The assessment of dark skin and dermatological disorders

The UK has a multicultural population with a range of skin colours and hair types. Dermatological disorders affect up to 33 per cent of the population, and cause severe problems for about 10 per cent of cases (All Parliamentary Group on Skin, 1997). The detrimental effects of dermatological disorders include social isolation and stigma (Lewis-Jones, 2000). In order to minimise these negative effects it is important that patients are assessed and diagnosed efficiently and with compassion so that they can be treated appropriately.