JMIR Dermatology

Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease characterized by nonscarring hair loss and a substantial clinical and psychosocial burden, yet it is still widely perceived as a purely cosmetic concern. In this viewpoint, we draw on the available Malaysian studies, selected international evidence, and our collective clinical experience to propose that AA warrants greater clinical, research, and policy attention in Malaysia. Malaysia-specific evidence remains limited and is derived largely from retrospective, single-center studies; nonetheless, the available data point to variable disease presentation, inconsistent use of standardized severity assessment, reliance on conventional therapies, substantial loss to follow-up, and a meaningful psychosocial impact among affected patients. Current local management appears to rely mainly on conventional therapies, while access to advanced therapies such as Janus kinase inhibitors remains constrained by affordability and reimbursement challenges. We therefore call for 5 priorities: strengthening Malaysia-specific epidemiological and real-world evidence, including through a national AA registry; adopting standardized disease-assessment tools in clinical studies and routine practice; integrating psychosocial support into AA care pathways; developing locally relevant clinical guidance; and improving public, clinician, and policymaker awareness that AA is a medical condition rather than a cosmetic concern. Together, these steps would support earlier diagnosis, more equitable access to effective treatment, and holistic, patient-centered care for adults and children living with AA in Malaysia.

Melanoma-related TikTok content lacks adequate skin of color representation and comprehensive educational content. This study found that engagement differed by content type, with response-style videos performing best and educational videos performing worst; in multivariate analysis, patient-created videos were also associated with higher engagement, while educational depth was not associated with engagement, suggesting that format, relatability, and presentation style may influence audience engagement more than educational depth, highlighting potential opportunities to improve the reach and inclusivity of melanoma-related health communication.

Chlamydia remains highly prevalent, and the prevalence of gonorrhea is increasing. Declining testing rates alongside rising positivity in Denmark highlights the need for accessible testing solutions. Self-test technologies (STTs) may reduce stigma and improve testing uptake.

Maldistribution of providers, differences in insurance coverage and acceptance, and underrepresentation of underserved patient populations in dermatology all affect patient access to dermatology services. Few studies have evaluated institutional models to address these pervasive gaps.

In this cross-sectional analysis of popular melanoma-related TikTok videos, physician-created, educational, and longer videos were associated with higher information quality and audience engagement, although overall DISCERN scores remained low and treatment guidance was frequently absent, highlighting opportunities to improve comprehensive, physician-led melanoma education on social media.

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Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer. In secondary care, patients enter a complex pathway, often involving excision. This multistage process likely has a significant carbon footprint, which has not been previously evaluated.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that can affect the quality of life of affected individuals. Publicly available online conversations and search behavior provide valuable insights into public awareness, understanding, and information related to AA. An infodemiology approach, therefore, offers an opportunity to characterize these perspectives across Gulf countries. This study evaluated the understanding and awareness of AA in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates based on AA-related mentions and internet searches.

Outdoor workers receive significantly more UV radiation exposure than indoor workers, increasing their skin cancer risk. Hispanic individuals comprise a large proportion of the outdoor workforce in the United States, but have limited access to culturally tailored prevention resources.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune, hair loss–inducing disease affecting individuals of all genders and ethnic backgrounds worldwide. As social media platforms and artificial intelligence chatbots increasingly influence patient behavior, individuals with AA may turn to these sources for treatment guidance.

In this analysis of Google Trends and TikTok content, public interest in anti-sun protection topics increased in recent years, while non–physician-created content demonstrated similar engagement but lower quality and viewer experience than physician-created content, highlighting a mismatch between public interest and information accuracy.