Rethinking Prurigo Nodularis: From Neural Sensitization to Targeted Therapies
At the 2026 ODAC Dermatology conference, Dr. Adam Friedman opened his session on prurigo nodularis (PN) with a patient case that felt familiar to many of us. A patient with multiple nodules, relentless itch, and one central question. Why is this happening?
This patient case reminds us that prurigo nodularis is not simply the result of scratching or a sequela of another inflammatory disease. It …
At the 2026 ODAC Dermatology conference, Dr. Adam Friedman opened his session on prurigo nodularis (PN) with a patient case that felt familiar to many of us. A patient with multiple nodules, relentless itch, and one central question. Why is this happening?
This patient case reminds us that prurigo nodularis is not simply the result of scratching or a sequela of another inflammatory disease. It … Continue reading "Rethinking Prurigo Nodularis: From Neural Sensitization to Targeted Therapies"
At the 2026 ODAC Dermatology Conference, we had the privilege of learning about chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) from Dr. Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD, Professor and Chair of Dermatology at The George Washington University School of Medicine. CSU can be a maddening, exhausting condition for patients, with a relapsing disease course and without identifiable triggers. Given that symptoms are often abs … 
Originally published May 26, 2021; updated February 23, 2026 by the Next Steps in Derm Editorial Team with refreshed links and expanded guidance on treating nail disorders.
Just as pigmented lesions on the skin can vary widely from freckles to lentigines to nevi to melanoma, similar pigmented lesions can be seen in nails. Melanonychia, brown … 
Cultural sensitivity is needed in order to provide practical advice to pediatric patients experiencing traction alopecia, according to Dr. Brandi Kenner-Bell, associate professor of dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Next Steps in Derm, in partnership with Skin of Color Update, interviewed Dr. Kenner-Bell, who says it’s important for clinicians to … 
Electronic cigarette use (also known as vaping) is on the rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Data from the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey shows vaping increased from 4.5% in 2019 to 6.5% in 2023. While vaping is generally considered less harmful than traditional cigarette smoking, vaping is associated with acute lung injury and inflammation. Vapes contain cancer-ca …