Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common disease of childhood, and some patients experience a prolonged clinical course into adolescence and adulthood. Systemic management is required when AD is not adequately controlled with topical medications. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive review of commonly used systemic immunomodulating agents in childhood and adult AD, including cyclosporine A (CsA), azathioprine (AZA), methotrexate (MTX) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), which are prescribed off-label in the United States, as well as dupilumab, an FDA-approved biologic. We will also provide a brief overview of emerging systemic therapies currently under investigation.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common disease of childhood, and infantile AD may manifest from birth to 2 years. Guidelines for the management of infantile AD are lacking, and our aim is to provide a comprehensive review of best practices and possible interventions. We will focus on topical therapy, since the use of systemic immunomodulating agents in infantile AD is rarely advised. Topical agents include emollients, topical corticosteroids (TCS), topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), and phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE-4) inhibitors. We will also provide a brief overview of promising emerging therapies currently under investigation in the pediatric population.
<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Onychomadesis occurs when the nail plate separates from the nail matrix and nail bed, eventually leading to shedding of the nail. This condition has been attributed to viral infections, autoimmune disorders, drug side effects, and physical trauma. A subset of patients has a recurrent form of onychomadesis without a clear trigger; this phenomenon is not well characterized in the literature. <b><i>Case Presentation:</i></b> We present a case series of pediatric and adult patients with recurrent toenail onychomadesis in order to better characterize the disorder and explore possible etiologies, risk factors, and treatments. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> For the cases herein, we propose microtrauma associated with footwear as the underlying etiology given the periodicity of nail shedding, exclusion of other etiological factors, and presence of predisposing risk factors in certain patients. Many patients saw improvement with application of urea 40% cream, suggesting this can be a valuable part of a treatment strategy, in addition to minimizing injury to involved digits.
Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are the most commonly prescribed treatment for children with atopic dermatitis and are supported by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) atopic dermatitis treatment guidelines with level I strength A evidence; however, fear regarding their use, coined "steroid phobia," is widespread. In this study, we analyzed steroid phobia-related content on popular social media platforms. We found much of this content consists of patients describing negative personal experiences with TCS and subsequently discouraging viewer use. We conclude that social media may contribute to steroid phobia, and we hope that our study motivates dermatologists with social media platforms to combat common misconceptions surrounding TCS use.
Purpose of review The use of lasers in pediatric dermatology is well established, but recent literature has expanded the evidence for specific timelines of treatment. Additionally, new devices and combinations with medical therapy have improved outcomes and treatment options for various conditions. Recent findings Pulsed dye laser remains the first-line laser for vascular lesions. Recent guidelines support early initiation of laser treatment in port-wine birthmarks to optimize outcomes. For hemangiomas, laser treatment can offer a meaningful addition to oral propranolol therapy. Lasers with shorter wavelengths offer improved outcomes with decreased downtime for pigmented lesions. General anesthesia in the pediatric population continues to be a controversial topic, and the decision to perform laser under general versus topical anesthesia requires discussion with family of risks and benefits. Summary Primary care providers can benefit their patients by prompt referral to dermatology for discussion of laser treatment. Port-wine birthmarks require referral in the first weeks of life so that laser treatment can be initiated if appropriate. Although many dermatologic conditions cannot be completely cleared or cured with laser, treatment can offer meaningful outcomes and benefit for patients and families.
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