Dermatology
Clinical insights on skin conditions, dermatologic procedures, and treatment approaches from practicing dermatologists.
Recent Discussions
What is your approach to treating patients with chronic pruritus of unclear etiology?
After a thorough workup (which includes some or all of the tests below) I typically follow a treatment algorithm for Chronic Pruritus of Unknown Origin or CPUO. This includes empiric ivermectin or permethrin to rule out atypical scabetic itch (this has fooled even the most astute clinicians), topica...
How do you approach restarting biologics for psoriasis patients who have discontinued therapy for 3-6 months?
For patients that have missed just a couple of months, I just restart the maintenance dose. If they have been off the medication for 6 months or more, I prefer to start with a loading dose again.
What therapies do you use in patients with cutaneous lupus recalcitrant to topical steroids?
I agree with Dr. @Dr. First Last. In addition, strict photoprotection is absolutely key to clearing up cutaneous lupus of any severity. I also typically consider (and find to be helpful) mycophenolate mofetil if the patient is not responsive to first-line treatment (hydroxychloroquine). While useful...
What are some of your preferred treatment options for managing facial papules that occur in the setting of lichen planopilaris?
Low-dose isotretinoin is fairly established to help with facial papules in LPP. I typically do 20 mg per day although higher doses can be used for quicker disease control. Other than this, I have also had success with compounded topical ruxolitinib or tofacitinib in the past which I like for anti-in...
How do you manage patients with twenty nail dystrophy of unclear etiology?
My approach is to perform a longitudinal wedge biopsy from the hyponychium to the proximal matrix at a lateral aspect of a fingernail for histology. This can help point you in a direction to aid in treatment (spongiotic, psoriasiform, lichenoid, other rarer conditions such as amyloid or LCH).
How do you manage patients with yellow nail syndrome?
My experience is with PO vitamin E 1200 daily + weekly fluconazole or itraconazole pulse therapy for 6 months. However, it's also important to get chest imaging (CT > XR) on these patients and refer to Pulmonology.
What is your approach to managing patients with central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) who do not respond to ILK or doxycycline?
ILK + doxy of course is the mainstay but when going beyond that these are my typical thoughts: HCQ can help if there is some lichenoid inflammation on path Spiro+finasteride helps older women who likely also have some component of AGA 10% metformin in a lipoderm cream base has been used for CCC...
What is your approach to treating patients with lichen planopilaris who do not respond to hydroxychloroquine?
I have a few patients with progressive disease who have not responded to oral hydroxychloroquine or oral Doxy. For these, CellCept, either as monotherapy or as an add-on to Plaquenil is an option.There are many studies showing the efficacy of CellCept as monotherapy but I know my colleagues in acade...
How do you manage patients with alopecia totalis who are not candidates for JAK inhibitors?
Severe forms of alopecia areata are very difficult for the patient and provider. The first step in management is to assess where the patient is emotional. How are they managing? What support systems are in place? Once this is addressed, I discuss my treatment ladder. Initial options include class I ...
What is your approach to starting and monitoring methotrexate in elderly patients?
For the elderly, I start 10 mg weekly and get CBC/CMP at 2 weeks followed by monthly x3 then q3 months indefinitely.