JMIR Dermatology

Aquagenic pruritus (AP) is a rare itch disorder with limited effective treatments, and emerging clinical observations suggest that oral β-alanine may reduce symptoms. The purpose of this viewpoint is to propose a biologically plausible mechanism through which β-alanine may alleviate primary AP. We reviewed published case reports and patient-reported survey data describing β-alanine use in AP and integrated these clinical observations with experimental data on MAS-related G protein–coupled receptor D (MrgprD)–expressing sensory neurons and their role in mast-cell regulation. Published case reports describe marked improvement in water-induced pruritus following prophylactic oral β-alanine administration, and a recent survey of patients with idiopathic AP reported substantial symptom relief among β-alanine users. Preclinical data indicate that MrgprD-neuronal glutamate release suppresses mast cell hyperresponsiveness, suggesting a potential pathway for the observed antipruritic effect. Additional mechanisms, including β-alanine metabolism to carnosine and its potential mast cell–stabilizing effects, may also contribute. β-alanine may act through modulation of a nonhistaminergic neuroimmune circuit and represents a promising therapeutic candidate for further investigation in AP.

Cryosurgery is an effective treatment for benign lesions, although current unstandardized approaches may result in inadequate responses and unwanted adverse reactions. Monitoring treatment characteristics, lesion responses, and patient-reported outcomes using patient-derived mobile imaging may facilitate longitudinal treatment assessment.

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Dermal fillers are commonly used for facial augmentation, but delayed complications such as granulomatous inflammation and filler migration can mimic chronic bacterial infections such as cervicofacial actinomycosis and lead to diagnostic misdirection. We present the case of a 56-year-old woman with a chronic, draining abscess on the right cheek that persisted for three years and was initially suspected to represent cervicofacial actinomycosis. Tissue cultures were negative, and histopathologic analysis following excisional biopsy revealed polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres and hyaluronic acid surrounded by granulomatous inflammation and reactive lymphoid aggregates, consistent with a foreign body reaction to dermal filler. The patient experienced complete resolution after surgical excision. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges posed by delayed filler complications and highlights the importance of considering prior cosmetic procedures in patients with chronic facial abscesses.

In this analysis of dermatology e-consults at a large academic health system, advanced practice providers had nearly threefold higher conversion rates to in-person visits compared to board-certified dermatologists, with potential implications for access and resource utilization.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) has a relapsing and remitting nature and scheduled clinic visits only provide a snapshot of the skin condition at the moment.

Mental health is becoming increasingly recognized as an important part of overall health, especially for patients with cancer. However, the relationship between non-melanoma skin cancer and mental health has not been widely studied.

Topical minoxidil and oral finasteride are approved by the FDA for the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Concerns about adverse events related to the use of oral finasteride have led to some apprehension about the treatment. Topical finasteride, though not FDA-approved, has demonstrated efficacy and safety in a limited number of clinical trials and may be a promising alternative, such that compounding pharmacies and telehealth companies in the United States now offer access to topical finasteride for patients with AGA.

This cross-sectional survey study (63.5% response rate) characterized how patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) perceive and experience the effects of climate change on their AD. Most participants reported that environmental factors such as heat and air pollution worsened their AD and expressed a desire for climate-health education, yet few had discussed these concerns with their dermatologist. These findings reveal a gap in patient-centered dermatologic care and support the development of tools to integrate environmental health into atopic dermatitis management.

Large language models (LLMs) are becoming increasingly popular in clinical trial design but have been underutilized in research proposal development.

Understanding the burden of various skin diseases can help guide funding allocation for skin disease research. In 2015, Hagstrom and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional study that found partial correlation between United States (US) skin disease burden according to the 2010 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study and National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding from 2012-13.