Brown Eczema: After the Rash is Gone

Dear Mahogany,

The primary difference between a brown skin person with eczema and another person with eczema is how the skin heals. A Caucasian person suffering from eczema may choose to take a corticosteroid (hydrocortisone, triamcinalone, etc.) or a TIM (protopic, elidel), after a few days the rash will have gone away, and only a red mark remains. The redness will soon fade as well. 

People of color have melanocytes, not only in the lowest layer of skin, but through out all three layers. When our rashes heal, a hyperpigmented area remains. A dark spot remains.

The rash is removed, the skin is healed. But your body still looks as if you are broken out because the darkened areas still remain where the rashes once were.

There are a few options that you and your dermatologist may discuss, after the rash is gone:

1. WAIT.

Even though dark spots remain where the rashes once were, they will fade away. For a dark skin person of my complexion it will take 6-12 months for the hyperpigmented area to clear up. That is 6 to 12 months without another outbreak in that same area. 

2. Bleaching Creams.

No, it's not the 70s. This is not to change your complete complexion. I'm sorry you weren't born with fairer skin. These may be prescribed and even recommended by some dermatologists to return the color of the darkened areas where rashes once were back to normal.

3. Corticosteroid Injections or Oral Medication

I am not sure why Atopic Steroids and Topical Immunomodulators (TIMs) leave hyperpigmentation and Corticosteroid Injections not only clear up the rash itself, but the hyperpigmentated area as well.  Oral Corticosteroid injections may actually remove hyperpigmentation as well.

Until the rash is gone, after the rash is gone, keep loving yourself until the dark spots are gone too. 

Love,

Lhea J.