Memphis Dermatologist on What's New in Dermatology for 2022

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2022 is an exciting time. Dermatologists have much more effective therapy to offer patients for many common skin conditions, including Psoriasis, Eczema, Acne, and Actinic Keratosis. Let’s take a look at key treatment advances, from my experience as a Board-certified Dermatologist Cordova TN, near East Memphis, with 29 years experience with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates (www.Rheumderm.com), Cordova, TN.

First, regarding psoriasis, a genetically often itchy or sore sensitive skin condition affecting up to 3% of Americans, of the elbows, knees, scalp, and neck, with childhood or young adulthood onset and often associated with arthritis (joint inflammation):

Psoriasis, an autoimmune condition, traditionally managed with prescription topical (meaning “on top of the skin”) creams and ointments, like Clobetasol, or intralesional or injectable steroids, sometimes supplemented with courses of tablets: Otezla® (Apremilast), methotrexate, and Cyclosporine, or even light therapy, has seen a true explosion in psoriasis treatment options, from injectable medications, like adalimumab (Humira®), etanercept (Enbrel®), certolizumab (Cimzia®), infliximab (Remicade®), ustekizumab (Stelara®), brodalumab (Siliq®), secukinumab (Cosentyx®), ixekizumab (Taltz®) and guselkumab (Tremfya), making disabling skin psoriasis less common.

In 2021, Dermatologists also have many new options for managing Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis), or ‘winter itch.’ Often starting in childhood, with dry scaly areas of the face, neck, arms, and legs, one new option is an injectable medication – Dupixent® (dupilumab) – to supplement traditional prescription steroid creams and ointments, and steroid-free medications, like Eucrisa™, based on Boron technology; Tacrolimus, Pimecrolimus, and Atopiclair®.

As a member of the American Contact Dermatitis Society, I offer Skin Allergy Patch Testing, at Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, Cordova, Tennessee (www.Rheumderm.com: 1-901-753-01680), allowing us to search for well-known culprit trigger chemicals, like preservatives, fragrances, or dyes.

And then there’s Acne, an aggravating skin condition for teens and young adults and felt by many Dermatologists to be due to clogging of the openings of the oil glands, i.e. clogged pores. In 2022, Memphis Dermatologists like myself can now offer several new treatment strategies, for simple blackheads and whiteheads (comedones) to more severe pustules and cysts, to cut down on Acne scarring. Newer forms of Vitamin A have become available, including topical tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, and trifarotene (AKLIEF®), and a new oral antibiotic –Seysara®. We also have a new topical form of minocycline (Amzeeq®), and a promising new topical antiandrogen, called clascoterone cream (Winlevi®).

Dermatologists also sometimes choose a 5 months’ course of oral isotretinoin (Accutane) – for people with severe acne or acne that keeps coming back (recurrent acne) – though this drug must not be used by people who may become pregnant during therapy – due to the risk of severe birth defects.

Newer treatment options for hidradenitis suppurativa – a painful underarms inflammation – include adalimumab injections; for acne rosacea – include brimonidine gel (Mirvaso®); and ,for excess sweating – hyperhidrosis – include Qbrexa® (glycopyrrholate).

For precancerous growths - solar keratoses (actinic keratoses) - we now offer five FDA-approved therapies to supplement liquid nitrogen treatments (cryotherapy): topical 5-fluoruracil (Fluoroplex® and Efudex®), Diclofenac (Solareze®), imiquimod (Aladara®), isoeugenol mebutate (Picato®), and now also (abironone) Klisyri® gel.

And if you suffer from premature sun aging or wrinkles, we have options of Renova® and Retin A Micro Gel.

I have a special focus on my patients with complexion issues and sun damage because my family of four Dermatologists has been studying and manufacturing organic cleansers (AmberSoy™ Soap Gel) and Alpha-hydroxy Acid (AHA) moisturizer creams for Tennesseans for many years. In 2016, I became President of Big River Silk™ Skincare Inc., manufacturer and distributor of the Anti-wrinkle GlycoShea™ Creams (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com; 1-901-753-0168), to help patients with Eczema Memphis TN and Psoriasis Memphis.

So if you’re looking for a “Dermatologist Near Me Memphis”, or a “Dermatologist Near Me Cordova TN,” my own Dermatology Cordova TN practice is with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates (www.Rheumderm.com; 1-901-753-0168), Cordova, TN, a suburb of Memphis, TN. Or you can find a Dermatologist closer to you by going to the American Academy of Dermatology web site, AAD.org, then plugging your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab … because 2022 is a great year for you or your family members to get their skin conditions under good control.