Listening this week could save your life (well, at least your kidneys). Find out what common ingredient in keratin treatments you (and your friends, family and patients) NEED to avoid. But there's a lot more than that packed into this week's episode. As always, the Derms on Drugs bring the goods on the latest questions that the literature is answering:
-Is isotretinoin making kids short?
-Is Dupixent making them tall?
-What is "transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation" and which common but difficult derm disease does it help with?
-What OTC supplement makes NBUVB work better for vitiligo?
-What oral drug can you add to isotretinoin to make it work even better?
-Does oral tranexamic acid increase the risk of blood clots when used in dermatology?
-How well does Opzelura work for hidradenitis suppurativa?
-Do Humira biosimilars work as well as Humira in hidradenitis suppurativa?
-What common statistical technique used by pharma is total BS?
-Which ingredient in 'keratin treatments" is causing kidney failure and kidney stones?
Admit it—bad hair days are the worst. Now imagine every day is one. Alopecia’s psychological impact is way deeper (and more surprising) than most people think. This week, the Derms on Drugs sit down with Harvard’s Dr. Maryanne Makredes Senna to unpack the mental side of AA—and then dive into what to do when a JAK inhibitor just… doesn’t JAK. As always, we’re answering the questions you didn’t even know you had.
Here’s what we’re tackling:
What hits harder on anxiety and depression—scarring or non-scarring alopecia?
How tightly does AA severity track with psychological burden?
How should you approach the mental health effects of AA?
(Yes, you should ask. No, you shouldn’t be the one treating—here’s how to bridge patients to the right therapists.)
And what do you do when a JAK Inhibitor isn’t giving you the results you hoped for?
This week, the Derms on Drugs are back with another literature speed-run—think 3D chess meets derm nerd nirvana. We’re answering questions you didn’t even know you had (and a few you wish you didn’t).
Here’s what we’re tackling:
Do herbal supplements turn up dermatomyositis?
Can biologics cut down on blood clots in HS?
Wait… does Claritin supercharge isotretinoin?
Is Sotyktu stirring up rosacea?
How good is the new oral IL-23 inhibitor icotrokinra for psoriasis?
Any fresh weapons against demodex?
Anything new for those stubborn pemphigus oral lesions?
What to do when your patient is resistant to multiple botulinum toxins?
And—holy grail alert—can we actually prevent chemo-induced alopecia in breast cancer?
The Derms on Drugs are joined by Dr. Crystal Aguh from Johns Hopkins for an AMAZING discussion on central centrifugal scarring alopecia. From uber practical, cheap, safe, effective treatment approaches to deep science on what is happening in this disease, listen this week and you'll be an expert - how to talk to these patients, the baseline treatments everybody should be on, when to get more aggressive, when to step therapy back - the whole enchilada. We even throw in a little frontal fibrosing alopecia. Quite honestly one of the best episodes we've ever done. The Derms on Drugs learned new approaches to this disease and we promise, you will too!
Join us this week as the Derms on Drugs crew discusses the latest in the Dermatology literature. Topics for this episode include:
- Cutaneous vasculitis of the skin (it’s a Chapel Hill thing)
- Ozempic face, butt, and body
- TAC injections for AA – what concentration do you use?
- Does the MERLIN study deserve its magical name?
- Are systemic JAK inhibitors the answer for vitiligo?
- And everyone’s favorite – Demodex mites!
You don't see a lot of kids with psoriasis, but when you do it can be a big challenge, especially if it's bad and they need a systemic. The Derms on Drugs are coming to the rescue! We'll have a special guest - Dr. Doug Kress (who was heavily involved in training all three of the Derms on Drugs) who has enormous experience treating pediatric psoriasis. We'll get into all the stuff you really need to know:
-What systemic drugs are approved for psoriasis under the age of 18?
-What does the data say about which ones work the best?
-How good is Tremfya, the first IL-23 inhibitor approved in kids, and where will it fit?
-How is psoriasis in kids different from psoriasis in adults?
-What are the roles of the different topicals approved for psoriasis in kids?
-How do we think about therapy selection differently in kids vs adults?
-Do kids get psoriatic arthritis?
-What about shots vs pills in kids?
-How do you talk to parents about the different biologics for kids?
-How do you handle vaccines in kids who are psoriasis biologics?
-Do you ever use methotrexate in kids?
Brought to you by Scholars In Medicine
The Derms on Drugs take on the latest, greatest and coolest stuff from the Derm literature. Quite honestly, there was some stuff this week that just seems crazy and that you won't want to miss. Join us as we discuss questions like:
-Do tattoos protect people against melanoma?
-What cheap, easy topical works great for fissures in hand eczema?
-Is Dupixent safe in pregnancy?
-Are tinted sunscreens actually better than regular mineral sunscreens for melasma?
-If an alopecia areata patient has failed two or three JAKs, is it worth trying another one?
-What does the early data show for systemic JAK efficacy in vitiligo?
-Is there anything better than triamcinolone to inject keloids with?
-Does some crazy drug Patton found an article about work for hemodialysis associated itch?
So, join us for another episode that'll make you better at what you do while you're having fun listening!
Join the Derms on Drugs and Dr. Shanthi Narla as we dive into the world of obesity, GLP-1s and dermatology. Whatever you think about all of these topics, we promise that your patients are hearing about them, reading about them and will be asking about them. Specifically, we'll get into the latest data about how GLP-1s affect diseases like psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa and atopic dermatitis and we'll even touch on if dermatologists should be prescribing GLP-1s. So, while there aren't any definite answers out there yet, tune in this week and you'll be ready when these hot topics come up!
Join the Derms on Drugs as we slice and dice the latest dermatology literature. We've got stuff that will change what you do next week, answers for uncommon but challenging diseases and the latest updates on the pharma pipeline. We'll answer burning questions, like:
-When is the best time to start niacinamide for skin cancer prevention?
-Which drugs work the best for the itch of atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis?
-Is minoxidil 5 mg actually better than minoxidil 2.5 mg?
-What can do when for PLEVA that's not responding to the usual treatments?
-Is icotrokinra (the new oral IL-23 inhibitor) more effective than Sotyktu?
-What can you do for patients with skin involvement of systemic mastocytosis?
-Are there patients who really have both atopic dermatitis AND psoriasis?
-Opzelura just got approved down to age 2 - how well does it work in that age range?
Join the Derms on Drugs as we slice and dice the latest dermatology literature. We've got stuff that will change what you do next week, answers for uncommon but challenging diseases and the latest updates on the pharma pipeline. We'll answer burning questions, like:
-When is the best time to start niacinamide for skin cancer prevention?
-Which drugs work the best for the itch of atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis?
-Is minoxidil 5 mg actually better than minoxidil 2.5 mg?
-What can do when for PLEVA that's not responding to the usual treatments?
-Is icotrokinra (the new oral IL-23 inhibitor) more effective than Sotyktu?
-What can you do for patients with skin involvement of systemic mastocytosis?
-Are there patients who really have both atopic dermatitis AND psoriasis?
-Opzelura just got approved down to age 2 - how well does it work in that age range?
Ever wonder if you can trust those network meta-analyses (NMAs) flooding dermatology journals? Join the Derms on Drugs and University of Toronto expert Dr. Aaron Drucker for a critical deep dive into NMAs—what they are, how they work, and whether dermatologists should rely on them for treatment decisions.
NMAs promise head-to-head comparisons for drugs without having to do a head-to-head trial, especially in psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, atopic dermatitis, and soon alopecia areata. But here's the catch: different NMAs on the same topic can give conflicting results about which treatments work best.
In this episode, we tackle:
-What network meta-analyses actually measure and how they're conducted
-Why two NMAs can reach opposite conclusions about drug effectiveness
-Red flags to watch for when evaluating NMA quality and reliability
-Practical guidance for incorporating NMA findings into clinical practice
Perfect for dermatology providers, researchers, and pharma professionals who want to critically evaluate the evidence behind treatment guidelines. Tune in for expert analysis that might surprise you about this increasingly common research methodology.
Listen now to become a smarter consumer of dermatology research!
And be sure to discover more at Scholars In Medicine!
Welcome back to Derms on Drugs! Today we’re cracking open a six-pack—not IPAs, but papers.
We’ve got polyomavirus antibodies sneaking in as early markers for Merkel cell recurrence, collagen supplements promising to smooth wrinkles or just make your bank accounts smaller, and ruxolitinib cream stepping up for the disaster that is chronic hand eczema.
But wait—there’s more! Isotretinoin is back, this time for seb derm instead of acne, actinic cheilitis gets the meta-analysis glow-up, lentigo maligna sees radiation face off against imiquimod, and atopic dermatitis therapies can shake up the skin microbiome, but which ones do it better?
Six papers, one podcast, and probably at least three things you’ll be telling your colleagues about tomorrow. Let’s crack into it!
Join the Derms on Drugs and Dr. Marc Serota (who is triple boarded in dermatology, allergy and pediatrics) to find out the latest on how to think about the causes of chronic spontaneous urticaria - it can be autoimmune, it can literally be an "allergy to yourself" or it can be neither of the above. Crucially, there are clinical clues to which one it is, and if you can figure out which one it is, it helps predict the response to therapy!
So join us for a deep dive into CSU, and yes, there will be trivia at the end!
Visit the Scholars In Medicine website for more.
Get ahead of the curve with Derms on Drugs as we break down the most exciting new dermatology research! This week features game-changing studies including an oral probiotic with stunning results for atopic dermatitis, JAK inhibitors for bullous pemphigoid, and IL-23 inhibitors tackling guttate psoriasis.
Plus, we dive deep into:
Dermoscopy advances for managing longitudinal melanonychia
If failing an IL-13 inhibitor affects the chances of doing well on another IL-13 inhibitor
New data on IL-13 inhibitor induced conjunctivitis
Red light PDT efficacy for superficial basal cell carcinoma
Early systemic PDE4 inhibition strategies in psoriasis
Follicular event insights from tapinarof studies
PDE4 inhibition potential for vitiligo treatment
Perfect for dermatology providers who want cutting-edge clinical pearls they can apply immediately. Tune in for evidence-based insights, practical takeaways, and the signature Derms on Drugs commentary that keeps you engaged while staying current.
See more at ScholarsInMedicine.com
Stay at the forefront of dermatology with the Derms on Drugs and their special guest Dr. Scott Drew! This episode is a rapid-fire roundup of the latest journal pearls-perfect for busy practitioners looking to keep up with the latest evidence in the literature.
We cover:
Join us for concise, actionable updates and real-world pearls you can apply in clinic today. Whether you’re managing complex cases or keeping up with the literature, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.
Listen now and stay ahead in dermatology!
Older systemic drugs aren’t just relics—they’re critical tools for dermatologists tackling all kinds of medical diseases - whether we're talking about patients who can't access (or don't respond adequately) to our highly effective FDA approved drugs for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, hidradenitis or about patients with diseases that don't have an extremely effective FDA approved drug - things like lichen planus, granuloma annulare, dermatitis herpetiformis and many, many more. This week, we talk through dapsone, roflumilast, and acitretin.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Perfect for dermatology providers who want up-to-date, actionable advice on systemic therapy selection, risk monitoring, and patient communication. Whether you’re managing recalcitrant inflammatory disorders or optimizing care for common skin diseases, these “oldies but goodies” might be your next best move.
Tune in for clinical pearls and expert insights you can put to work in your practice!
The Derms on Drugs take on the latest, greatest and coolest stuff from the Derm literature. Quite honestly, there was some stuff this week that just seems crazy and that you won't want to miss. Join us as we discuss questions like:
-Do tattoos protect people against melanoma?
-What cheap, easy topical works great for fissures in hand eczema?
-Is Dupixent safe in pregnancy?
-Are tinted sunscreens actually better than regular mineral sunscreens for melasma?
-If an alopecia areata patient has failed two or three JAKs, is it worth trying another one?
-What does the early data show for systemic JAK efficacy in vitiligo?
-Is there anything better than triamcinolone to inject keloids with?
-Does some crazy drug Patton found an article about work for hemodialysis associated itch?
So, join us for another episode that'll make you better at what you do while you're having fun listening!
Older systemic drugs aren’t just relics—they’re critical tools for dermatologists tackling tough diseases like lichen planus, granuloma annulare, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and alopecia areata, especially when FDA-approved options fall short or are inaccessible. Join Derms on Drugs and guest expert Dr. Scott Drew as we share practical pearls for using methotrexate, mycophenolate, cyclosporine, dapsone, roflumilast, and more.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
--When and why to reach for these time-tested therapies in real-world practice
--How to monitor labs and counsel patients for safety and success
--Tips for discussing off-label treatments and navigating complex cases
Perfect for dermatology providers who want up-to-date, actionable advice on systemic therapy selection, risk monitoring, and patient communication. Whether you’re managing recalcitrant inflammatory disorders or optimizing care for common skin diseases, these “oldies but goodies” might be your next best move.
Tune in for clinical pearls and expert insights you can put to work in your practice!
Article titles:
1. Pulse azathioprine and low-dose methotrexate vs. standard-dose methotrexate in treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: a randomized controlled trial
2. Lower Oncogenic Risk with Dermatologic Use of Mycophenolate Mofetil Compared to Transplant Prophylaxis: A Retrospective Study
3. Drug Survival of Dupilumab, Methotrexate, and Cyclosporine A in Children With Atopic Dermatitis
Today on Derms on Drugs we’ve got the fabulous Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd with us, and yes—we’re talking sunscreens. Don’t roll your eyes, because we’re going way past “SPF 30 or 50?” into the good stuff: how these lotions and potions actually work, which myths need to finally get buried, and why tinted sunscreens aren’t just makeup but legit medicine for skin of color.
We’ll also dish on the brand-new Aussie rules for UV protection and spill which brands actually look good on darker skin without turning you into a ghost.
And because no episode is complete without it, we’ll detour into lifestyle hacks, chat a little nutrition, and finish with our usual trivia shenanigans.
So, grab your SPF (tinted or not, we don’t judge), and let’s dive in"
Welcome back to another episode of Derms on Drugs—where we prescribe only the highest yield practical pearls (and zero prior authorizations are ever required). If dermatology conferences make you yawn but a six-pack of journal articles gets your heart racing, you’re definitely in the right clinic!
What’s on Tap in Our 6 Pack Episode?
Today, we’re serving up a refreshing six-pack—no ice needed, but plenty of cool research to keep you hydrated with knowledge:
So scrub in, sit back, and let us put the “fun” in fundamentals as we break down the latest, greatest (and occasionally weirdest) in the world of clinical dermatology. Let’s pop open that six-pack and get started.
And for links to all of the articles we discussed in this episode, visit ScholarsInMedicine.com