Approach to dermatologic disorders in black children.

Skin diseases in black children differ because of pigment lability, fibroblastic activity, and folliular predominance. Normal findings may include Futcher's or Voight's line, linea alba, Mongolian spot, and pigmentation of the mucous membranes and nails. Disorders that are more frequent in black children are transient neonatal pustular melanosis, infantile acropustulosis, tinea capitis, pomade acne, traction alopecia, and proximal trichorrhexis nodosa. Disorders that vary in appearance but not incidence include pityriasis alba, vitiligo, and alopecia areata. A knowledge of this helps in the treatment of the black child with a skin disorder.