Dr. Ruiz Dasilva talks teamwork with eczema patients of color

Music track throughout.

Please see Indication and Safety Considerations within this video

DR. RUIZ DASILVA: The most unique barrier that skin of color patients face is that there is an inherent distrust of the medical system.

If you look at medical history there has just been, you know, mistreatment of folks of different backgrounds, especially skin of color.

MICHAEL S.: I felt very misunderstood by the healthcare system.

BARBARA: All because the color of his skin, he wasn’t getting the proper care.

MICHAEL S.: I felt like they wasn’t listening to me so I just kept good notes. I kept my notes.

LOGAN: I say that most African Americans suffer in silence, not only in general but with eczema included.

CASSANDRA: A lot of times culturally, we don’t always want to speak up about what’s going on. You know, I was determined that I was not going to sit back and just allow it to be okay that my child’s skin looked a certain way.

LOGAN: It’s okay to not be okay and it’s okay to speak up.

DR. RUIZ DASILVA: Be clear with the treatments that you've tried and what you liked and didn’t like about them. Advocate for the symptoms that you're trying to relieve.

Always feel free to ask your dermatologist about, you know, their credentials, how much they’ve treated skin of color and ask for a second opinion or a referral. If your dermatologist cares about you, they will not be offended by that statement.

MICHAEL S.: If I didn’t speak up for myself, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.

DR. RUIZ DASILVA: You were clear with what you wanted to do and what was important to you and that’s helpful for me to tailor my diagnostic and treatment plan for you.

And you know, Michael, I want to let you know that you're not alone.

Let the doctor know exactly what you’re struggling with, what aspects of your skin disease bother you the most, because it may not be what the doctor sees or thinks.

MICHAEL S.: I know there’s help out there; you just got to stick with it.

RINVOQ USE

RINVOQ is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with moderate to severe eczema (atopic dermatitis) that did not respond to previous treatment and their eczema is not well controlled with other pills or injections, including biologic medicines, or the use of other pills or injections is not recommended. It is not known if RINVOQ is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age with atopic dermatitis.

Safety Considerations

RINVOQ (upadacitinib) may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Serious infections. RINVOQ can lower ability to fight infections. Serious infections, some fatal, occurred, including tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses.
  • Increased risk of death in people age 50+ with at least 1 heart disease risk factor.
  • Cancer and immune system problems. Increased risk of some cancers, including lymphoma and skin. Current or past smokers have higher risk for lymphoma and lung cancer.
  • Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in people 50+ with at least 1 heart disease risk factor, especially in current or past smokers.
  • Blood clots, some fatal, in veins of the legs or lungs and arteries. This occurred more often in people 50+ with at least 1 heart disease risk factor.
  • Serious allergic reactions. Do not take if allergic to RINVOQ or its ingredients.
  • Tears in the stomach or intestines; changes in certain laboratory test results.

Please see additional Important Safety Information on the page below.