Being Black With Atopic Dermatitis: Feeling Judged By Your Skin
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Being Black With Atopic Dermatitis: Feeling Judged by Your Skin

Being Black With Atopic Dermatitis: Feeling Judged By Your Skin

Danaé, Nikai, and Zera reflect on being ‘othered’ for the color of their skin and also for having visible skin symptoms from atopic dermatitis.
Being Black With Atopic Dermatitis: Feeling Judged By Your Skin

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On Darker Skin, Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms Don't Fit the Textbook Definition

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On Darker Skin, Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms Don't Fit the Textbook Definition

On Darker Skin, Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms Don't Fit the Textbook Definition00:05:32

How Inclusive Is Atopic Dermatitis Treatment, Really?

How Inclusive Is Atopic Dermatitis Treatment, Really?00:06:08
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Published on May 7, 2025
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Living with a visible skin condition, such as atopic dermatitis, can have a significant impact on your self-esteem, social life, and overall mental health, regardless of your racial or ethnic background.

 But when you add being Black to the equation — and the racism and other forms of bias that come with it — those negative feelings can intensify.

It’s common for Black people with atopic dermatitis to feel especially self-conscious and embarrassed about their skin, says Caroline Opene, MD, a dermatologist at UCLA Health in Santa Monica, California. “This exacerbates the stress often brought on by being the only Black person in their class or at their job, along with the racism that can come along with those experiences. So, their skin condition only makes them feel more ‘othered.’”

Here, we take a closer look at the emotional and mental toll atopic dermatitis can take on Black Americans and talk about how you can feel more comfortable in your skin.

Judgment by Others for Being Black and Having a Visible Skin Condition

Living with atopic dermatitis affects all areas of your life. “Symptoms can impact you at school, at work, and in relationships,” says Nada Elbuluk, MD, associate professor of dermatology at Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and the founder and director of the USC Skin of Color and Pigmentary Disorders Program. Research supports these observations in the atopic dermatitis community.

Because atopic dermatitis is highly visible, it can be challenging to hide flare-ups, which can lead to embarrassment and shame. Research shows it’s common to feel more sensitive about the appearance of your skin than about other aspects of your body that make you insecure. The condition may also make it seem like everyone is always looking at your skin — both during an active flare-up and afterward, when you have residual discoloration (or, very rarely, scarring).


“Some people have a more difficult time dealing with the shame and embarrassment associated with their atopic dermatitis than the actual pain and discomfort associated with the physical symptoms,” says Dr. Opene.

Another challenge is dealing with misconceptions and the stigma of atopic dermatitis. For example, some people believe only Black people can develop the skin condition, which is untrue, says Opene.

Although atopic dermatitis is more prevalent in Black people and other people of color, it’s fairly common in white people, too. Other common judgments about atopic dermatitis include thinking it’s contagious or caused by bad hygiene or eating habits — again, false beliefs.

Some people have a more difficult time dealing with the shame and embarrassment associated with their atopic dermatitis than ... with the physical symptoms.
— Caroline Opene, MD

These misconceptions can make you feel like you did something wrong or should have done something differently to avoid developing atopic dermatitis. All of this can further exacerbate your shame and embarrassment.

Opene says living with atopic dermatitis can also make you feel isolated and alone, either because you’ve distanced yourself from other people due to the condition or because they’ve distanced themselves from you.

The Mental Health Impact of Atopic Dermatitis in Darker Skin

The feelings of shame and embarrassment that often go hand in hand with atopic dermatitis can lower your self-esteem and negatively affect your mental health.

Research has shown that atopic dermatitis can cause social embarrassment, and people with the condition may be more likely to experience anxiety and depression due to excessive discomfort, disfigurement, or perceived social stigmatization. One study found that depression symptoms seemed to worsen as the severity of atopic dermatitis symptoms increased.

Similar research has found that anxiety and depression are caused not only by social embarrassment and social stigmatization, but also by feeling helpless and powerless to fully manage symptoms. You may find that each new flare-up makes you feel more disappointed, helpless, and overwhelmed than the last.

“The feeling of helplessness is very common,” says Opene. She stresses the importance of working with your dermatologist to create an individualized treatment plan that suits your needs. At the same time, it’s important to keep in mind, “There’s no guarantee that your symptoms will respond the way we want them to or that it will reduce the number of new flare-ups, which can be disappointing and exhausting,” she notes.

According to Opene, the mental toll of living with atopic dermatitis can be even greater if you’re Black. Being marginalized already makes you hyperaware of your skin. Having atopic dermatitis on top of that adds insult to injury, making you feel even more judged, self-conscious, and isolated.

How to Feel Good About Yourself (and Your Skin) as a Black Person With Atopic Dermatitis

Research shows that atopic dermatitis can have a direct impact on your self-esteem, making you feel unattractive and, in more extreme cases, unworthy of love and companionship.

 But there are ways to boost your skin and your confidence.

5 Ways to Embrace the Skin You’re In

Opene shares these actionable steps you can take to feel more comfortable in your skin:

  1. Find a culturally competent dermatologist. Working with a doctor who has experience treating atopic dermatitis in Black people can be a game changer. Together, you can create a treatment plan targeted to your specific concerns, such as hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.
  2. Do your research. Just as important as finding the right dermatologist is educating yourself on the best ways to manage flare-ups and improve your skin’s appearance. Consider sources such as the Skin of Color Society, the National Eczema Association, and Eczema in Skin of Color.
  3. Revamp your skin- and hair-care routines. Research options, ask your dermatologist for recommendations, and experiment with products touted as being made for atopic dermatitis in Black skin specifically.
  4. Connect with like-minded people. Join a support group to connect with others who understand exactly what you’re going through, share stories, and lean on each other throughout your journeys with atopic dermatitis.
  5. Speak with a professional. If you find yourself unable to manage the emotional and psychological effects of the condition or feel that atopic dermatitis is affecting your daily life, connect with a mental health professional who can provide you with the support you need. 
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Courtney A et al. The Psychology of Atopic Dermatitis. Journal of Clinical Medicine. March 2024.
  2. Schonmann Y et al. Atopic Eczema in Adulthood and Risk of Depression and Anxiety: A Population-Based Cohort Study. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. in Practice. January 2020.
  3. Croce EA et al. Reframing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Atopic Dermatitis in Black and Latinx Populations. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. November 2021.
Additional Sources
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Lydia-J-Johnson-bio

Lydia J. Johnson, MD

Medical Reviewer
Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Lydia Johnson, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist. Her medical career of more than 20 years has included work in private practice and in an academic medical center, as well as various medical leadership positions, including department chair. In 2020, Dr. Johnson embarked upon a passionate journey to utilize her medical knowledge and experience to help create a more widespread and lasting impact on the individual and collective health of our community. She is doing this as a board-certified lifestyle medicine physician, board-certified dermatologist, and certified health coach.

Johnson envisions a future of healthcare that prioritizes and values maintenance of health, holistic well-being, and disease prevention. Through lifestyle medicine certification, she is committed to being a part of that transformation. As a coach, she empowers others to enjoy lives of optimal well-being and identify the ways to do so through lifestyle behaviors that are accessible to all. Her purpose is to help others thrive in all aspects of their lives, with a foundation of optimal health.
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Maia Niguel Hoskin, PhD

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Maia Niguel Hoskin, PhD, is a graduate assistant professor of counseling who earned her doctorate in counselor education and clinical supervision at Southern Illinois University. She is also a Forbes contributor, consultant, and therapist. She writes about topics related to structural racism and oppression, women’s issues, and mental health in both scholarly and non-scholarly publications. Her research also explores how social media and mediated images of Blacks impact behavior and mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and racial trauma. Dr. Maia has a catalog of published, peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, and her editorial work has appeared in outlets such as Zora, Momentum, Vox, Healthline, What to Expect, The Healthy, and MadameNoire. She is a staunch activist of racial and gender equity who has lectured at more than 20 speaking engagements and facilitated dozens of workshops on cultural consciousness and mental health for various businesses, organizations, schools, colleges, and universities.

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