Dermatology Practice Today : General Interest

Help Your Dermatologist Help You

Raymond Shulstad — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:33:00 GMT

More dermatological procedures, such as biopsies and excisions, are being done in primary care settings than ever before. With this in mind I want to give everyone some food for thought as to how they can more accurately read the pathology. As clinicians...(read more)

Lessons in Follow-Up and More

Amy Gouley — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:14:00 GMT

A new patient (below), a 60-year-old woman, presented for "spongiotic dermatitis" diagnosed after a biopsy in March 2011. At the time, she received cortisone cream and no follow-up appointment. She comes to my office because she is concerned that the...(read more)

Spring Breakers Beware

Raymond Shulstad — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:36:00 GMT

As the universities and secondary schools are preparing for spring break, it is important that we are educated and educate our young patients on the dangers of ultraviolet exposure. I am going to focus this blog more specifically towards the use of tanning...(read more)

For the Love of Derm

Amy Gouley — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:40:00 GMT

(Above) Heart-shaped pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma on the back of a 71-year-old male. (Above) Heart-shaped Actintic Keratosis on the left forearm of an 88-year-old male. (Above) Heart-shaped squamous cell carcinoma on the lower leg of a 73-year-old male...(read more)

My Four Favorite Derm Cases

Amy Gouley — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:26:00 GMT

1. A patient presents with a new spot on the nose for 3 months. No history of skin cancer. I believe it's a BCC and path proves it's a SCC, WOW! 2. Ceruloderma, a drug-induced pigmentation secondary to Lupus medication. 3. "Show and Tell:" I love a zip...(read more)

Coping With Psoriasis 'Virtually'

NP Society of the DNA — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 11:45:00 GMT

This blog is brought to you by ADVANCE and DNA. The Dermatology Nurses' Association (DNA) will host a Virtual Psoriasis Symposium on Saturday, Nov. 10. This event offers a unique educational format for dermatology and primary care nurses as well as nurse...(read more)

What is Coolsculpting?

NP Society of the DNA — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:33:00 GMT

Editor's note: This blog post was written by Niki Bryn, APRN, DCNP, a member of the NP Society of the Dermatology Nurses' Association. Coolsculpting is an innovative method of noninvasive fat removal. Coolsculpting, with the trade name Zeltiq, was developed...(read more)

Catch-Up Time for AK Treatment

Amy Gouley — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 12:51:00 GMT

Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the colors of the leaves, cool brisk evenings, baking with pumpkins and Sunday soup making. Fall also just happens to be a favorite season of mine in the office, too. I call it "catch-up time" for a number of...(read more)

Your Smallest Patients

NP Society of the DNA — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:02:00 GMT

Finding the right regimen of skin care for your newborn patients, one that families and caretakers can easily follow, doesn't always jump out at you. The mom doesn't want to put an ointment on her newborn's scalp because his hair gets greasy, or the child...(read more)

Interviewing Tips From Someone Who Just Got Hired

Amy Gouley — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 18:45:00 GMT

I spent the better part of my summer interviewing for a new job, exploring other derm offices and traveling to different cities I was considering. I was surprised by the volume of offices looking to hire a dermatology PA or NP. I had a wonderful experience...(read more)

The Importance of Examination

NP Society of the DNA — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:28:00 GMT

A dear friend of mine recently informed me that her doctor confirmed she has melanoma. "I have always been a ‘moley' person," she explained, and proceeded to tell me that her doctor had removed six to seven "spots" from various places on her body. The...(read more)

A Vivid Reminder for Diagnosis

Amy Gouley — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:14:00 GMT

I felt extremely silly and subpar after reading my patient's pathology report. But it was a humbling experience and wonderful reminder that we can so easily get led down the wrong track of diagnosis based on how the patient subjectively explains his or...(read more)

PAs & NPs: Partners in Healthcare

Amy Gouley — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:17:00 GMT

I recently had the pleasure of spending 2 days following a nurse practitioner in Mount Vernon, Wash., at a very busy medical dermatology practice. The nurse practitioner graduated from the University of Tennesse and has been specializing in dermatology...(read more)

Making a Case for the Dermatology NP Portfolio

NP Society of the DNA — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:55:00 GMT

This blog is brought to you by ADVANCE and DNA. Editor's note: This blog post was written by Maggie Macy, NP, who practices in the occupational health and dermatology departments at Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Bedford,...(read more)

The Case of the Mysterious 'Bumps'

Amy Gouley — Thu, 31 May 2012 16:48:00 GMT

I love a good medical mystery case that challenges me. Dermatology is rewarding and fun because it's the only specialty that relies on vision and touch for diagnosis. One of my favorite cases in the past year involved a sweet underdeveloped 12-year-old...(read more)