This recognition and movement in the industry towards diversifying and inclusivity, encapsulated in events such as the Skin of Color Update 2024, presents a beacon of hope for patients of color. Within this narrative, one anticipates a future where terms such as skin color become insignificant within the context of the quality of healthcare.