Dermatology

A 50-year-old forest ranger noted this rash, which he thinks has been present for several weeks. He noticed a similar rash on his dog. It is itchy, with a raised red border and a clear center. It may have increased in size slightly over several weeks. He is otherwise asymptomatic. What is the next step in treating him?

A recent study observed the likelihood of survival and other aspects of melanoma depending on a patient's NRAS and BRAF status.

A recent study looked specifically at patients on Medicare who require surgery for their melanoma and their wait time before going under the knife.

For patients with Androgenic Alopecia (AGA), Finasteride is a popular treatment option.

Researchers are investigating whether microbial therapy can be an effective treatment for several skin and allergic conditions.

Most oncologists recommend removing melanomas within 4 to 6 weeks of diagnostic biopsy. Researchers have analyzed Medicare's database to determine how quickly the highest risk population (elderly people) have melanomas removed. Their findings indicate 20 percent wait more than 1.5 months to have the malignancy removed, and roughly 8 percent wait longer than 3 months.

Any clinician who biopsies multiple melanocytic lesions per day daydreams about a modality that will consistently and accurately distinguish the neoplasms that haunt us the most: the ones with no clear diagnosis. New diagnostic technology may soon make that dream a reality.

The first guttate psoriasis (GP) episode, which is often triggered by an acute infection such as streptococcal pharyngitis, often results in patients developing chronic plaque psoriasis, according to research presented at the 73rd American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting.

Using golimumab for long-term treatment of patients with psoriatic arthritis increased functional improvement over time, according to a study published in Arthritis Care & Research.

Abdominal complaints are not the result of exocrine pancreatic function in Fabry disease patients, suggests a study by researchers in Slovenia.

Patients with plaque psoriasis often experience clear improvement in their skin conditions after undergoing tonsillectomy.

Cancer Research UK had confirmed the steady increase in malignant melanoma incidences among individuals 65 years and older.

Fingernail changes beyond the current diagnostic criteria should be considered when observing the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, according to a study from McMaster University.

This 29-year-old man came in for a wellness evaluation but notes having had this rash for 8 years. Occasionally it itches, but otherwise is asymptomatic and he has had no treatment for it to date. He does not take any medications and has no significant past medical history.

While several new treatment options for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis have launched in recent years, there is still much work to be done in the field to help patients through long stretches of care.

The array of medications and treatments for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis continues to expand, giving doctors and patients more choices when deciding on a management plan.

A lot of work goes into a medication being approved for the public including many rounds of trials and adjustments along the way. For a new plaque psoriasis medication that work is well underway and the developers hope to have it to patients in the near future.

The development of new medications to help patients with plaque psoriasis seems to take steps forward on a daily basis. Results presented at a recent conference showed at least one could help provide much needed relief for this patient group.

Understanding the difference between clear and almost clear skin is crucial with the advent of new biologic therapies that make complete clearance attainable.

Psoriasis treatment in the geriatric demographic has long been poorly understood.

Whether it is sitting at the beach, working in the yard or just walking to the grocery store, the risk of developing skin cancer is a risk for everyone. A recent study looked at the impact of the sun particularly for asian and hispanic people.

The treatment of vitiligo has come a long way in recent years and there is already work being done to improve treatment in the future.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in United Kingdom has recommended Janssen's Stelara for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis, adding to its recommendation of the drug already to treat plaque psoriasis.

When treating a patient with vitiligo it can be easy to look at their skin condition and no further. There is work being done to show that more can be done to help the patient not only physically, but mentally as well.

Dermira, Inc. presented clinical data from its successful DRM01 Phase 2a trial in patients with facial acne vulgaris at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting on March 20, 2015 in San Francisco.

In most instances a microscope is enough to make a diagnosis of melanoma, but in some the view under the lens does not provide a clear enough picture. A new test that combines math and science could make the most difficult cases easier to identify.

For anyone who has had or been exposed to someone with chicken pox herpes zoster, or shingles, can be a very real risk. A vaccine for patients over the age of 60 can greatly reduce the likelihood of contracting the disease.

The American Academy of Dermatology is meeting in San Francisco and while there are many noteworthy topics being discussed, melanoma is one of the leading topics of discussion at the event.

Novartis announced results from the CLEAR study demonstrating Cosentyxâ„¢ (secukinumab) improved skin clearance at Week 16 in significantly more moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis patients compared to Stelara®* (ustekinumab), a widely used biologic.

Study results show that patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis experienced significant symptom improvement after a single treatment with an experimental human antibody.