Picture this: How to diagnose dermatoses in children of color

Editor's note: For more coverage of the 2020 AAP Virtual National Conference & Exhibition, visit https://www.aappublications.org/news/2020/08/21/nationalconference2020.

A picture is worth a thousand words. A mixed picture. Get the picture.

Any of these sayings could be used to describe a session led by Latanya T. Benjamin, M.D., FAAD, FAAP, titled “Dermatoses in Children of Color,” which can be accessed via the virtual platform through Jan. 31, 2021.

Dr. Benjamin’s presentation is “highly visual,” with at least half her slides being photographs.

“The photos are key because the more exposed we are to conditions, how they present in various skin of color, that in and of itself is fruitful,” said Dr. Benjamin, associate professor of pediatric dermatology at Florida Atlantic University and a member of the AAP Section on Dermatology.

The session covers a potpourri of dermatologic conditions pediatricians commonly encounter in patients of all ages, from neonates to adolescents, with a focus on conditions that have a greater incidence in children of color.

For example, she discusses keloids and transient neonatal pustular melanosis, which can be confused with other neonatal rashes. She also covers hair conditions that tend to have a greater incidence in children of color such as tinea capitis and traction alopecia.

The skin can only do so much, Dr. Benjamin said. It can either get red or make white spots or brown spots. It can be scaly and itchy. Her goal is to help pediatricians become familiar with a host of common and uncommon conditions within each of those categories so they can make the correct diagnosis.

The majority of conditions discussed can be managed by general pediatricians, but she also covers emergent or urgent conditions that may need to be referred to a specialist.

Pediatric dermatologists also might want to tune in, Dr. Benjamin said, especially if they trained in an area of the country without diverse populations.

Dr. Benjamin also presents “Dermatologic Emergencies” and “Dermatologic Potpourri: Common Problems Seen in the Office” (L3402), which can be accessed via the virtual platform through Jan. 31, 2021.