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Latest Dermatology Articles on PCE's The Exchange
Not All Moisturizers Are the Same
Posted By: 
Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
September 14, 2021
With summer coming to an end, the temperature will decrease, the humidity will lower, heaters will be turned on, and dry, cracked skin will appear. The term for abnormally dry skin is xerosis; it is seen year-round in the elderly population but can affect all ages and skin types—especially in the fall and winter months. The simplest treatment includes the daily use of a moisturizer. When giving advice to patients on which moisturizer to use, it is important to realize they are not all the s... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Controversies in Sunscreen – An Update
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
September 10, 2021
It is well established that too much ultraviolet radiation from the sun can damage the DNA in your skin cells, which can lead to premature aging and skin can... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Wrinkles in Time: Photoaging
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
June 22, 2021
As I enjoy my vacation in sunny Cabo San Lucas, sitting under my umbrella covered in sunscreen and SPF clothing, I am reminded of how much the sun can damage... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Encouraging Self-Exams for Early Detection of Skin Cancer
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
June 18, 2021
With the beginning of warmer weather and more time outdoors, it is the perfect time to begin reminding patients about the importance of sun protection and sk... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology, Oncology/Hematology
Using Biologic Therapy for Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
April 02, 2021
As mentioned in my previous post this week, atopic dermatitis (AD) affects more than 9.6 million children and about 16.5 million adults in the United States.... Continue Reading
Filed under: Allergy/Immunology, Dermatology
The Atopic Triad: Why It’s So Important to Collaborate With Colleagues
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
March 30, 2021
As spring approaches, there is an entire subset of seasonal medical problems that can affect our patients. Especially in dermatology, it is quite common at t... Continue Reading
Filed under: Allergy/Immunology, Dermatology
Biologics in Psoriasis
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
January 22, 2021
The current understanding of the pathogenesis of psoriasis has led to the development of many immune-mediating biologic medications that specifically target... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Understanding the Pathophysiology of Psoriasis
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
January 19, 2021
Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, recurrent, immune-mediated disease that affects more than 8 million people in the United States. It can occur at any ag... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Cutaneous Manifestations of COVID-19
Posted By: 
Lakshi M. Aldredge, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP
November 13, 2020
The COVID-19 virus has certainly perplexed the medical world with its various clinical presentations, responses to treatment, and the devastating toll it has... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology, Infectious Diseases
Phytophotodermatitis: Skin Rash With a Twist
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
October 21, 2020
Phytophotodermatitis, also known as the "margarita rash," is a commonly seen condition in the spring and summer months or any time a patient has had exposure... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Sign of the Times: Facial Mask Irritation
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
October 16, 2020
Masks trap moisture, sweat, oil, and dirt close to our skin. The resulting blemishes often include acne: small, inflamed bumps and irritation. Those irritati... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Making the Diagnosis
Posted By: 
Veronica Richardson, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP
August 28, 2020
For many providers, seeing "hair loss" as the chief complaint on a patient's chart can induce dread. Imagine how the patient feels if their clinician lacks... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Pyoderma Gangrenosum
Posted By: Veronica Richardson, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP
August 25, 2020
A patient presents to your clinic with a painful, rapidly expanding ulcer on a lower extremity. If pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) isn't on your differential, it s... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Documenting Skin Color in Medicine: Are We Unconsciously Racially Profiling?
Posted By: Lakshi M. Aldredge, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP
August 14, 2020
Practicing medicine in 2020 has certainly been challenging, especially given recent worldwide discussion on race relations. In a recent Dermatology Grand Rou... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology, Public Health
Sunscreen Updates
Posted By: Lakshi M. Aldredge, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP
August 11, 2020
Everyone knows they should protect their skin from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB exposure. The proper way to do so, however, has been the subject of muc... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology, Miscellaneous
Spironolactone Use in Adult Female Acne
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
July 31, 2020
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that is usually seen in adolescence. However, it is becoming more common past the teenage years, often affecting those... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Skin Manifestations of COVID-19
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
July 28, 2020
By now it is well known that COVID-19 is an illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that may lead to serious respiratory disease. The most common sy... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology, Infectious Diseases
Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
Posted By: 
Amanda Michaud, MMS, PA-C
July 24, 2020
Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), also called chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), is a condition when urticaria, or hives, are present for more than 6 wee... Continue Reading
Filed under: Allergy/Immunology, Dermatology
Using Topical Steroids Safely and Effectively
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
May 19, 2020
Since their introduction in early 1950s, topical corticosteroids (TCS) have become the drugs most commonly prescribed by dermatologists for outpatients and a... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Determining the Cause of Hair Loss
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
May 15, 2020
Hair loss, also known as alopecia, is one of the of most common disorders that dermatology practitioners diagnose and treat. With so many potential causes, i... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
March 03, 2020
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, debilitating, inflammatory disease of the hair follicle that usually develops after puberty. It presents with pai... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Sun Protection
Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
February 25, 2020
In the late 1970s, the promotion of sun protection was almost nonexistent, even though Swiss researcher, Franz Greiter, had developed the concept of sun prot... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
The Lowdown on Popular Psoriasis Medications
Posted By: Lakshi M. Aldredge, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP
February 21, 2020
These days, it seems that most of us can't avoid seeing a commercial for a psoriasis medication when watching our favorite shows. Most of the ad... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Atopic Dermatitis – It’s Not Just Skin Deep
Posted By: Lakshi M. Aldredge, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP
February 18, 2020
Atopic dermatitis (AD), or "eczema," is a common cutaneous disorder that most primary care clinicians see in their practices. Howev... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology