Primary Care Dermatology Literature Feb 2026
Skin Research in Primary Care
Perception and Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Acne Vulgaris Patients
Laitfah Adel Albash, Omnia Abdulmanam Alali, Osama Zuhair Alkhars, Nasser Abdullah Almulhim, Alreem Alaa Albaqshi, Hussain Adel Alsakkak, Fatimah Hussain Almarri, Omar Abdulaziz Alsuwailem, Atheer Ahmad Alalawi, Heba Yousef Alojail, Hussain Sami Alwesaibie
Skin Appendage Disord. 2025 Dec 22. doi: 10.1159/000549533. Online ahead of print.
Abstract:
Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a chronic skin condition affecting adolescents and adults, often prompting patients to seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) due to dissatisfaction with conventional treatments. CAM usage is shaped by cultural beliefs and accessibility, but data in Saudi Arabia remain limited.
Conclusion: The study revealed moderate CAM use among acne patients, with nutritional supplements being the most common, with limited satisfaction and some reported side effects. Overall satisfaction with CAM remained low, emphasizing the need for better guidance and integration of safe, evidence-based alternative therapies in acne care.
Addressing potential bias when assessing safety of biologics and JAK inhibitors in atopic dermatitis
Lian F van der Gang, Keneshka Atash, Nicolaas P A Zuithoff, Inge M Haeck, Marlies de Graaf, Marjolein S de Bruin-Weller; all coauthors
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1111/jdv.70338. Online ahead of print.
No abstract available
Chronic pruritus of unknown origin: assessment and management in general practice
Chris Papas, Jim Muir, Lauren Chan
Br J Gen Pract. 2026 Jan 30;76(763):90-92. doi: 10.3399/BJGP.2025.0586. Print 2026 Feb 1.
No abstract available
Recognising obesity-related skin conditions in general practice: a practical guide
Alyssa Susanto, Christopher Robinson, Miranda Wallace, Jim Muir
Br J Gen Pract. 2026 Jan 30;76(763):93-95. doi: 10.3399/BJGP.2025.0601. Print 2026 Feb 1.
No abstract available
Berenike M Kern, Felix Aulenbacher, Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda, Jason E Hawkes, Emek Kocatürk, Philip H Li, Iman Nasr, Pascale Salameh, Hanna Bonnekoh, Pavel Kolkhir
Front Allergy. 2026 Jan 12:6:1732893. doi: 10.3389/falgy.2025.1732893. eCollection 2025.
Abstract:
Introduction: Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common, burdensome mast cell-mediated skin disease. However, little is known about physician estimation of the disease prevalence and clinical impact. This study assessed physicians' perceptions of CU and compared them with data from peer-reviewed literature.
Conclusion: Although physicians' estimations of CU prevalence and burden generally align with literature data, non-UCARE physicians may underestimate the burden and overestimate the prevalence. This might affect CU management in primary care potentially leading to a less effective treatment and underscores the need for increased urticaria awareness among non-UCARE physicians via publications, masterclasses, webinars, or other educational initiatives.
Zarqa Ali, Kenneth Thomsen, Christian Vestergaard, Simon Francis Thomsen
JMIR Dermatol. 2026 Jan 27:9:e72916. doi: 10.2196/72916.
Abstract:
Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) has a relapsing and remitting nature, and scheduled clinic visits only provide a snapshot of the skin condition at the moment.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the quality of patient-taken smartphone photographs of AD skin lesions and characterize patients using smartphone photographs as a tool to assist the physician to show disease activity in between consultations.
Conclusions: Patients with AD followed up on in an outpatient clinic often took good-quality photographs of their skin lesions before consultations with the intention of presenting them to the physician.
Giselle Mosnaim, Sarbjit S Saini, Michael Holden, David M Lang, Stephanie L Mehlis, Ewa H Schafer , Jonathan A Bernstein
J Allergy Clin Immunol Glob. 2025 Dec 17;5(2):100626. doi: 10.1016/j.jacig.2025.100626. eCollection 2026 Mar.
Abstract:
Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a debilitating condition of the skin that leads to significant negative impacts on patient quality of life and psychological well-being. Given the complexities of the disease, care of patients with CSU is not always optimal, which presents the medical community with an opportunity to improve.
Objectives: We sought to develop a greater understanding and better management of CSU using insights from real-world clinical practice.
Conclusions: Greater understanding of patient factors, physician perspectives, and avenues to improve quality of care will assist physicians in providing better care, improving quality of life for patients with CSU. This study is an opportunity to provide patients with CSU with better understanding, support, and treatment.
Alexander R Gomez-Lara, Adam Zakaria, Maria Elena Sanchez-Anguiano, Erin H Amerson
JAAD Int. 2025 Nov 27:24:338-341. doi: 10.1016/j.jdin.2025.11.016. eCollection 2026 Feb.
No abstract available
The Impact of Sleep Dysfunction on Inflammatory Skin Diseases: A Systematic Review
Tahani A Moafa, Mohammed E Mojiri, Khlood K Alattas, Ali M Sumayli, Esra H Alnujaidi, Maha O Alharbi, Ramis M Manni, Nawal H Hibili, Faris A Alomir, Faris M Almutairi, Saleh M Alhusayni
Cureus. 2025 Dec 19;17(12):e99598. doi: 10.7759/cureus.99598. eCollection 2025 Dec.
Abstract: Sleep disturbance is increasingly recognized as a major comorbidity in chronic inflammatory skin diseases, driven by altered sleep architecture, circadian disruption, and pruritus-related nocturnal symptoms that exacerbate disease activity and reduce quality of life. This systematic review of 13 studies (N ≈ 189,000) identified the prevalence, correlates, and clinical implications of sleep disturbance across major dermatologic conditions, focusing on atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis. In AD, poor sleep showed strong associations with higher Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) scores and greater pruritus intensity, with itch emerging as the primary predictor of sleep disruption. In psoriasis, poor sleep was closely linked to higher Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores and more severe pruritus, with depression mediating the impact of quality-of-life impairment on sleep. Genetic evidence further supported a causal relationship between insomnia and increased risk of AD and psoriasis. Collectively, findings reveal a bidirectional interplay in which nocturnal pruritus, emotional distress, and inflammation sustain one another, underscoring sleep disturbance as an integral component of dermatologic disease burden and highlighting the need for routine sleep assessment, targeted interventions, and longitudinal studies to determine whether improving sleep can reduce inflammatory activity and enhance patient outcomes.
Multimodal Machine Learning Approach for Diagnosing Atopic Dermatitis
Alida Widiawaty, Wresti Indriatmi, Wisnu Jatmiko, Endi Novianto, Aria Kekalih, Hendra Gunawan, Pramudita Satria Palar, Muhammad Febrian Rachmadi, Sherly Dermawan, Tengku Laras Malahayati, Alif Wicaksana Ramadhan
F1000Res. 2026 Feb 9:14:952. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.169102.2. eCollection 2025.
Abstract:
Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent, chronic inflammatory skin disease with diverse clinical presentations, often overlapping with other dermatoses. Its diagnosis remains largely dependent on clinical expertise, leading to variability and limited diagnostic accuracy, particularly among general practitioners. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a multimodal artificial intelligence (AI) model that integrates lesion image analysis and structured anamnesis to improve AD diagnosis.
Conclusions: The multimodal ResNet50-MPNet model shows near-perfect accuracy in diagnosing AD by mimicking clinician reasoning. It offers consistent, holistic assessment but requires external validation and improved interpretability for clinical adoption. Continued AI-clinician collaboration is vital to translating this promising technology into real-world dermatological care.
J González Fernández, M Ara-Martín, A P Ruiz-Cortegoso, L Prieto-Torres
Semergen. 2026 Feb 17;52(3):102720. doi: 10.1016/j.semerg.2026.102720.
Abstract:
Objective: To describe the comorbidity profile in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with biologics and their association with clinical phenotype and therapeutic choice.
Conclusions: Patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis have a high burden of comorbidities, with differential profiles according to phenotype. These results reinforce the need for a multidisciplinary approach and the role of primary care in screening and managing comorbidities to improve disease control and overall prognosis.
Mobile Dermatoscope Type in Patient-Performed Teledermoscopy: A Study Within A Trial
Deonna M Ackermann, Ellie Medcalf, Robin M Turner, Jolyn K Hersch, Monika Janda, Pascale Guitera, H Peter Soyer, Karen Bracken, Linda K Martin, Victoria Mar, Katy J L Bell
JAMA Dermatol. 2026 Feb 1;162(2):124-132. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.4792.
Abstract:
Objective: To compare a lower-cost, ambient-light, nonpolarized dermatoscope with a higher-cost, illuminated, polarized dermatoscope for patient-performed teledermoscopy following treatment for early-stage melanoma.
Conclusions and relevance: The results of this study within a trial indicate that both devices enabled patients to perform dermoscopy and receive teledermatology recommendations. The modest image quality advantages of the polarized device must be weighed against its substantially higher cost.
Disability and the dermatology patient- part 2: Supporting patients with disabilities
Sarah Kamsiah Zemlok, Sonal Muzumdar, Mary Wu Chang, Robert Krug, Brett Sloan
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2026 Mar;94(3):777-789. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.10.123.
Abstract: Dermatologic disease can result in disability. In part 2 of this CME article, we highlight disabilities that may result from dermatologic conditions. We introduce guidelines for caring for patients with disabilities including how to identify, assess, and document patients' disabilities and provide patient-centered care and support.
Jonathan Shapiro, Binyamin Greenfield, Itay Cohen, Roni P Dodiuk-Gad, Yuliya Valdman-Grinshpoun, Tamar Freud, Anna Lyakhovitsky, Ziad Khamaysi, Emily Avitan-Hersh
Diagnostics (Basel). 2026 Jan 25;16(3):384. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics16030384.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: AI models such as ChatGPT-4 have shown strong
performance in dermatology; however, the diagnostic value of AI-generated
clinical image descriptions remains underexplored. This study assesses whether
ChatGPT-4's image descriptions can support accurate dermatologic diagnosis and
evaluates their potential integration into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
system. Materials & Methods: In this Exploratory
cross-sectional study, we analyzed images and descriptions from teledermatology
consultations conducted between December 2023 and February 2024. ChatGPT-4
generated clinical descriptions for each image, which two senior dermatologists
then used to formulate differential diagnoses. Diagnoses based on ChatGPT-4's
output were compared to those derived from the original clinical notes written
by teledermatologists. Concordance was categorized as Top1 (exact match), Top3
(correct within top three), Partial, or No match. Results: The
study included 154 image descriptions from 67 male and 87 female patients, aged
0 to 93 years. ChatGPT-4 descriptions averaged 74.3 ± 33.1 words, compared to
7.9 ± 3.0 words for teledermatologists. At least one of the two dermatologists
achieved a Top 3 concordance rate of 82.5% using ChatGPT-4's descriptions and
85.3% with teledermatologist descriptions. Conclusions: Preliminary
findings highlight the potential integration of ChatGPT-4-generated
descriptions into EMRs to enhance documentation. Although AI descriptions were
longer, they did not enhance diagnostic accuracy, and expert validation
remained essential.
Daniel Lindsay, Shaun Stangl, Kiana Ronagh, Jessica Cameron, Richard Johns, Jim Muir, Louisa G Collins
Australas J Dermatol. 2026 Feb 11. doi: 10.1111/ajd.70063. Online ahead of print.
Abstract:
Background/objectives: The rising incidence of skin cancer places a significant burden on Australia's health workforce. To support workforce planning, we estimated the supply of dermatologists and general practitioners (GP) working in skin cancer medicine, service demand and need across Queensland in 2023.
Conclusions: Access to dermatology services is limited for Queensland residents living outside the southeast region, with few providers available within reasonable proximity. GPs are managing a growing skin cancer workload in Queensland. This could be eased by increased use of telemedicine, upskilling other health professionals in skin cancer medicine and improving care efficiency.
Fabio Zucchelli, Kerry Montgomery
BMJ Open. 2026 Feb 10;16(2):e094491. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-094491.
Abstract:
Objectives: Develop recommendations for multidisciplinary, multisector care providers involved in supporting individuals with alopecia areata (AA) to promote their well-being of these individuals. AA is a condition that causes hair loss on the scalp and, for some, the head or whole body and is associated with difficulties in psychosocial adjustment.
Conclusions: Medical professionals, mental health professionals, trichologists and peer support facilitators can each play a role in promoting the psychological well-being of individuals with AA. The distinct roles and skill sets of each group point to the need for a multidisciplinary approach to supporting the well-being of affected individuals.