Showing 1-20 of 84 for: Essential Evidence Topics > Dermatologic 
- Acne rosacea
Essential Evidence Topics, 3-Feb-2023
Overall Bottom Line: Consider a diagnosis of rosacea in adults over 30 years of age with fixed centrofacial erythema with periods of intensification or with phymatous changes. Diagnosis can also be made by the presence of two or more major features, which
- Acne vulgaris
Essential Evidence Topics, 4-Jan-2023
Overall Bottom Line: Classify acne as comedonal (primarily obstructive) or inflammatory (papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts). Topical retinoids are especially useful in preventing comedones and new acne lesions. For mild to moderate inflammatory ac
- Actinic keratosis
Essential Evidence Topics, 20-Jul-2022
Overall Bottom Line: Suspect actinic keratosis (AK) in patients with rough, scaly patches of skin in sun-exposed areas. Consider biopsy when lesions are ulcerated, bleeding, or persistent despite adequate treatment, or if there are concerns for overt cuta
- Alopecia and baldness
Essential Evidence Topics, 14-Jan-2022
Overall Bottom Line: Diagnosis of alopecia is based on history and physical findings; in unclear cases or when scarring alopecia is suspected, a skin biopsy is recommended. Minoxidil 5% topical solution (preferred initial therapy for men and women) and
- Aphthous stomatitis and ulcers
Essential Evidence Topics, 6-Feb-2022
Overall Bottom Line: Most patients with mild aphthae require no treatment or only periodic topical therapy (amlexanox, steroids, and tetracycline). There is no proven preventive therapy, although amlexanox may be beneficial if taken in the prodromal pha
- Atopic dermatitis and eczema
Essential Evidence Topics, 9-Dec-2022
Overall Bottom Line: The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (AD) is primarily based on history and clinical presentation of disease; there is no definitive diagnostic test. Findings that best rule in diagnosis are onset before age 2, visible flexural eczema
- Balanitis
Essential Evidence Topics, 6-Sep-2021
Overall Bottom Line: Balanitis is most often caused by candida and lichen sclerosis. Other causes of balanitis should be excluded by culture or blood tests when the onset is acute, or if vesicles or chancre is present. Biopsy should be ordered if sympto
- Behcet syndrome
Essential Evidence Topics, 15-Jan-2022
Overall Bottom Line: Consider the diagnosis of Behcet’s disease in patients with mucocutaneous lesions. Diagnosis is based upon the clinical criteria of the International Study Group. Treatment depends on the clinical presentation. Potentially useful dr
- Bite (insects and spiders)
Essential Evidence Topics, 26-May-2022
Overall Bottom Line: DEET-containing repellents offer the most protection from insect bites. Insecticide-treated clothing and bed nets reduce insect bites. Patients with prior severe systemic reactions to insect bites/stings should carry self-injectab
- Burns
Essential Evidence Topics, 25-Oct-2021
Overall Bottom Line: Assess patients with basic life support measures, and then assess the severity of the burn by estimating its depth and size. Obtain basic laboratory tests (CBC, electrolyte levels, renal function, UA, type and screen) and a chest x-
- Candidiasis (oral and esophageal)
Essential Evidence Topics, 29-Nov-2021
Overall Bottom Line: Suspect oropharyngeal or esophageal candidiasis in at-risk patients with pain or discomfort in the mouth, angles of the lips, or beneath an oral prosthesis; dysphagia or chest pain when swallowing. Visually examine the oropharynx; s
- Carbuncle, furuncle, and other skin abscess
Essential Evidence Topics, 19-Apr-2021
Overall Bottom Line: Purulent skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) present as furuncles (boils), carbuncles (interconnected boils), and abscesses. When clinical exam is uncertain, perform point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) to rule out the presence
- Cellulitis (non-orbital)
Essential Evidence Topics, 9-Dec-2022
Overall Bottom Line: Suspect (non-orbital) cellulitis in a patient with acutely expanding erythema, warmth, swelling, and tenderness of the skin. Clinical impression, while not highly accurate, remains the best way to diagnose cellulitis in a patient pre
- Cellulitis (periorbital and orbital)
Essential Evidence Topics, 7-Aug-2022
Overall Bottom Line: Orbital cellulitis should be suspected if proptosis, pain or limitation of extraocular movements, visual loss, and fever accompany eyelid erythema and swelling. If orbital cellulitis is suspected, an orbital CT with contrast should
- Contact dermatitis
Essential Evidence Topics, 20-Jul-2022
Overall Bottom Line: A thorough history and physical, focusing on exposure history and dermatitis pattern, is crucial for making the diagnosis of contact dermatitis. Barrier creams, moisturizers with high lipid content, cotton glove liners, and fabric s
- Cryosurgery of skin lesions
Essential Evidence Topics, 13-Feb-2022
Indications for procedure: Destruction of warts, molluscum, or condyloma as therapy. Destruction of actinic keratoses. Destruction of benign lesions for cosmetic reasons—skin tags, seborrheic keratoses. Decreasing pigmentation in lesions for cosmetic reas
- Cutaneous drug reaction
Essential Evidence Topics, 7-Jul-2021
Overall Bottom Line: Avoid unnecessary use of medications that may cause cutaneous drug eruptions, especially antibiotics. Make the diagnosis based on history and physical examination. Avoid repeat exposures for patients with Type 1 reactions or Steve
- Cutaneous larva migrans
Essential Evidence Topics, 21-Jul-2021
Overall Bottom Line: Obtain travel history pertaining to exposure to potentially contaminated soil or sand, particularly in warmer climates. Patients typically present with pruritic, reddish brown, serpiginous lesions, which advance several millimeters
- Decubitus ulcer and pressure sores
Essential Evidence Topics, 29-Jun-2021
Overall Bottom Line: Prevent pressure ulcers by recognizing high risk patients and situations. Avoid further damage from disinfectants such as alcohol, peroxide and iodine. Provide a moist environment to promote healing. Nutritional supplementation
- Dermatitis herpetiformis
Essential Evidence Topics, 8-Sep-2021
Overall Bottom Line: Suspect dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) in patients presenting with pruritic grouped papulovesicles distributed symmetrically in classical extensor areas, buttocks, back, or scalp. After an initial lesional biopsy demonstrating histop
