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Session handouts and meetings archive
Handouts ... 2025 Innovation Academy, Chicago, IL, July 10-13 2025 Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, March 7-11 2024 Innovation Academy, Seattle, WA, August 1-4 2024 Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 8-12 2023 Innovation Academy, Tampa, FL, August 10-13 2023 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 17-21 Sessions ... 2025 Innovation
CME & session evaluation archive
Claim CME & submit session evaluations ... Claim CME credit and submit session evaluations for attending previous Academy meetings: ... 2026 Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, March 27-31, 2025 Innovation Academy, Chicago, IL, July 10-13 2025 Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, March 7-11 2024 Innovation Academy, Seattle, WA, August 1-4 2024 Annual
What's new in dermatology?
Experts break down diagnoses you didn't know about 10 years ago ... Feature ... By Emily Margosian, Assistant Editor, March 1, 2022 The history of medical diagnosis traces back to ancient Egypt, where the first recorded examples can be found in the writings of Imhotep dating 2630–2611 BC. In the
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.
Biotin supplementation for hair and nail health: Does it pass the test?
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD November 17, 2021 Vol. 3, No. 46 When patients ask me about biotin supplementation for their hair or nails, the usual question is what dose they should take, not whether or not it has any value. High dose over-the-counter biotin supplements (≥ 5 mg/day,
Key messages to communicate about Indoor tanning
Key messages ... Using indoor tanning beds can increase your risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. (1-15) ... Using tanning beds before age 20 can increase your chances of developing melanoma by 47%, and the risk increases with each use. (16) ... Women younger
Dermatologists warn people about the reliability of online symptom checkers
Research shows that online symptom checkers inaccurately diagnose skin rashes ROSEMONT, Ill. (October 12, 2022) — Thanks to the internet, we have the world at our fingertips, and with just a few clicks, we can easily enter our medical symptoms into websites and apps to self-diagnose illnesses. However, a new
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
PDT for erosive pustular dermatitis of the scalp: Seeing the light (but reaching a different conclusion)
By Warren R. Heymann, MD June 9, 2016 Erosive Pustular Dermatitis of the Scalp (EPDS) is a relative common condition, typically seen on the actinically damaged scalps of the elderly men. Lesions characteristically present as hyperkeratotic, crusted erosions with varying degrees of pustulation. Lesions may become secondarily infected. The etiology
Getting down to brass tacks
Go to AAD Home ... Go to AAD Home ... Menu ... Dermatology World unlocks the basics of physician entrepreneurship ... Dermatology World unlocks the basics of physician entrepreneurship ... By Ruth Carol, contributing writer Inspired by your entrepreneurial colleagues who were featured in the August issue of ... Dermatology
The ironclad promise of ferroptosis
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD Jan. 25, 2023 Vol. 5, No. 4 As checkpoint inhibition of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) has become standard oncologic therapy, it is easy to forget that this revolutionary therapy is barely a decade old. Until 1972, cell death was considered passive and
The pachydermoperiostosis prostaglandin paradigm
By Warren R. Heymann, MD July 10, 2019 Vol. 1, No. 18 Prostaglandins were the rage when I started medical school in 1975; their role in inflammatory dermatoses was considered of paramount importance throughout my residency in the early 1980s. Hours were spent studying the transformation of arachidoinic acid to
Advocacy Update Feb. 4 2025
IN THIS ISSUE / Feb. 4, 2025 Physician champions introduce Medicare physician payment fix in House Academy joins coalition urging less regulatory burdens in Medicare Advantage and Part D program AADA urges CMS to improve MVP framework Become an AADA Advocacy Key Contact Support dermatology champions in Congress through SkinPAC
Advocacy Update May 5, 2026
IN THIS ISSUE / May 5, 2026 Advocacy win: United Healthcare delays referral program penalties Dr. Gross attends political event on behalf of SkinPAC New Medicare physician payment reform legislative efforts AADA presents at FDA nonprescription drugs access public meeting Payer Advocacy Advocacy win: United Healthcare delays referral program penalties
Taking the challenge: Social media, adolescents, and the skin
By Albert C. Yan, MD June 12, 2019 Vol. 1, No. 14 Patterned skin injury can raise the specter of non-accidental trauma. However, over the past decade or so, striking examples of patterned skin injury have emerged among adolescents and pre-teens that share certain features: these are self-induced voluntarily; the
Advocacy Update Dec 9, 2025
IN THIS ISSUE / Dec. 9, 2025 AADA endorses annual inflationary update to Medicare payment legislation Upcoming formulary prior authorization changes to Blue Cross Blue Shield’s federal employee coverage Podcast highlights advocacy on dermatopathology payer and regulatory challenges AMA offering $1 million in community health program grants Peter Friedman, MD,
Advocacy Update Feb. 18 2025
IN THIS ISSUE / Feb. 18, 2025 AADA, house of medicine demand reversal of Medicare cut and provide a pay boost AADA highlights need for Medicare physician payment reform at House Committee on Ways and Means hearing Dermatology addresses new CLIA requirements for lab directors Legislators reject pharmacists’ effort to
Advocacy Update Mar. 18, 2025
IN THIS ISSUE / Mar. 18, 2025 AADA outraged that Congress passed government funding without doc fix AADA advocates for dermatologists in CLIA lab director requirements FDA testing confirms minimal benzene in most benzoyl peroxide acne products, some voluntary recalls issued Add your voice and become an AADA Advocacy Key
Lipoid proteinosis’ weak, hoarse cry is crying for targeted therapeutic intervention
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD Nov. 6, 2024 Vol. 6, No. 45 Having recently participated in the excellent conference devoted to antisemitism in medicine organized by Heather Milbar at the University of Pennsylvania, I reacquainted myself with Erich Urbach, who described lipoid proteinosis (LP, Urbach-Wiethe disease) with the otolaryngologist
Propranolol and neutrophilic dermatoses: Can beta-blockade be better blockade?
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD December 8, 2021 Vol. 3, No. 48 Ask any dermatology resident what the first-line treatment is for infantile hemangiomas (IH) and you will get a matter-of-fact response — "propranolol" — as if this has been an entrenched fact for decades. Barely more than a
Of strife and SDRIFE
By Warren R. Heymann, MD May 17, 2017 Patient 3. SDRIFE. Frontal view (A) and right lateral view (B) with erythema and blanching papules coalescing into plaques with vesicles on back, abdomen, and bilateral inframammary and inguinal folds. ... Credit: ... JAAD A conceivable Yelp review: I was so uncomfortable
Glucose monitors: Not as sweet as they seem
By Christen M. Mowad, MD Oct. 9, 2019 Vol. 1, No. 31 ... The next contact allergen of the year has been announced early by the American Contact Dermatitis Society and it is an acrylate, isobornyl acrylate. (1) This chemical is a photopolymerizable monomer that has been used in industrial
Researching therapeutic reformation of the capillary malformation: Arteriovenous Malformation Syndrome
By Warren R. Heymann, MD June 17, 2020 Vol. 2, No. 24 Small cutaneous lesions may have profound systemic implications. Astute dermatologists will recognize these lesions and assess patients accordingly, often to the surprise of referring physicians and patients alike. ... The Capillary Malformation – Arteriovenous Malformation (CM-AVM) syndrome was
Propranolol for infantile hemangiomas: Start to finish
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD March 26, 2025 Vol. 7, No. 12 "We have observed that propranolol can inhibit the growth of these [infantile capillary] hemangiomas." (1) In my career, I cannot think of any statement that led to such a swift, dramatic paradigm shift in management more than
Untangling the neurologic comorbidities of bullous pemphigoid
By Warren R. Heymann, MD June 6, 2017 Response of a patient with bullous pemphigoid (BP) after 6 omalizumab injections as monotherapy. A, Involvement of the back of a steroid-refractory patient with BP before omalizumab treatment. B, Four months after beginning omalizumab as monotherapy, the inflammatory plaques have largely resolved,
Going green: The complexities of the green nail syndrome
By Warren R. Heymann, MD February 3, 2021 Vol. 3, No. 5 I find a unique satisfaction in diagnosing the green nail syndrome (GNS, aka chloronychia, Goldman-Fox syndrome) — it is easy to recognize and very reassuring to patients who were convinced they had a subungual melanoma. Based on new
Beef tallow for eczema: Grade A prime or just another bum steer?
By Andrew C. Krakowski, MD, FAAD June 18, 2025 Vol. 7, No. 24 As a pediatric dermatologist, I have seen skin care trends come and go faster than a cow fleeing a branding iron. Lately, social media — especially herd-mentality platforms like TikTok — has been bullish on beef tallow
Not aging like fine wine: The myths and mysteries of acquired port wine stains
By Warren R. Heymann, MD January 13, 2021 Vol. 3, No. 2 Port wine stains (PWS, aka nevus flammeus, nevus simplex, salmon patch) are cutaneous capillary malformations that are characteristically congenital (CPWS) but may be acquired (APWS). APWS was first described in a German publication by Fegeler in 1949, hence
Terra Firma-Forme Dermatosis
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD Nov. 13, 2024 Vol. 6, No. 46 The renowned gastroenterologist was rounding with his fellows when he summoned me to his patient’s bedside to impress me with his astute diagnosis of malignant acanthosis nigricans, having admitted his patient for an extensive endoscopic work-up for
Keeping an eye on melanoma
By Warren R. Heymann, MD April 7, 2021 Vol. 3, No. 14 If your practice bears any resemblance to mine, a significant portion of your schedule is devoted to patients following up because of their history of melanoma. Prior to seeing the patient, our medical assistant runs through a focused
Indoor tanning fact sheet
Indoor tanning use ... The global prevalence of indoor tanning in adolescents for 2013-2018 was 6.5%, and 10.4% in adults. (1) ... Though the numbers have been decreasing in recent years, approximately 7.8 million adults in the U.S. still engage in indoor tanning. (2,3) ... Among high school students in
Paradoxical biological reactions and Grandma Dora’s waterbed
By Warren R. Heymann, MD January 22, 2020 Vol. 2, No. 3 My late maternal grandmother Dora — a real ... balabusta (Yiddish for "mistress of the house") — was the first person I knew to get a waterbed. That raised eyebrows, until I explained that it comforted her octogenarian
After 23 years, a syndrome converted me into an eflornithine believer
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD July 12, 2023 Vol. 5, No. 28 I learned that Vaniqa (eflornithine - ... α -difluoromethylornithine [DFMO]) was discontinued. Topical eflornithine was released in 2000 to reduce facial hirsutism. When the drug was released, I recall being fascinated by the premise of its mechanism.
Tofacitinib: A JAK inhibitor of all trades
By Warren R. Heymann, MD April 3, 2019 Vol. 1, No. 4 The Janus kinase inhibitors are taking the dermatologic therapeutic world by storm — at least in the literature. By now, most dermatologists are familiar with studies that have demonstrated efficacy in alopecia areata, vitiligo, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and
Playing the field: Introducing tirbanibulin for actinic keratosis therapy
By Warren R. Heymann, MD January 27, 2021 Vol. 3, No. 4 Field therapy is a cornerstone of actinic keratosis (AK) management. Two years ago, a ... New England Journal of Medicine article demonstrated that 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was the best among inadequate therapies (compared to imiquimod, MAL-PDT, and ingenol mebutate).
Netherton syndrome: From apex to nether
By Warren R. Heymann, MD March 31, 2021 Vol. 3, No. 13 If you are a dermatologist preparing for your board exam, I’ll wager that you can rattle off the classical features of Netherton syndrome (NS, aka Comel-Netherton syndrome) in a heartbeat. The more important question — would you recognize
Topical tacrolimus topics
By Warren R. Heymann, MD August 26, 2020 Vol. 2, No. 34 What were you doing in 2000? Worrying about counting chads in Florida? If you were a dermatologist, you were probably eagerly awaiting the release of topical tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) two years later. These topical calcineurin inhibitors
JAK inhibitors battle in the heavyweight class
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD Nov. 12, 2025 Vol. 7, No. 45 Editor’s Note: A modified version of this commentary appeared as "A Clinician’s Perspective" in JAAD ... . JAK inhibitors (JAKi) have catapulted to such prominence in dermatologic therapeutics that I could write a weekly commentary about them.
Sparking the interest in Spark nevus
By Jason B. Lee, MD, FAAD Dec. 13, 2023 Vol. 5, No. 49 The late A. Bernard Ackerman has described and named a variety of dermatologic entities, expanding the lexicon of dermatology over his career. He has been known to come up with catchy and playful names for dermatologic entities
Can topical ketoconazole tip the scales for acne vulgaris?
By Warren R. Heymann, MD Oct. 28, 2020 Vol. 2, No. 43 How often do you perform an oral examination? If you’re like me, probably only under two circumstances — when the patient has specific complaints (soreness, a raised lesion, or a discoloration noted by their dentist), or when we
Homing in on hornerin: Breaking down the barrier to understand its crucial role in atopic dermatitis
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD Oct. 16, 2024 Vol. 6, No. 42 Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by skin barrier dysfunction, inflammation, and chronic pruritus. The etiology of AD, however, is complicated and incompletely understood, with genetic, environmental (soaps, surfactants, stress), and immunological factors causing skin barrier abnormalities and
Cannabis arteritis: Getting higher on the differential diagnosis list of ulcerative lesions
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries ... By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD, January 1, 2026 Vol. 8, No. 1 Marijuana use is on the rise. In 2022, nearly 22% of people had used the drug in the past year, with steep increases in the number of people 65 and older who
Hemochromatosis: Beyond 50 shades of gray
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD March 6, 2024 Vol. 6, No. 10 As a medical student, I was enamored by the term "bronze diabetes" as a depiction of hemochromatosis; ever since I have been magnetically attracted to the disease. Hereditary (primary) hemochromatosis is a common autosomal-recessive disorder, with a
Promising therapeutic developments for cutaneous lupus erythematosus: Interfering with interferon
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD Aug. 17, 2022 Vol. 4, No. 33 Disfigurement due to scars and dyspigmentation complicating discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) can be devastating. The cornerstones of therapy for cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) are steroids (topical, intralesional, systemic) and antimalarials (hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, quinacrine). Secondary agents include immunosuppressive
Incysting on understanding pilar cysts
By Warren R. Heymann, MD July 15, 2020 Vol. 2, No. 28 Chances are you will see patients with at least one pilar cyst today. You will reassure them of their benignity, stating that the risk of their becoming cancerous is infinitesimal, and perhaps you will excise some lesions. Inquisitive
The breathless complications of anti-MDA-5-positive dermatomyositis
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD Oct. 30, 2024 Vol. 6, No. 44 Dermatologists are familiar with the spectrum of dermatomyositis (DM) — classic DM, juvenile DM, amyopathic DM, and cancer-associated DM. Clinically, amyopathic DM is a form in which the patients typically develop characteristic cutaneous features of DM [heliotrope
The nexus of VEXAS syndrome
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD December 1, 2021 Vol. 3, No. 47 You may not be familiar with VEXAS (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) syndrome, but it is conceivable that you have already unknowingly encountered patients with the disorder. ... To appreciate the clinical nuances of the VEXAS
Striving to avoid an amebic nightmare: Recognizing cutaneous Balamuthia mandrillaris infection
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD May 22, 2024 Vol. 6, No. 21 Having received the worry gene from my mother, I have nightmares about missing diagnoses that have potentially devastating outcomes. My anxiety level reached new heights over 20 years ago, listening to a presentation by Dr. Amit Pandya
The vexing verruciform xanthoma
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD February 23, 2022 Vol. 4, No. 8 Verruciform xanthomas (VX) were first described 50 years ago, and they are still a source of debate. Only the most astute dermatologists will make the diagnosis clinically, with the possible exception of recognizing such lesions in patients
Giving a NOD2 to Yao syndrome
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD March 5, 2025 Vol. 7, No. 9 The 21 ... st ... century has witnessed an expanding array of systemic autoinflammatory disorders (SAIDs) due to innate immunity dysfunction. SAIDs are characterized by recurrent attacks of fever, cutaneous signs, chest or abdominal pain, lymphadenopathy, vasculopathy,
Exchanging plasma exchange for a novel approach: The potential of FcRn antagonists in dermatologic autoimmune disease
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD Nov. 1, 2023 Vol. 5, No. 44 Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF) are potentially life-threatening disorders demanding aggressive therapy with all the finesse and skill that dermatologists can muster. PV is characterized by IgG autoantibodies targeting desmoglein (Dsg)‐3, which is associated with
Deeper thoughts about acne keloidalis nuchae
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries ... By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD, February 1, 2026 Vol. 8, No. 2 Wallace Clark taught me the truism that thinking often ceases when a diagnosis is rendered. The clinical diagnosis of acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) is straightforward. Embarrassingly, I had not given much thought
Treatments for renal IgA vasculitis are beginning to flow
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD Feb. 19, 2025 Vol. 7, No. 7 The alliterative phrase "palpable purpura" will instantly conjure the diagnosis of leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) for dermatologists. IgA vasculitis (IgAV, aka Henoch-Schönlein purpura [HSP]) is the most common vasculitis in children but is much less frequent in adults.
Metformin mania: Is it an adequate chemopreventive agent for skin cancer?
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD Aug. 31, 2022 Vol. 4, No. 35 Precisely a century ago (in 1922) metformin was synthesized, based on the folk knowledge that the active, but toxic constituent guanidine galegine, (derived from French lilac, ... Galega officinalis ) could treat "sweet urine." Metformin is now
The profound dermatological manifestations of COVID-19
By Warren R. Heymann, MD March 18, 2020 Vol. 2, No. 11 Disclaimers: This commentary was written on March 12, 2020 for a publication date of March 18, 2020. The issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic are changing at breakneck speed. The content included in this commentary may no longer
A medal-worthy diagnosis: Medallion-like dermal dendrocyte hamartoma
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD Aug. 30, 2023 Vol. 5, No. 35 A personal joy of dermatology is rendering a diagnosis in a lesion or rash that I have only read about but never previously encountered in practice. Beyond being intellectually satisfying, having a precise diagnosis is reassuring, as
The appropriate dermatologic response when considering the capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation syndrome: Fast flow to referral
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD Sept. 18, 2024 Vol. 6, No. 38 I have had the privilege of contributing to Dr. Ronni Wolf’s outstanding AAD symposium devoted to Emergency Dermatology by presenting the lecture "Dermatological Urgent Care: When Banalities Surprise You," discussing several cutaneous disorders that could easily be
Professionalism and Ethics
Ethics and medicine have been intertwined since the dawn of our profession. From the ancient Hippocratic Oath to the principle of ... primum non nocere to modern-day principlism, medical ethics have evolved over time. ... As public and professional interest in medical ethics increases, it is important for clinicians, researchers,