PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Divya Sharma
AU  - Yoseph Dalia
AU  - Tejesh S. Patel
TI  - Ethnic Equity Implications in the Management of Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
AID  - 10.3122/jabfm.2022.01.210168
DP  - 2022 Jan 01
TA  - The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
PG  - 173--174
VI  - 35
IP  - 1
4099  - http://www.jabfm.org/content/35/1/173.short
4100  - http://www.jabfm.org/content/35/1/173.full
SO  - J Am Board Fam Med2022 Jan 01; 35
AB  - One major issue facing the health care system in the United States is the disparity in health care management of diseases that affect minority patient populations. Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is very common in Black men. It presents as skin-colored to erythematous, follicular or perifollicular papules and pustules predominantly on the neck and chin. The most definitive treatment for PFB is cessation of close shaving. However, many Black men are forced to comply with “clean-shaven” policies in the workforce. For those who are able to obtain medical waivers, there is significant time and costs associated with this, especially if they must wait to receive this waiver from a dermatologist. If primary care providers are able to identify the disease and spread awareness of its legitimacy, it may be easier for patients to receive the necessary waivers and may encourage employers to reflect on the ethnic equity of this practice. Our professional support can help reduce stigma and lead to improvements in the physical and psychological health of this historically mistreated population.