Regional Dermatoses in the African Race

Abstract

Many diseases are peculiar to the black race and most practicing physicians in Africa have limited access to histopathologists, therefore, diagnosis is largely clinical. A retrospective study of 10,000 consecutive patients seen at the skin clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, was conducted with the objective of identifying the notable dermatoses affecting various parts of the body. The face and the shins were observed to have a very broad spectrum of dermatoses. Useful clinical descriptions of these dermatoses are highlighted in a three part paper to help practicing physicians.