Itch in Skin of Color, with Andrew Alexis, MD, MPH, and Shawn Kwatra, MD

Welcome to Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color, the official podcast of the Skin of Color Society, produced by HCPLive. Hosted by Skin of Color Society (SOCS) leaders, this podcast delves into the latest research, clinical insights, and culturally competent care practices in dermatology. From groundbreaking studies to practice-changing insights, we’re here to empower healthcare providers with expert perspectives on treating patients with skin of color. In this, the podcast’s inaugural episode, SOCS board members Andrew Alexis, MD, MPH, vice chair for Diversity and Inclusion for the Department of Dermatology and professor of Clinical Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, and Shawn Kwatra, MD, associate professor of Dermatology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, explore the topic of Itch in Skin of Color. Itch, or pruritus, in patients with skin of color presents unique challenges that are often overlooked in clinical practice. One significant issue is the lack of visible erythema, which can make it harder for clinicians to identify and assess the severity of the condition. During the conversation, Dr. Alexis emphasized that patients with darker skin tones often face delays in care due to these diagnostic challenges and cultural barriers that may prevent them from fully communicating the impact of their symptoms. He shared that targeted questions—such as asking whether itch disrupts sleep or daily focus—can be critical in uncovering the true burden of the condition. Kwatra highlights the need for a more tailored approach to treatment, noting that conventional therapies may not always address the specific needs of patients with darker skin tones. Topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, and other standard treatments are often prescribed, but they may not fully resolve itch in certain cases, particularly when underlying conditions like atopic dermatitis or lichen planus are involved. Alexis also shared his experiences with integrating newer therapeutic options, such as topical JAK inhibitors, which have shown promise in reducing itch and inflammation in this population. Together, the conversation underscored the importance of cultural competence, thorough patient history-taking, and exploring innovative therapies to address the unique challenges of itch in skin of color. Chapters 00:00 - Start 02:00 - Itch in Skin of Color 02:30 - Kwatra’s Perspectives 05:30 - Alexis’s Perspectives 07:48 - Practice Pearls for Evaluating Itch 11:30 - Therapeutic Approaches 16:10 - Conclusion/Closing Relevant disclosures for Alexis include, Leo, Novartis, Menlo, Galderma, Pfizer, Sanofi-Regeneron, Dermavant, Unilever, Celgene, Beiersdorf, Valeant, L’Oreal, BMS, Menlo, Scientis, Bausch health , UCB, Foamix , Cassiopea, and Arcutis, among others. Relevant disclosures for Kwatra includeAbbvie, Amgen, Arcutis, Aslan Pharmaceuticals, Cara Therapeutics, Castle Biosciences, Celldex Therapeutics, Galderma, Incyte Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Leo, Regeneron, and Sanofi, among others.