Feature Channels: Dermatology

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Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., and nearly 20 Americans die from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, every day. As more Americans prepare to head outdoors for the 4th of July holiday, dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology have an important reminder: dress to protect yourself from the sun. In addition to seeking shade and applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing goes a long way in protecting you from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can increase your risk of skin cancer. However, not all clothing is created equal when it comes to sun protection, say dermatologists. Some garments provide better UV protection than others.

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This case series describes 20 children and adolescents who presented with new-onset acral inflammatory lesions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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A new study from Binghamton University, State University of New York may help to peel back the layers of unhealthy skin — at least metaphorically speaking — and get closer to a cure.

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With Father’s Day approaching, dermatologists are giving parents two thumbs up for keeping sun protection top of mind for their families. According to a new survey from the American Academy of Dermatology, 74% of parents today say they worry about sun protection more with their children than their parents did with them, and 90% of parents believe it’s important to teach their children healthy habits now so they will keep them when they are adults.

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Approximately 7.5 million people in the U.S. have psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory disease that mostly affects the skin and joints but could also affect the nails. According to dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology, most people who have plaque psoriasis — the most common form of psoriasis — also develop nail psoriasis at some point. This is why dermatologists say it’s important for psoriasis patients to check their nails — both their fingernails and toenails — for signs of nail psoriasis, which can include nail dents, lifting, discoloration, thickening and crumbling. However, it’s also possible for patients to experience nail psoriasis without having psoriasis on other parts of their body.

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A team led by Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine researchers has made two major discoveries involving psoriasis, a chronic and debilitating skin disease with no known cure.

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Study Could Help Doctors Understand and Treat Common Conditions

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For a while now, some plastic surgeons have been using stem cells to treat aging, sun-damaged skin. But while they’ve been getting good results, it’s been unclear exactly how these treatments – using adult stem cells harvested from the patient’s own body – work to rejuvenate “photoaged” facial skin.

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Upon exposure to human skin, ultraviolet light from the sun almost instantly generates two types of "lesions" that damage DNA. Scientists at UW Medicine in Seattle determined which of these lesions is responsible for activating a process that may increase cancerous mutations in cells.

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Skin cancer and skin infection are significantly more likely in solid organ transplant patients compared to patients with normal immune system function. Almost 40,000 organ transplants were performed in the United States in 2019, a 9% increase over 2018.

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Memorial Day — long considered the unofficial start of summer in the U.S. — is quickly approaching, and dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology are urging Americans to practice safe sun as they head outdoors, especially as shelter-in-place measures related to COVID-19 begin to lift. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., affecting one in five Americans in their lifetime, yet new data from the AAD shows that many Americans aren’t protecting themselves from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

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A recent survey from the George Washington University suggests that patients do not take social media into consideration when looking for a dermatologist and recommend that practitioners should use social media as a tool in engaging and educating patients.

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A recent survey from the GW Cancer Center found that enrollment in a supportive oncodermatology program is associated with a significantly improved quality of life score. The results are published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.

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Black patients with one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer are likely to experience a longer delay from diagnosis to surgery than non-Hispanic white (NHW) patients, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

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As more Americans head outdoors for warmer weather and fresh air amid “shelter-in-place” measures, dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology have an important reminder: practice safe sun. Skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, but new data from the AAD shows that many Americans aren’t taking the necessary steps to protect themselves.

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In what is believed to be a first-of-its-kind study to evaluate the safety of a type of immunotherapy before surgery in patients with an aggressive form of skin cancer, researchers report that the treatment eliminated pathologic evidence of cancer in nearly half of the study participants undergoing surgery. In patients whose tumors respond, this treatment approach offers the potential to reduce the extent of surgery and may also slow or eliminate tumor relapses that often occur after surgery.

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Results from a randomized phase 2 clinical trial examining the targeted therapy drugs dabrafenib and tremetinib in both continuous and intermittent treatment of patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma show continuous dosing yields superior progression free survival. A Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey investigator shares more on the work presented at the opening plenary session of the virtual AACR Annual Meeting.

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There is no evidence to support the recent speculation that traditional ultraviolet exposure is an effective treatment for COVID-19. This misinformation may encourage the public to seek UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds, inherently increasing their risk of skin cancer.

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Medications for lupus — a long-term autoimmune disease that occurs when a person’s immune system attacks different parts of their body, including their skin — are currently being explored as a treatment for COVID-19 patients. This may significantly limit access to the drugs by those who depend on it to manage their health conditions.

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As the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across the country, telemedicine visits — which allow patients to have an appointment with their doctor from the comfort and safety of their homes — are skyrocketing. This has created unique challenges for both patients and doctors alike as medicine quickly adapts to health care appointments via video conferencing, sending photos, and other virtual tools. This is why dermatologists — a specialty with more than two decades of experience in telemedicine — are stepping up to share tips to help patients across all medical specialties get the most out of their telemedicine appointments.

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The American Academy of Dermatology has announced the results of its annual election. The Academy’s new officers and board members will lead the world’s largest dermatologic society, representing more than 20,500 physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of skin, hair, and nail conditions. These officers and board members, all of whom are board-certified dermatologists, will also hold the same position for the American Academy of Dermatology Association, a sister organization to the AAD that focuses on government affairs, health policy, and practice information.

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Board-certified dermatologist Mark D. Kaufmann, MD, FAAD, has been elected to lead the American Academy of Dermatology. He will be installed as president-elect in March 2021 and hold the office of president for one year beginning in March 2022.

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A commonly expressed protein in skin – periostin – can directly activate itch-associated neurons in the skin. Blocking periostin receptors on these neurons reduced the itch response in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis, or eczema.

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American Academy of Dermatology recognizes Drs. Lindsay Ackerman and Craig Reeder with national “Patient Care Hero” awards

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Today, board-certified dermatologist Bruce H. Thiers, MD, FAAD, will begin his one-year term as president of the American Academy of Dermatology.

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Today, the American Academy of Dermatology installed two new officers and five new directors to its Board of Directors. The AAD’s new officers and board members will lead the world’s largest dermatologic society, representing more than 20,000 physicians specializing in the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of skin, hair, and nail conditions. They will also hold the same positions for the American Academy of Dermatology Association, a sister organization to the AAD that focuses on government affairs, health policy, and practice information.

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Advances in treatment have led to the largest yearly declines in deaths due to melanoma ever recorded for this skin cancer, results of a new study suggest.

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A team of University of California, Irvine researchers have published the first comprehensive overview of the major changes that occur in mammalian skin cells as they prepare to heal wounds. Results from the study provide a blueprint for future investigation into pathological conditions associated with poor wound healing, such as in diabetic patients.

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As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb, health officials have been urging Americans to wash their hands at every opportunity. Hand washing is critical to the effort to stop the spread of the virus. However, a side effect of frequent hand washing is dry skin that can flake, itch, crack and even bleed, say dermatologists at the American Academy of Dermatology, making consumers more susceptible to germs and other bacteria. Fortunately, there are simple precautions you can take to avoid excessive dryness due to handwashing.

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Now more than ever, hand-washing is important. As we work to battle the further spread of what is now a global pandemic, hand hygiene is our number weapon.

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For many women, wearing a weave or extensions is a great way to switch up their hairstyle, adding length, volume and even color. However, while these hairstyles offer a range of possibilities, dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology say wearing them can damage your natural hair and even cause hair loss if proper precautions and care are not taken.

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In a study to be published in the journal Nature Medicine, researchers report on using a skin cream infused with microscopic particles, named STAR particles, to potentially facilitate better treatment of skin diseases including psoriasis, warts, and certain types of skin cancer.

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Netherton syndrome is exacerbated by the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis living on human skin report University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers.

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An Indiana University scientist has identified eight new genomic regions that increase a person’s risk for skin cancer.

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Studying eczema, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that boosting the number of natural killer cells in the blood is a possible treatment strategy for the skin condition and also may help with related health problems, such as asthma.

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Social media smarts could make you less susceptible to skin cancer as new research shows that media literacy skills can help change people’s attitudes about what is believed to be the ‘tanned ideal’.

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In the largest study of skin cancer rates among gay, lesbian or bisexual individuals, investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital report important differences in skin cancer prevalence among sexual minorities.

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By the time they reach menopause — which officially begins one year after a woman’s last period — many women think they have their lives figured out. Careers are well established; children are grown and independent; and there’s more time for leisure and self-care. Yet many women in their 40s and 50s are surprised to suddenly notice changes on their skin, including acne and age spots. Fortunately, dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology say that while many of these changes are inevitable due to hormones, there is a lot women can do at home to lessen these effects.

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The UNM Department of Dermatology and the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center are hosting free skin cancer screenings around the state to address the state's dermatologist shortage. The next screening clinic will take place in Taos, N.M., on Feb. 29.

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A Western diet containing both high fat and high sugar can induce observable skin inflammation, a study by UC Davis Health researchers has found.

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A new study finds that one side effect of lupus could also make patients with the autoimmune condition more vulnerable to a skin infection, or spreading the infection to others.

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An interdisciplinary team of researchers at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has developed a medicated patch that can deliver immune checkpoint inhibitors and cold plasma directly to tumors to help boost the immune response and kill cancer cells.

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A study at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center showed that circulating tumor cells (CTCs), a form of liquid biopsy, was independently associated with melanoma relapse, suggesting CTC assessment may be useful in identifying patients at risk for relapse who could benefit from more aggressive therapy following primary treatment.

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Using an immunotherapy drug in combination with an infusion of anti-tumor immune cells may produce a stronger immune response that could help fight advanced melanoma.

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A new survey from dermatology and emergency medicine researchers at the George Washington University suggests that the dermatology community is inadequately prepared for a biological disaster and would benefit from a formal preparedness training program.

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Used for facial rejuvenation, dermal fillers do more than just fill in wrinkles. According to a new study in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), they also restore a more youthful pattern of facial movement and expressiveness.

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The Cutaneous Oncology Program at the GW Cancer Center was selected as the first global site for a clinical trial for patients with high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. The study, sponsored by Regeneron, will examine outcomes for patients treated with Libtayo® (cemiplimab) — an immunotherapy treatment — prior to surgery and radiation therapy.