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As discovery occurs through basic and translational research, our faculty at Johns Hopkins incorporate evidence based knowledge into practice. Many faculty members in the Department of Dermatology are actively engaged in clinical, translational and basic research as principal investigators. Their work is supported by the National Institutes of Health, private foundations and corporate industry.

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Founded in 1869 as Archiv für Dermatologie und Syphilis

• Provides coverage on biochemistry, morphology, and immunology of the skin.
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Sodium Intake and Atopic Dermatitis

This cross-sectional study assesses the association of a higher level of dietary sodium intake, estimated using urine sodium secretion, with atopic dermatitis.

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Most Common Dermatologic Topics Published in Five High-Impact General Medical Journals, 1970–2012: Melanoma, Psoriasis, Herpes Simplex, Herpes Zoster, and Acne

Internists frequently diagnose herpes simplex, herpes zoster, and acne, which are also common dermatologic topics published. The authors conducted an independent search of the Thomson Reuters’ Science Citation Index for common dermatologic topics, limited to the period 1970 to 2012. The five most common dermatologic topics published in five high-impact general medical journals were melanoma, psoriasis, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, and acne.

General practitioners frequently encounter skin diseases and are accustomed to diagnosing the most common dermatologic conditions.

We sought to determine the most common dermatologic topics published in five high-impact general medical journals ( New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, the Journal of the American Medical Association, British Medical Journal (now The BMJ ), and Annals of Internal Medicine ).

We conducted an independent search of the Thomson Reuters’ Science Citation Index for common dermatologic topics, limited to the period 1970 to 2012.

Main Outcome Measure:

Total number of publications dealing with each dermatologic topic considered.

The five most common dermatologic topics published were melanoma, psoriasis, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, and acne. Melanoma and psoriasis were the top two dermatologic topics published in each journal except for Annals of Internal Medicine .

Conclusions:

Internists frequently diagnose herpes simplex, herpes zoster, and acne, which are also common dermatologic topics published. Although internists infrequently diagnose melanoma and psoriasis, they are major topics for general medical journals because of their increased community awareness, major advancements in therapeutic research, and their nondermatologic manifestations.

Introduction

Skin diseases are commonly encountered by general practitioners, and in today’s health care system, most patients are evaluated first by their primary care physician before seeing a dermatologist. It is estimated that 6% of primary care outpatient visits are skin-related, and 60% of cutaneous diagnoses are made by nondermatologists. 1 As the role of the general practitioner continues to grow, it remains imperative that these physicians are equipped to manage general dermatologic conditions.

To determine which skin diseases internists most commonly encounter, Feldman et al 2 analyzed the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data from 1990 to 1994. The top five dermatologic diagnoses made by internists during this period were dermatitis, bacterial skin infections, tinea, acne vulgaris, and herpes zoster. By highlighting these common diagnoses, it was anticipated that skin disease educational programs for internists would be tailored to these diseases. Moreover, this study demonstrated that diagnoses such as psoriasis, actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, skin cancer, and benign tumors were commonly made by dermatologists but not by internists. These findings elucidated the overlapping yet differing role of the dermatologist and the internist, espousing the need for further communication and alliance in diagnosing a wide range of skin diseases.

The purpose of our study was to determine the most common dermatologic topics published from 1970 to 2012 in five high-impact general medical journals. We sought to analyze whether these journals, having the largest readership in medicine, targeted the common dermatologic diagnoses made by internists or focused on skin diseases more commonly diagnosed by dermatologists.

We analyzed data from the Thomson Reuters Science Citation Index. The five high-impact general medical journals we considered, based on the highest impact factors, were the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), The Lancet, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), British Medical Journal (now The BMJ ), and Annals of Internal Medicine. For each of these journals, we conducted an independent search for each of the dermatologic topics included in the study, limited to the years 1970 to 2012. The topics chosen were a modified list from the top dermatologic diagnoses made by internists and dermatologists 2 ( Table 1 ).

Total umber of articles for each dermatologic topic

Two independent reviewers analyzed search results to determine whether an article met the dermatologic topic under consideration. A consensus was achieved for all articles included. All types of publications (original research, case reports, review articles, meta-analyses, editorials, etc) were eligible for the study. If an article dealt with more than one possible topic, the topic that best fit the primary objective of the article was chosen. Topics without 20 or more papers in any of the 5 general medical journals were not mentioned.

A total of 2627 articles dealing with at least 1 of the 24 dermatologic topics mentioned in Table 1 were included in the study. From our combined data, the top 5 dermatologic topics published in the 5 high-impact general medical journals were melanoma (708 articles), psoriasis (455), herpes simplex (366), herpes zoster (253), and acne (165), as shown in Table 1 . The Lancet had the highest total number of dermatologic publications (744), followed by British Medical Journal (661), NEJM (630), JAMA (419), and Annals of Internal Medicine (173).

Melanoma was overwhelmingly the most common dermatologic topic in each of the journals except for Annals of Internal Medicine ( Figure 1 ). In NEJM, the second most common topic was psoriasis (100 articles), followed by herpes simplex (97) and herpes zoster (71). The other dermatologic topics were relatively uncommon in that journal. In The Lancet, the second most common topic was also psoriasis (144), followed by herpes simplex (102) and acne (49). There were also notable contributions to the dermatologic literature about herpes zoster (40), atopic dermatitis/eczema (40), urticaria (32), and abscess (28).

Frequency of common dermatologic topics mentioned in five high-impact general medical journals.

JAMA = Journal of the American Medical Association; NEJM = New England Journal of Medicine.

In JAMA, herpes simplex (with 68 articles) was the second most common dermatologic topic, followed by psoriasis (48) and herpes zoster (46). Acne (36), urticaria (30), and squamous cell carcinoma (22) followed in number of contributions. Melanoma (158) and psoriasis (134) were 2 greatly favored topics in the British Medical Journal. Herpes zoster (63), acne (60), and herpes simplex (56) made up the next highest proportion of topics, followed by abscess (35), urticaria (27), atopic dermatitis/eczema (26), and squamous cell carcinoma (22).

Annals of Internal Medicine was the only journal wherein melanoma (22) was not the most common dermatologic topic. In fact, melanoma was the fourth most prevalent. Preceding melanoma in prevalent articles was herpes simplex (43), herpes zoster (33), and psoriasis (29); see Figure 1 .

It has become customary for general practitioners to diagnose common skin conditions. For these physicians, primary sources for up-to-date information are general medical journals, namely the five high-impact journals ( NEJM, The Lancet, JAMA, British Medical Journal, and Annals of Internal Medicine ). By studying the prevalence of common dermatologic topics published in these journals, we attempted to provide insight into their emphasis on certain skin conditions.

Of the five high-impact general medical journals, we found that The Lancet and British Medical Journal, which have their foundation in the United Kingdom, published more articles on common dermatologic topics. In the United Kingdom, physicians must complete two years of foundation training and two years of core medical training before entering dermatology as a specialty. 3 This is in contrast to the US, where medical school graduates are required to complete only one year of internal medicine, general surgery, or pediatrics internship before entering dermatology residency. Perhaps in the United Kingdom, dermatology is integrated more with internal medicine, leading to a greater number of dermatologic publications in their general medical journals.

In our analysis, we found that herpes simplex, herpes zoster, and acne were three of the top five dermatologic topics published. This coincides with the fact that these topics were also among the top ten dermatologic diagnoses made by internists. 2 Melanoma and psoriasis, on the other hand, were the top two dermatologic topics published but are diagnoses rarely made by internists. 2

As mentioned by Feldman et al, 2 melanoma, despite being rarely diagnosed by internists, is important to internal medicine because of its serious nature. Some consider the early detection of melanoma, which has a 5-year survival rate of 98% if detected early and 15% with distant metastasis, 4 to be the responsibility of primary care physicians. 5 Furthermore, a “new era” of targeted and immune-based therapies for melanoma has been ushered in by recent advancements in melanoma research. 6 Many of these findings have gained publication in prestigious general medical journals. 7 – 9 It is not surprising, therefore, that melanoma was the most common dermatologic topic published in 4 of the 5 high-impact general medical journals we studied.

Psoriasis, like melanoma, is another diagnosis infrequently made by internists but was found in our study to be the second most common dermatologic topic published. With a prevalence of 1% to 3%, psoriasis is likely to be encountered by general practitioners. 10 Moreover, as a systemic inflammatory disease, psoriasis is compounded by psoriatic arthritis in 10% to 30% of cases. 10 Psoriasis has also been associated with a significantly increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease, possibly because of accelerated atherosclerosis in the setting of an inflammatory state. 11 These systemic manifestations, as well as the increasing prevalence of this dermatologic condition, make psoriasis a very relevant disease to internal medicine and the general medical journals. We acknowledge limitations in our study. Access to journal articles may have been limited by our university’s subscriptions, but all resources available were used to obtain articles. Certain articles that addressed multiple topics were categorized under one topic, considered the best fit by the reviewer. We referenced a study by Feldman et al, 2 who analyzed the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data from 1990 to 1994. Likely, diagnosing patterns of skin disease by internists may have changed since then, but to our knowledge, no similar analysis has yet been performed.

We believe our study achieved its primary purpose, to analyze the prevalence of common dermatologic topics published in high-impact general medical journals. We have demonstrated that certain dermatologic topics with increased relevance to internal medicine have greater numbers of publications. These findings are a testament to the value of these medical journals in providing relevant yet comprehensive information to general physicians, thus deserving the title of high-impact.

Acknowledgments

Kathleen Louden, ELS, of Louden Health Communications provided editorial assistance.

Disclosure Statement

Dr Wu received research funding from AbbVie, North Chicago, IL; Amgen Inc, Thousand Oaks, CA; Coherus Biosciences, Redwood City, CA; Eli Lilly, Indianapolis, IN; Merck, Whitehouse Station, NJ; and Pfizer, New York, NY, which were not directly related to this study. He is a consultant for AbbVie, North Chicago, IL; DUSA Pharmaceuticals Inc, Wilmington, MA; Eli Lilly, Indianapolis, IN; and Pfizer, New York, NY. Mr Choi and Mr Namavar have no conflicts of interest to disclose. No funding was received for this study.

Research in Dermatology

Stanford eb research.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare genetic skin disorder that causes extreme skin fragility, leading to recurrent blister formation with even minor trauma. There are three major forms of EB: EB simplex (EBS), Junctional EB (JEB), and Dystrophic EB (DEB). Each type of EB differs in severity and clinical presentation. Caring for all patients with EB requires a multidisciplinary approach.

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Stanford Dermatology Department's clinical trials unit is home to 12-15 ongoing clinical studies, investigating the safety and efficacy of new and currently available drugs and over-the-counter medications.  The  unit works with Stanford's own panel on medical research, leading pharmaceutical companies,and the Food and Drug Administration to safely and ethically expand the medical field's knowledge of dermatologic treatments.  New studies begin regularly, and the unit continues to recruit patients with skin aging, sun damage, skin cancer (including basal cell carcinomas), psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and other dermatologic diseases for ongoing studies.

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Our faculty and investigators conduct cutting-edge basic research and clinical trials and publish in the world’s leading dermatologic journals on skin, hair and nail disorders and diseases.

DRIVING INNOVATION IN DERMATOLOGY

UW Dermatology is one of the top funded research departments in the nation in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. Our faculty and investigators conduct cutting-edge basic research and clinical trials and publish in the world’s leading dermatologic journals on skin, hair and nail disorders and diseases.

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Faculty investigators have broad research interests, from basic science research related to dermatology and skin diseases, as well as translational research and clinical trials.

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The Department of Dermatology is home to several labs and centers that provide national stewardship on novel skin conditions, including cancer, and innovative tracking and treatment modalities. 

Featured Publication

How do we teach and talk about sun safety for children of all skin tones? Resident Dr. Anna Tappel and team have analyzed this question in a recent Pediatric Dermatology article: "Fair‐y Tales: An analysis of children’s books about sun safety". The authors found 17 children's books mentioning at least one sun safety practice. Most books featured several, but few featured all, of the AAD's sun protection guidelines, and there is much room for improvement in representing darker skin tones.

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Research By the Numbers

$18.5 m — current grant funding, 46,000+ — total citations, 7 — 2020 publications, uw derm publications 2015-2020.

The UW Derm team has been actively expanding our research productivity. Over the last 5 years, dermatology faculty, trainees and lab members have doubled their number of scholarly publications from 34 in 2015 to 72 in 2020.

Publications accounted for have at least one UW Derm affiliated author at the time of publication. Many publications have multiple UW Derm co-authors as well as co-author collaborators from within the UW Medicine system, the dermatology community in Seattle and across the nation. Of the articles published between 2015-2020, almost 40% were published in “high-impact” journals in dermatology, journals that are highly cited by fellow researchers in the field.

Individual articles are also widely accepted and referenced by fellow researchers, with all articles published from the Department having been cited by over 46,000 other articles.  

Active Research Projects

The Department of Dermatology currently has 16 active industry, NIH and foundation funded research projects and clinical trials, and faculty and trainees are currently pursuing independent research and scholarly work on over 100 projects and topics. Projects focus in a number of  areas related to dermatology , with some specifically including:

• Quality improvement projects including education and process improvements in dermatology (including teledermatology, interpreter services, volunteerism, mentorship and professional stewardship);
• Gender-equity among academic dermatologists and trainees;
• Dermatology needs for skin of color and LGBTQ community members
• New therapeutic and diagnosis strategies for skin conditions including hidradenitis suppurative, Liveoid vasculopathy, t-cell lymphoma, melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma

The Nghiem laboratory is simultaneously pursuing over 40 research questions related to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Merkel cell carcinoma. Some of their recent developments include changing the practice standards related to the surgical treatment of MCC and recent updates to the suggested approach to imaging for management of MCC in newly diagnosed patients. The team is also working to develop a therapeutic vaccine to prevent recurrence of MCC in patients for which initial surgery and/or radiation removes all evident cancer.

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The European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR), founded in 1970, is a non-profit organization promoting basic and clinical science related to dermatology. The ESDR is the largest investigative dermatology society in Europe with a current membership of over 1200.

By supporting investigative dermatology, the ESDR contributes towards improving the health of patients suffering from skin and venereal disease. Applications of recent scientific advances have produced diagnostic and therapeutic innovations in dermatological practice, particularly in genetics, skin cancer, allergic skin disease, infectious disease and autoimmune diseases.

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Assessing the efficacy of oral Tranexamic Acid as adjuvant of Topic Triple Combination Cream Therapy in Melasma: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

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Ocílio Ribeiro Gonçalves, Maria Clara Fogaça de Souza, Alice Volpato Rocha, Gabriel Silva Alves, João Luís Reis Freitas, Benjamim Barbosa de Azevedo, Milene Vitória Sampaio Sobral, Amanda Scrobot Handocha, Caroline Baima de Melo, Assessing the efficacy of oral Tranexamic Acid as adjuvant of Topic Triple Combination Cream Therapy in Melasma: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology , 2024;, llae226, https://doi.org/10.1093/ced/llae226

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Melasma is a skin pigmentation disorder that lacks consistent treatment success despite various methods used. Tranexamic Acid (TXA) has shown hypopigmentation properties, but whether TXA administration should be combined with standard treatment or not, is still not clarified. We aimed to perform an investigation of oral TXA effectiveness and safety as an adjuvant of Triple Combination Cream (TCC) Therapy in melasma.

We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Central for studies comparing TCC plus adjuvant TXA to TCC therapy alone in patients with melasma. Outcomes of interest included change from the baseline of Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI) score, recurrence of melasma and adverse events. Statistical analysis was performed using R Studio 4.3.2.

Four trials, involving 480 patients were included. In the pooled analysis, the decrease from baseline in the MASI score (mean difference [MD] -3.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] -5.85 to -0.35) was significantly higher in patients treated with oral tranexamic acid as an adjuvant to TCC compared to TCC alone. Melasma recurrence (RR 0.28; 95% CI 0.16-0.49) was significantly lower in the group treated with TCC and TXA. Regarding erythema (RR 0.63; 95% CI 0.34-1.17) and burning (RR 0.59; 95% CI 0.30-1.17), there was no significant difference.

This meta-analysis demonstrated statistically significant benefits of TCC plus TXA combination treatment compared with TCC alone. Furthermore, the results suggest that the addition of TXA to TCC therapy may reduce melasma recurrence.

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Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a non-contagious inflammatory skin condition. It is a chronic disease characterized by dry, itchy skin that can weep clear fluid when scratched. People with eczema also may be particularly susceptible to bacterial, viral, and fungal skin infections.

Why Is the Study of Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) a Priority for NIAID?

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin condition that affects an estimated 30 percent of the U.S. population, mostly children and adolescents. It is a chronic disease characterized by dry, itchy skin that can weep clear fluid when scratched. People with eczema also may be particularly susceptible to bacterial, viral, and fungal skin infections.

How Is NIAID Addressing This Critical Topic?

NIAID conducts and supports basic research in allergy and immunology that increases our understanding of the immune system and how it contributes to the development of atopic dermatitis and its complications. NIAID also funds patient-centered research to explore the genetic determinants of eczema and to evaluate new strategies to prevent and treat the disease.

News Releases

• NIH Study of Early Predictors, Mechanisms of Food Allergy and Eczema has Begun March 19, 2021
• Probiotic Skin Therapy Improves Eczema in Children, NIH Study Suggests September 9, 2020
• NIH-Supported Scientists Demonstrate How Genetic Variations Cause Eczema August 14, 2020

See all Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) related news releases

NIAID Now Blog

• NIAID Researchers Identify Link Between Common Chemicals and Eczema January 24, 2023
• NIAID Recognizes October as Eczema Awareness Month October 17, 2022
• Common Skin Bacteria Found Beneficial Against Drying, Aging February 4, 2022

See all Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) related NIAID Now posts

Volunteer for Clinical Trials

NIAID clinical research increases our understanding of how the immune system contributes to the development of atopic dermatitis, explores the genetic determinants of eczema, and evaluates new strategies to prevent and treat the disease.

Related Public Health and Government Information

To learn about risk factors for eczema, different types of eczema and current prevention and treatment strategies visit the National Library of Medicine page on eczema .

61 Best Dermatology Research Topics

If you are looking for dermatology research topics, we have some expert recommendations for you. Dermatology courses can be exciting but challenging, especially if you have to research and write a project paper.

Every student eventually seeks help in research writing online. When it comes to offering top-quality research writing services, HelpForHomework comes in handy.

Our company has tutors with vast experience writing dermatology assignments and offering tutoring services. You can trust us with any project which we deliver to the highest standards.

Need help doing your assignment?

How Do  We Select The Best Dermatology Research Topics?

Originality: Originality is an essential aspect of research writing. At HelpForHomework, we formulate unique topics for you to stand out above your peers. Further, we select shallowly researched topics that you can easily research more.

Feasibility: By testing feasibility, we always ask ourselves, “can this study be done?” When checking for the relevance of the topics, we also ask:

• Is the research topic relevant?
• Are these ideas sustainable?
• Is the political psychology research question possible to answer?
• Is the question manageable?

Appeal: When you select an exciting research topic, the project becomes easy to write. Further, your research becomes appealing to your audience during the presentation.

Expert Tip: After you have selected the dermatology research topic, contact our support for guidance through research writing. Also, you should contact your supervisor through the project to confirm that you follow the guidelines to the core.

Best Dermatology Research Topics

Finding the best dermatology research topics can be a hassle. But HelpForHomework is here to provide you with excellent suggestions.

• What are the risks of COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune
• Recent advances in acne vulgaris
• Problems of premature cessation of the anagen phase of the HF is going to re-enter the anagen phase again
• Advances in pattern baldness treatment
• Advances of systemic antifungal agents
• Herbal medicine in eczema treatment
• Importance of parental education in the treatment of childhood eczema
• Diagnosis prevention and treatment of hand eczema
• Acne vulgaris: History, current status, and future
• Skin disease and depression: a retrospective examination
• A review of your county’s dermatological association guidelines
• A review of skin problems and skincare for young children
• Advancement of nanocosmetics and nanomedicines
• Skincare management and educational aspects
• Role of vitamins in skincare

Excellent Dermatology Research Topics

Are you looking for excellent dermatology research topics? We have some recommendations for you.

• Advancement of cosmetic formulation of skincare products
• Analyzing skin problems for people with stomas
• Best skincare routine for old people
• Clinical benefits of advanced skincare routine in comparison to the traditional routine
• Current innovations of natural skincare ingredients
• Effects of skin-to-skin care during breastfeeding
• How does quality life affect routine skincare?
• Importance of skincare management in nursing homes
• Importance of skincare and assessment
• Management of atopic dermatitis
• The scientific basis of neonatal skincare
• Skincare for newborn
• Skincare of the diaper area skin: Children’s skin sensitivity
• The application of skincare products in acne treatment
• Use of bee products in dermatology and skincare

Interesting Dermatology Research Topics

If you have been searching for “interesting dermatology research topics,” your search ends here. Check the list below.

• A review on irritant contact dermatitis
• A review on photoallergic contact dermatitis
• A review on physical irritants dermatitis
• Advancement of virtual clinical trials in dermatology
• Allergic contact dermatitis to diapers
• Childhood atopic dermatitis prevention and treatment
• Current status of cosmetic dermatology
• Current use and potential of nanotechnology cosmetic dermatology
• Effects of shower therapy on patients with atopic dermatitis
•  Impacts of COVID-19 on dermatology clinical trials
• Implications of contact dermatitis to quality of life
• A systematic review of the current dermatology clinical trials
• Systemic contact dermatitis: Kids and ketchup
• The impacts of using dimethylaminoethanol in cosmetic dermatology
• Use of aloe vera in skincare

Expert Dermatology Research Topics

Finally, we have some expert dermatology research topics. Check them out and tell us what you think.

• Complication management in cosmetic dermatology
• Cosmetic dermatology of the aging skin
• The current state of imaging in dermatology
• Ethics in cosmetic dermatology
• Impacts of COVID-19 on cosmetic dermatology
• Legal issues in your country relating to cosmetic dermatology
• Outcomes of resident cosmetic dermatology training
• Phototherapy in cosmetic dermatology
• Safe cosmetic dermatology practices: Following cosmetic laws
• Social media role in cosmetic dermatology
• The standard genetics tests for skin conditions
• The use of artificial intelligence in cosmetic dermatology: Current and future trends
• The use of cosmetic products in treating atopic dermatitis
• Trends in aesthetic and cosmetic dermatology
•  Use of radiofrequency in cosmetic dermatology
• What’s new in cosmetic dermatology

Final Verdict

When you have overwhelming assignments and you have other tasks to do, contact us and let us help you. We understand how mind-boggling topic selection and research writing can be. For that reason, we have invested in a team of writers to help you with your projects.

Contact us, and let’s get started.

Also check out midwifery research topics. 

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• General Dermatology
• Actinic Keratosis
• Precision Medicine and Biologics
• Rare Disease
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Atopic Dermatitis
• Skin Cancer
• Hidradenitis Suppurativa
• Pigmentary Disorders
• Pediatric Dermatology
• Practice Management

What to Expect at the 2024 Revolutionizing Alopecia Areata, Vitiligo, and Eczema Conference

The inaugural RAVE conference begins today in Chicago, Illinois.

Image credit: RAVE

The inaugural 2024 Revolutionizing Alopecia Areata, Vitiligo, and Eczema (RAVE) conference kicks off today in Chicago, Illinois, and concludes on Monday, June 10th. The previous Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis (RAD) conference has had an exciting upgrade to RAVE to include presentations on alopecia areata and vitiligo.

The 2024 RAVE meeting is split into 3 distinct congresses: Revolutionizing Vitiligo (ReV), Revolutionizing Alopecia Areata (RAA), and RAD. Nanette Silverberg, MD, chief of pediatric dermatology for the Mount Sinai Health System and site director of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York, is the chair of ReV; Brett King, MD, PhD, associate professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine in Connecticut, is the chair of RAA; and Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, professor of dermatology and director of clinical research and contact dermatitis at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, DC, and the founder and chairman of the Foundation for Dermatology Education, is the chair of RAD.

Jonathan Silverberg founded the Foundation for Dermatology Education in 2020, which oversees the RAA, ReV, and RAD meetings. 1 The goal of this year’s RAVE conference is to “broaden our reach to include a deep understanding of all these conditions and learn about the latest treatment interventions to optimize patient outcomes.” 2

Dermatology Times  will feature interviews throughout the weekend from leaders in dermatology including:

• Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, associate professor at the Rosalind Franklin University Chicago Medical School, founder and director of the Center for Medical Dermatology and Immunology Research, and Dermatology Times’ Fall 2024 Editor in Chief, who will present the sessions “How Do Approved Therapies Stack Up,” “Can We Achieve Remission With Our Current Therapies,” and numerous late-breaking abstracts.
• Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, professor of dermatology and director of clinical research and contact dermatitis at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, who will present the sessions “Systemic Therapies Coming Soon,” “Two-for-One: Managing Atopic Comorbidities for Atopic Dermatitis,” “Battle of the Two Titans,” and numerous late-breaking abstracts.
• Nanette Silverberg, MD, chief of pediatric dermatology for the Mount Sinai Health System and site director of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Beth Israel, who will present the sessions “Topical Therapeutics for Vitiligo,” “Excellence in Vitiligo Clinical Practice” and an atopic dermatitis late-breaking abstract.
• Melinda Gooderham, MSc, MD, FRCPC, medical director at the SKiN Centre for Dermatology in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, who will present the sessions “New Pathways Being Explored in Atopic Dermatitis,” “Battle of the Two Titans,” and an atopic dermatitis late-breaking abstract.
• Gil Yosipovitch, MD, professor and Stiefel Chair of medical dermatology in the Dr. Phillip Frost department of dermatology and cutaneous surgery at the University of Miami, and director of the Miami Itch Center, who will present the session “State of the Art in Assessing Itch and Sleep in Atopic Dermatitis.”
• Robert Sidbury, MD, MPH, professor in the department of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine and chief of the Division of Dermatology at Seattle Children’s Hospital, who will present the session “Hot Topic: Guideline Update from Around the World.”

The inaugural 2-day conference is full of late-breaking data, informative presentations, panel discussions, live debates, and networking opportunities. Dermatology Times will cover the conference live in person, reporting on engaging sessions and conducting exclusive interviews with experts in the field. Some of the upcoming content from RAVE includes:

• Autoimmune comorbidities of atopic dermatitis
• Topical therapeutics for vitiligo
• Comparing approved therapies in atopic dermatitis
• Exploring new pathways in atopic dermatitis
• Efficacy of ritlecitinib for alopecia areata
• Assessing itch and sleep in patients with atopic dermatitis

Click here to view the full RAVE agenda.

Leading dermatology experts will discuss new data, treatments, and approaches in alopecia areata, vitiligo, and atopic dermatitis. Keep up to date with the latest in coverage from the 2024 RAVE conference and  subscribe to Dermatology Times to receive daily email updates , and follow along on social media on LinkedIn , Facebook , and X .

• About FDE. The Foundation for Dermatology Education. Accessed June 7, 2024. https://fde.health/about-fde
• New in 2024. Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis. Accessed June 7, 2024. https://revolutionizingad.com/

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• Patient Care & Health Information
• Diseases & Conditions
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

To diagnose atopic dermatitis, your health care provider will likely talk with you about your symptoms, examine your skin and review your medical history. You may need tests to identify allergies and rule out other skin diseases.

If you think a certain food caused your child's rash, ask your health care provider about potential food allergies.

Patch testing

Your doctor may recommend patch testing on your skin. In this test, small amounts of different substances are applied to your skin and then covered. During visits over the next few days, the doctor looks at your skin for signs of a reaction. Patch testing can help diagnose specific types of allergies causing your dermatitis.

Treatment of atopic dermatitis may start with regular moisturizing and other self-care habits. If these don't help, your health care provider might suggest medicated creams that control itching and help repair skin. These are sometimes combined with other treatments.

Atopic dermatitis can be persistent. You may need to try various treatments over months or years to control it. And even if treatment is successful, symptoms may return (flare).

Medications

Medicated products applied to the skin. Many options are available to help control itching and repair the skin. Products are available in various strengths and as creams, gels and ointments. Talk with your health care provider about the options and your preferences. Whatever you use, apply it as directed (often twice a day), before you moisturize. Overuse of a corticosteroid product applied to the skin may cause side effects, such as thinning skin.

Creams or ointments with a calcineurin inhibitor might be a good option for those over age 2. Examples include tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel). Apply it as directed, before you moisturize. Avoid strong sunlight when using these products.

The Food and Drug Administration requires that these products have a black box warning about the risk of lymphoma. This warning is based on rare cases of lymphoma among people using topical calcineurin inhibitors. After 10 years of study, no causal relationship between these products and lymphoma and no increased risk of cancer have been found.

• Drugs to fight infection. Your health care provider may prescribe antibiotic pills to treat an infection.
• Pills that control inflammation. For more-severe eczema, your health care provider may prescribe pills to help control your symptoms. Options might include cyclosporine, methotrexate, prednisone, mycophenolate and azathioprine. These pills are effective but can't be used long term because of potential serious side effects.
• Other options for severe eczema. The injectable biologics (monoclonal antibodies) dupilumab (Dupixent) and tralokinumab (Adbry) might be options for people with moderate to severe disease who don't respond well to other treatment. Studies show that it's safe and effective in easing the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. Dupilumab is for people over age 6. Tralokinumab is for adults.
• Wet dressings. An effective, intensive treatment for severe eczema involves applying a corticosteroid ointment and sealing in the medication with a wrap of wet gauze topped with a layer of dry gauze. Sometimes this is done in a hospital for people with widespread lesions because it's labor intensive and requires nursing expertise. Or ask your health care provider about learning how to use this technique at home safely.

Light therapy. This treatment is used for people who either don't get better with topical treatments or rapidly flare again after treatment. The simplest form of light therapy (phototherapy) involves exposing the affected area to controlled amounts of natural sunlight. Other forms use artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) and narrow band ultraviolet B (UVB) alone or with drugs.

Though effective, long-term light therapy has harmful effects, including premature skin aging, changes in skin color (hyperpigmentation) and an increased risk of skin cancer. For these reasons, phototherapy is less commonly used in young children and is not given to infants. Talk with your health care provider about the pros and cons of light therapy.

• Counseling. If you're embarrassed or frustrated by your skin condition, it can help to talk with a therapist or other counselor.
• Relaxation, behavior modification and biofeedback. These approaches may help people who scratch out of habit.

Baby eczema

Treatment for eczema in babies (infantile eczema) includes:

• Identifying and avoiding skin irritants
• Avoiding extreme temperatures
• Giving your baby a short bath in warm water and applying a cream or ointment while the skin is still damp

See your baby's health care provider if these steps don't improve the rash or it looks infected. Your baby might need a prescription medication to control the rash or treat an infection. Your health care provider might also recommend an oral antihistamine to help lessen the itch and cause drowsiness, which may be helpful for nighttime itching and discomfort. The type of antihistamine that causes drowsiness may negatively affect the school performance of some children.

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Clinical trials

Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Taking care of sensitive skin is the first step in treating atopic dermatitis and preventing flares. To help reduce itching and soothe inflamed skin, try these self-care measures:

• Moisturize your skin at least twice a day. Find a product or combination of products that works for you. You might try bath oils, creams, lotions, shea butter, ointments or sprays. For a child, the twice-a-day regimen might be an ointment before bedtime and a cream before school. Ointments are greasier and may sting less when applied. Choose products that are free of dyes, alcohols, fragrances and other ingredients that might irritate the skin. Allow the moisturizer to absorb into the skin before getting dressed.
• Apply an anti-itch cream to the affected area. A nonprescription cream containing at least 1% hydrocortisone can temporarily relieve the itch. Apply it no more than twice a day to the affected area before moisturizing. Once your reaction has improved, you may use this type of cream less often to prevent flares.
• Take an oral allergy or anti-itch medication. Options include nonprescription allergy medicines (antihistamines) — such as cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy) or fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy). Also, diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others) may be helpful if itching is severe. But it causes drowsiness, so it's better for bedtime. The type of antihistamine that causes drowsiness may negatively affect the school performance of some children.
• Don't scratch. Rather than scratching when you itch, try pressing on or patting the skin. Cover the itchy area if you can't keep from scratching it. Keep your nails trimmed. For children, it might help to trim their nails and have them wear socks or gloves at night.
• Take a daily bath or shower. Use warm, rather than hot, water. If you're taking a bath, sprinkle the water with colloidal oatmeal, which is finely ground oatmeal made for bathing (Aveeno, others). Soak for less than 10 minutes, then pat dry. Apply moisturizer while the skin is still damp (within three minutes).
• Use a gentle, nonsoap cleanser. Choose one without dyes, alcohols or fragrances. Harsh soaps can wash away your skin's natural oils. Be sure to rinse off the cleanser completely.

Take a bleach bath. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a bleach bath for relief from severe or frequent flares. Talk with your health care provider about whether this is a good option for you.

A diluted-bleach bath decreases bacteria on the skin and related infections. Add 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) of household bleach, not concentrated bleach, to a 40-gallon (151-liter) bathtub filled with warm water. Measurements are for a U.S.-standard-sized tub filled to the overflow drainage holes.

Soak from the neck down or just the affected areas for 5 to10 minutes. Don't put the head under water. Rinse off the bleach water with tap water. Take a bleach bath 2 to 3 times a week.

• Use a humidifier. Hot, dry indoor air can parch sensitive skin and worsen itching and flaking. A portable home humidifier or a humidifier attached to your furnace adds moisture to the air inside your home.
• Wear cool, smooth-textured clothing. Avoiding clothing that's rough, tight or scratchy. Also, in hot weather or while exercising, choose lightweight clothing that lets your skin breathe. When washing your clothing, avoid harsh detergents and fabric softeners added during the drying cycle.
• Treat stress and anxiety. Stress and other emotional disorders can worsen atopic dermatitis. Being aware of stress and anxiety and taking steps to improve your emotional health may help your skin too.
• Atopic dermatitis: Proper bathing can reduce itching
• Atopic dermatitis: Understand your triggers
• Ease stress to reduce eczema symptoms
• Can I exercise if I have atopic dermatitis?
• Eczema bleach bath: Can it improve my symptoms?
• How to treat baby eczema
• I have atopic dermatitis. How can I sleep better?

Alternative medicine

Many people with atopic dermatitis have tried alternative (integrative) medicine approaches to easing their symptoms. Some approaches are supported by clinical studies.

• Cannabinoids. When applied to skin, creams containing cannabinoids have been shown to ease itching and skin thickening. Several studies over more than 10 years showed some benefit.
• Natural oils. When added to bathwater, natural oils might help improve dry skin. Examples of such oils are soybean oil and mineral oil. Use caution with oils in a bathtub as they can make the tub slippery.
• Manuka honey. When applied to the skin, manuka honey has been shown to calm reactions on the skin. It has been used for centuries as an antimicrobial. Don't use in it on children under 1 year of age, as it carries the risk of infantile botulism.
• Acupuncture and acupressure. Several studies show that acupuncture and acupressure can reduce the itchiness of atopic dermatitis.

If you're considering alternative therapies, talk with your health care provider about their pros and cons.

Coping and support

Atopic dermatitis can make you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. It can be especially stressful, frustrating or embarrassing for adolescents and young adults. It can disrupt their sleep and even lead to depression.

Some people may find it helpful to talk with a therapist or other counselor, a family member, or a friend. Or it can be helpful to find a support group for people with eczema, who know what it's like to live with the condition.

Preparing for your appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your primary care provider. Or you may see a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions (dermatologist) or allergies (allergist).

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

• List your symptoms, when they occurred and how long they lasted. Also, it may help to list factors that triggered or worsened your symptoms — such as soaps or detergents, tobacco smoke, sweating, or long, hot showers.
• Make a list of all the medications, vitamins, supplements and herbs you're taking. Even better, take the original bottles and a list of the dosages and directions.
• List questions to ask your health care provider. Ask questions when you want something clarified.

For atopic dermatitis, some basic questions you might ask your health care provider include:

• What might be causing my symptoms?
• Are tests needed to confirm the diagnosis?
• What treatment do you recommend, if any?
• Is this condition temporary or chronic?
• Can I wait to see if the condition goes away on its own?
• What are the alternatives to the approach you're suggesting?
• What skin care routines do you recommend to improve my symptoms?

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask you a few questions. Being ready to answer them may free up time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your health care provider might ask:

• What are your symptoms and when did they start?
• Does anything seem to trigger your symptoms?
• Do you or any family members have allergies or asthma?
• Are you exposed to any possible irritants from your job or hobbies?
• Have you felt depressed or been under any unusual stress lately?
• Do you come in direct contact with pets or other animals?
• What products do you use on your skin, including soaps, lotions and cosmetics?
• What household cleaning products do you use?
• How much do your symptoms affect your quality of life, including your ability to sleep?
• What treatments have you tried so far? Has anything helped?
• How often do you shower or bathe?
• AskMayoExpert. Atopic dermatitis. Mayo Clinic; 2021.
• Chan LS, et al., eds. Complementary and alternative approaches II. In: Atopic Dermatitis: Inside Out or Outside In? Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 10, 2022.
• Eichenfield LF, et al. Current guidelines for the evaluation and management of atopic dermatitis: A comparison of the Joint Task Force Practice Parameter and American Academy of Dermatology guidelines. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; 2017; doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.01.009.
• Stander S. Atopic dermatitis. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2021; doi:10.1056/NEJMra2023911.
• American Academy of Dermatology Guidelines: Awareness of comorbidities associated with atopic dermatitis in adults. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2022; doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2022.01.009.
• Goldsmith LA, et al., eds. Atopic dermatitis. In: Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 9th ed. McGraw-Hill Education; 2019. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed May 9, 2022.
• Ash S, et al. Comparison of bleach, acetic acid, and other topical anti-infective treatments in pediatric atopic dermatitis: A retrospective cohort study on antibiotic exposure. Pediatric Dermatology. 2019; doi:10.1111/pde.13663.
• Eczema and bathing. National Eczema Association. https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/bathing. Accessed May 9, 2022.
• Lebwohl MG, et al. Atopic dermatitis. In: Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 9, 2022.
• Eczema in skin of color: What you need to know. https://nationaleczema.org/eczema-in-skin-of-color. Accessed May 9, 2019.
• Kelly AP, et al. Atopic dermatitis and other eczemas. In: Taylor and Kelly's Dermatology for Skin of Color. 2nd ed. McGraw Hill; 2016. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed May 9, 2022.
• Kelly AP, et al. Pediatrics. In: Taylor and Kelly's Dermatology for Skin of Color. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill Education; 2016. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed May 9, 2022.
• Chan LS, et al., eds. Complementary and alternative approaches I. In: Atopic Dermatitis: Inside Out or Outside In? Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 10, 2022.
• Chan LS, et al., eds. Topical therapies. In: Atopic Dermatitis: Inside Out or Outside In? Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 10, 2022.
• Schmitt BD. Eczema follow-up call. In: Pediatric Telephone Protocols: Office Version. 17th ed. American Academy of Pediatrics; 2021.
• Waldman RA, et al. Atopic dermatitis — Face. In: Dermatology for the Primary Care Provider. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 9, 2022.
• Chan LS, et al., eds. Therapeutic guideline overview. In: Atopic Dermatitis: Inside Out or Outside In? Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 10, 2022.
• Chan LS, et al., eds. Clinical evidence: External factors. In: Atopic Dermatitis: Inside Out or Outside In? Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 10, 2022.
• Sokumbi O (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. May 16, 2022.
• New drug for atopic dermatitis. AJN. 2022;122:18.
• Atopic dermatitis behind the knees
• Atopic dermatitis on the chest
• Atopic dermatitis: 6 ways to manage itchy skin
• Infantile eczema
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Eczema occurs in people of all ages

Associated Procedures

News from mayo clinic.

• Mayo Clinic Minute: Atopic dermatitis triggers and treatment Nov. 08, 2023, 03:20 p.m. CDT
• Could bioprinted skin uncover a new treatment for eczema? July 21, 2023, 02:06 p.m. CDT
• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Childhood eczema June 13, 2023, 03:00 p.m. CDT
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Eczema occurs in people of all ages Jan. 23, 2023, 05:15 p.m. CDT

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