Category: Dermatology
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So You’ve Been (Abruptly) Terminated…
I discussed, among other things, my without cause, abrupt termination by my employer on the October 28, 2023 episode of The Podcast by KevinMD. I’m grateful to Kim Downey, a fierce advocate for physicians, and Kevin Pho, M.D., for facilitating this important conversation and helping bring it to a larger audience. Doctors need to know their jobs…
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The Steroid Dose Pack: A Blessing And A Curse
As of this writing, I’m post-op day #1 status-post nasal septoplasty with bilateral turbinate reduction and nasal valve repair (yikes, writing that reminded me of those 4am surgery intern days…). Part of my post-op medication regimen is a methylprednisolone dose pack. This is a commonly prescribed systemic corticosteroid that has easy instructions for how to…
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When Creams and Ointment Aren’t Cutting It: Dupilumab For Atopic Dermatitis
October is Eczema Awareness Month, so let’s keep talking eczema. Last Monday, I talked about the itch that unites all forms of eczema that can be so debilitating and crazy-making. I’ve cared for enough patient with eczema to know that itch should be classified as a type of pain. And many frustrated sufferers aren’t getting…
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Genital Warts Are No Joke, Kids — Get Vaccinated!
Genital warts (condyloma acuminatum) are no joke, kids. Get the HPV Vaccine! Not only can they be debilitating, embarrassing, and a risk to others, they are also caused by a virus, HPV, some strains of which are associated with higher risk of cervical and anal cancer, among others. But there is good news. We are fortunate…
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Am I Losing My Hair? — Men and Androgenetic Alopecia
😱 “Am I losing my hair?” 😱 If given enough time, we all eventually experience hair loss — at least that’s my take on it. In this post, I review the basics of the most common type of hair loss in men: androgenetic alopecia. A Quick Aside For Some Sports Talk It’s September in the…
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Observational Dermatology: a Likely Case of Pityriasis Versicolor
I love watching and playing tennis. I also can’t help but play a game I call “observational dermatology.” In this round, I discuss a likely a case of a common and benign but frustrating skin disease called pityriasis versicolor. This is Canadian tennis player and now U.S. Open Women’s Doubles Champion Erin Routliffe. Congratulations to…
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Advocacy In Action: Improving Eczema Action Plans
Living with any type of chronic eczema (e.g., atopic dermatitis as pictured above, dyshidrotic eczema, seborrheic dermatitis) is tough. A written Eczema Action Plan can help that accounts for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals can help. I’m honored and grateful for the invitation to participate in a National Eczema Association Roundtable on Eczema Action Plans taking…
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September is Alopecia (Hair Loss) Awareness Month — Let’s Talk About It!
September is Alopecia (Hair Loss) Awareness Month. In order to raise awareness about this important topic, I’ll be discussing it weekly over the next few weeks. Alopecia, while commonly confused for a specific disease (most often alopecia areata in my experience) rather than a general term, is simply the medical term for hair loss. 🏥…
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Retinoids To The Rescue
Retinoids to the rescue! Once in a while, I wake up to a gratifying reminder: thousands of dead skin cells that would otherwise be clogging my pores, giving me acne, and dulling my skin are ready to leap off my face and down the drain. Why? Just a bit of good ol’ Vitamin A. Diligent,…
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You Can Have Relief from Excessive, Uncontrollable Sweating
Hyperhidrosis (Hh) is a serious medical condition characterized by excessive, uncontrollable sweating. One of the best parts about being a dermatologist is the opportunity to solve a problem someone didn’t know could be solved. I bump into this opportunity relatively often with respect to excessive sweating. It’s not unusual for me to shake a patient’s hand…
