Search
A string of (clinical) pearls about drug-induced linear IgA disease
The late sage Wallace Clark taught me that once a diagnosis is secured, thinking ceases. Admittedly in cases of drug-induced linear IgA dermatosis (DI-LAD) that I have encountered (due to vancomycin), once the diagnosis was suspected and confirmed, I never gave it too much thought. Recent findings in the DI-LAD
Cyclosporine reaches the top of the SJS/TEN leaderboard
The first commentary in DI&I for 2017 included a New Year’s resolution “to try either cyclosporine or etanercept the next time I see a case of SJ/TEN.”
Happy 4th of July from DI&I
George Washington contracted smallpox when he was 19 years old. Although he nearly succumbed to the disease, he survived with pockmark scars and life-long immunity. (1) He and other founders recognized the severity of smallpox and its threat to their independence and took all measures at their disposal to
Session handouts and meetings archive
View previous AAD meeting sessions, handouts, poster exhibits, and floor plans.
Battling bugs...that aren't there
Go to AAD Home ... Go to AAD Home ... Menu ... Dermatologists embrace empathy, antipsychotics to help patients with psychocutaneous disease ... Dermatologists embrace empathy, antipsychotics to help patients with psychocutaneous disease ... By Jan Bowers, contributing writer Dermatologists are well equipped to diagnose and treat all manner of
CME & session evaluation archive
Claim CME credit and submit session evaluations for attending previous Academy meetings.
Welcome to Dermatology World Insights and Inquiries
Learn more about Welcome to Dermatology World Insights and Inquiries at aad.org
AADA hosts largest Capitol Hill skin cancer check in a decade
On May 15, the AADA hosted its 10th annual Capitol Hill Skin Cancer Check and Health Fair with the Congressional Skin Cancer Caucus. This event was our largest to date, hosting 198 Hill staffers and 11 members of Congress, performing 127 skin checks, and providing 75 Reveal camera image results.
Academy physician leaders meet with federal legislators
On June 4, AADA physician leaders met with legislators in Washington, D.C., as part of the House Call on the Mall fundraiser hosted by the National Republican Congressional Committee and Rep. John Joyce, MD, FAAD (R-PA). During the event, AADA leaders reiterated the importance of Medicare physician payment reform.
AADA hosts 10th annual Capitol Hill Skin Cancer Check and Health Fair
Moving the needle ... By Apoorva Stull, Senior Manager, Advocacy Communications, May 1, 2024 DermWorld ... breaks down the latest highlights of AADA advocacy activities at the federal and state legislative and regulatory level. On May 15, the AADA hosted its 10th annual Capitol Hill Skin Cancer Check and Health
DI&I encore: Better than a back scratcher?
The potential toxicity of the combination of topical ketamine/amitriptyline/lidocaine (TKAL) was discussed in a recent entry detailing the encephalopathic findings in an octogenarian Parkinsonian man with atopic dermatitis who was treated with the compound.
Not just for boys: X-linked erythropoietic protoporphyria
I was anxiously awaiting the results of erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels obtained from a 4 year-old boy who avoids sunlight because his “skin hurts” when not in the shade. Until I read the article by Balwani, et al (1), I was unaware of the existence of X-linked erythropoietic protoporhyria (XLEPP), also
Advocacy Update Feb. 4 2025
The AADA is pleased that physician champions in the U.S. House introduced a bipartisan bill to address the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cut.
Advocacy Update May 5, 2026
In response to advocacy by the AADA and other specialty societies, UnitedHealth Care will delay any adverse payment decisions related to Medicare Advantage referral requirements starting on May 1.
Advocacy Update Dec 9, 2025
The AADA endorsed a House bill that would include an annual inflationary update to the Medicare physician fee schedule, the Academy’s top federal advocacy priority.
Taking the challenge: Social media, adolescents, and the skin
Learn more about Taking the challenge: Social media, adolescents, and the skin at aad.org
Dupilumab: The first year
When introduced as dermatologist to a new acquaintance, I’m sure you have heard: “Dermatology is a great field – you don’t cure anybody, so they keep coming back!” Trust me. It’s no joy to see patients with recalcitrant, severe, life-altering, debilitating diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, recalcitrant mycosis fungoides, et
Hair straightening and acute renal injury: The latest data straight up
An increasing number of reports implicate acute kidney injury due to hair straighteners containing glyoxylic acid.
Advocacy Update Feb. 18 2025
The AADA joined over 130 national and state physician organizations led by the AMA demanding Congress act to reform Medicare physician payment.
Advocacy Update Mar. 18, 2025
The AADA is outraged that Congress once again passed a government funding bill that did not include relief to stop this year’s 2.8% Medicare physician payment cut.
Glucose monitors: Not as sweet as they seem
Learn more about Glucose monitors: Not as sweet as they seem at aad.org
Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis: Six decades of progress
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries ... By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD, March 1, 2026 Vol. 8, No. 3 Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) is a quizzical disorder. In 1965, Ise and Ofuji described the case of a 42-year-old woman who "repeatedly developed crops of small pustules on the face, the trunk,
The rosy reality of coffee
I have never discouraged caffeine in rosacea patients, because of a brilliant study by Jonathan Wilkin that I read early in my residency.
The concept of atrophoderma of pasini and pierini as morphea may be falling off a cliff
Diagnosing Atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini (APP) is reasonably straightforward – it usually presents in adolescents and young adults, more often in females, with sharply defined, single or multiple round to oval, hyperpigmented, depressed lesions with a “cliff-drop” border. Unusual presentations may include congenital lesions (1) or with a Blaschkoid
As molecular knowledge of PROS expands, lesions contract
Somatic activating mutations in the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/AKT/mTOR pathway manifest as heterogeneous segmental overgrowth phenotypes Historically, the clinical diagnoses in patients with PIK3CA activating mutations have included Fibroadipose Hyperplasia or Overgrowth (FAO), Hemihyperplasia Multiple Lipomatosis (HHML), Congenital Lipomatous Overgrowth, Vascular Malformations, Epidermal Nevi, Scoliosis/Skeletal and Spinal (CLOVES) syndrome, macrodactyly, Fibroadipose Infiltrating Lipomatosis,
Researching therapeutic reformation of the capillary malformation: Arteriovenous Malformation Syndrome
Read the June 17, 2020 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on capillary malformation.
Radical chik: Chikungunya fever presenting as a toxic epidermal necrolysis-like eruption
I have seen only one documented case of Chikungunya fever (CF), in a young woman who returned from Puerto Rico, presenting with high fever, joint pains, and a morbilliform rash (see image). Unfortunately, she will not be the last.
Dupilumab’s conjunctivitis conundrum
Having worn glasses since kindergarten, and being virtually helpless without them, I am particularly sympathetic to patients with eye disorders.
Recognizing Trichophyton indotineae
In the last decade, a recently emerged dermatophyte species, Trichophyton indotineae, has been causing major outbreaks of severe, difficult-to-treat, and frequently relapsing infections in South Asia among immunocompetent patients.
Dyeing for a “new” topical agent for psoriasis? Think indigo
Despite the magnificent revolution of biologics for psoriasis, topical agents remain the cornerstone of treatment, either alone, or in combination with phototherapy or systemic treatments.
Clawing to understand lichen nitidus
I enjoy diagnosing lichen nitidus (LN). Only dermatologists are aware of the entity, it is of little significance, and usually resolves on its own.
Key messages to communicate about Indoor tanning
By communicating these key messages on indoor tanning, you can help position the specialty while increasing your credibility and raising the profile of your practice.
PD1 blockade: The next step for aggressive basal cell carcinomas?
I was about to start the weekend, relishing that delightful TGIF feeling, with one final task – go through lab reports in my bin. My mood became morose when I read the follow-up letter about Sue (not her real name). She is a lovely woman in her 40’s who did
What are keratoacanthomatous lesions of the legs in mature women?
I have an increasing number of patients asking me questions about proliferating keratoacanthoma-like lesions on their shins. “Why am I getting these? Are they cancer? Why do more of them appear after surgery?”
COVID-19 dermatology registry
The Academy is bringing together dermatologists to report on the dermatologic manifestations of COVID-19. This anonymous reporting registry is helping the Academy gather and disseminate important information regarding the infection and how it impacts patients.
Key messages for social media about nails and nail health
By communicating these key messages on nails, you can help position the specialty while increasing your credibility and raising the profile of your practice. People who are diagnosed with melanoma of the fingernails are often diagnosed relatively late. These messages will help raise awareness.
Hand-wringing over the histology of mechanic’s hands and other cutaneous manifestations of dermatomyositis
Of all the cutaneous manifestations of dermatomyositis (DM) – the heliotrope rash, Gottron’s papules, Gottron’s sign, shawl sign, holster sign, flagellate erythema, photosensitivity, poikiloderma, periungual erythema, periungual telangiectasis, Samitz sign, pruritic erythema of the scalp, and panniculitis – none has perplexed me more than mechanic’s hands (MH).
Voriconazole prophylaxis mandates cutaneous prophylaxis – and communication
The utilization of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been increasing dramatically. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, 92,784 procedures were performed between 2010 and 2014.
The globalization of monkeypox
Read the May 25, 2022 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on the globalization of monkeypox.
Coming to terms with Louis Brocq and his diagram: Pityriasis lichenoides 2018
As a first-year dermatology resident in 1980, I struggled with the concept of parapsoriasis. In trying to conceptualize the process, I recall being distressed after seeing Louis Brocq’s diagram from his classic paper, “Les parapsoriasis,” published in 1902 — Would I ever understand this? What is the relationship to
The profound dermatological manifestations of COVID-19: Part II
Read the March 25, 2020 DermWorld Insight and Inquiries on COVID-19, part 2.
Does the JAK inhibitor baricitinib raise the bar on treating lupus?
Undeniably, the JAK inhibitors have been at the forefront of advances in immunologically-based diseases, including alopecia areata, vitiligo, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, graft-versus-host disease, and other disorders.
Biotin supplementation for hair and nail health: Does it pass the test?
Read the November 17, 2021 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on biotin supplementation for hair and nail health.
After 23 years, a syndrome converted me into an eflornithine believer
Polyamines are integrally involved with the hair cycle. The Bachmann-Bupp syndrome has shed new light on the role of ornithine decarboxylase, and how it’s inhibition by eflornithine can be used as an advantage to either slow or stimulate hair growth.
Positively perplexing: Determining the meaning of CD30 positivity
Read the September 29, 2021 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on determining the meaning of CD30 positivity
Getting a head up on cutaneous scalp malignancies
Cutaneous scalp malignancies are common in patients with alopecia. Research suggests hair prevents carcinogenesis by physically blocking ultraviolet light and other mechanisms.
Targeted anti-complement therapy may prove to be a complementary treatment for bullous pemphigoid
Read the October 7, 2020 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on targeted anti-complement therapy for bullous pemphigoid.
Lipschütz ulcers: Not only for women
Read the March 24, 2021 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on Lipschütz ulcers.
JAK inhibitors battle in the heavyweight class
JAK inhibitors may cause weight gain. Although the precise pathomechanism is unknown, leptin dysregulation may be involved. Dermatologists must counsel patients treated with JAK inhibitors about the risk of weight gain and provide them with appropriate counseling.
Keeping up is hard to do: The need for true grit
One of the daunting challenges in practicing dermatology (or any branch of medicine) is keeping abreast of advances in the literature to optimize patient care. As a clinician-educator, I have always had an interest in how we learn best. For full disclosure, I am a dermatologist, not a psychologist, nor
Unrestricted fascination with restrictive dermopathy
Read the Nov. 16, 2022 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on restrictive dermopathy.
Reflections on reflectance confocal microscopy for diagnosing benign lichenoid keratoses
Reflectance confocal microscopy may obviate the need for biopsies of benign lichenoid keratoses (and other lesions).
The pressure to prevent pressure ulcers
Read the Aug. 24, 2022 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on the pressure to prevent pressure ulcers.
The woolly culprit: Lanolin revealed as an uncommon cause of dermatitis on normal skin
Lanolin is the 2023 Allergen of the Year and is present in many personal care and industrial products. For those who have a positive patch test to lanolin, it is important to remember the “lanolin paradox” where patients have a positive patch test but tolerate lanolin on normal skin.
Promising therapeutic developments for cutaneous lupus erythematosus: Interfering with interferon
Read the Aug. 17, 2022 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on cutaneous lupus erythematosus and interferon.
Recognizing toxic epidermal necrolysis-like acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus ASAP
Read the November 10, 2021 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on recognizing toxic epidermal necrolysis-like acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.
Further dermatologic observations in cystic fibrosis
The Cystic Fibrosis Dermatitis Arthritis Syndrome should be suspected in young (mostly female) cystic fibrosis patients presenting with episodic arthritis and rash.
Which treatment modality of pyogenic granuloma is worth its weight in salt?
There are many modalities to treat pyogenic granulomas. If removal of the lesion is impractical, and salt is as effective as preliminary studies suggest, it will be worth its weight in salt, indeed.
Necrobiosis lipoidica in a Wink
Read the May 3, 2023 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on Necrobiosis lipoidica in a Wink. Necrobiosis lipoidica is usually associated with diabetes, but may also be accompanied by thyroid disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and other disorders. JAK inhibitors are on the horizon in treating the granulomatous component of the disorder.
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor: Tapinarof is taking off
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor plays a key role in inflammation. Understanding its pathophysiology has led to new therapeutic agents such as tapinarof, which is approved for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, and used off-label in lupus, vitiligo, ichthyotic diseases, and perioral dermatitis.
Tag, you’re it!
Read the Sept. 28, 2022 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on Tag, you’re it!
The nexus of VEXAS syndrome
Read the December 1, 2021 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on VEXAS syndrome.
Reflections on infantile perianal pyramidal protrusion and Hippocrates
Dermatologists must recognize infantile perianal pyramidal protrusion (and its clinical variants) to avoid inappropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures.
Cycling back to doxycycline’s roots as therapy for bullous pemphigoid
Staphylococcus aureus has the potential to trigger or complicate bullous pemphigoid by infection. Tetracyclines may exert their efficacy via their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Exchanging plasma exchange for a novel approach: The potential of FcRn antagonists in dermatologic autoimmune disease
FcRn antagonists, currently approved for treating myasthenia gravis, show potential for treating pemphigus and other autoimmune diseases.
Indoor tanning fact sheet
Find facts and statistics for reporting about indoor tanning.