Wrapping Our HANDS Around Managing Chronic Hand Eczema
In this episode of Derms and Conditions, host Dr James Del Rosso speaks with Dr Linda Stein Gold, Director of Dermatology at Henry Ford Health, to unpack one of dermatology’s most frustrating and multifactorial conditions: chronic hand eczema.
They explore why chronic hand eczema isn’t a single disease but a spectrum of overlapping etiologies—ranging from atopic dermatitis and irritant or allergic contact dermatitis to more elusive triggers. Dr Stein Gold shares practical strategies for teasing out potential causes, discusses some potential limitations of patch testing, and highlights the importance of patient history and thorough skin assessment.
The conversation also covers current treatment approaches, from topical corticosteroids to systemic therapies, and introduces delgocitinib cream, a pan-JAK inhibitor under FDA review, as a unique and valuable nonsteroidal option. Drs Stein Gold and Del Rosso explain how its broad immunomodulatory action may help address the condition’s diverse inflammatory pathways while remaining well tolerated, even on fissured skin.
Whether you're managing stubborn cases or looking for updates on investigational therapies, this episode offers practice-ready recommendations for clinicians and a reminder not to overlook the emotional toll of hand eczema on patients’ daily lives.
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25:18
Oral Therapy for Psoriasis: Valuable Insights from April in April!
In this episode of Derms and Conditions, Dr James Q Del Rosso is joined by Dr April Armstrong, Chair of Dermatology at UCLA, for a thorough discussion of oral therapies for plaque psoriasis—what’s new, what still works, and how to choose the right treatment for the right patient.
They kick off with a practical discussion on older systemic options like methotrexate and
cyclosporine, including when these tried-and-true agents still have a place in modern practice.
From there, Dr Armstrong walks through the evolving role of apremilast, particularly in hard-to-
treat variants like palmoplantar pustulosis and in patients with milder disease who prefer oral
options. The pair then take listeners through the clinical data behind deucravacitinib, a selective
TYK2 inhibitor, highlighting its strong efficacy, minimal lab monitoring, and newly released five-
year safety results.
The conversation also covers real-world patient selection, payer considerations, and how
clinicians can use guidelines to support access to newer therapies. Whether you’re looking to
refine your psoriasis treatment strategy or better counsel patients on long-term safety, this
episode delivers practical pearls you can use in clinic tomorrow.
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22:09
Whom Do You Trust? Learn More About Trusts & Wills
In this episode of Derms and Conditions, Dr James Q. Del Rosso shifts gears from clinical
dermatology to something equally important but rarely discussed—legal and financial planning.
He’s joined by his longtime friend and dermatopathologist, Dr Clay Cockerell, who also happens
to be a licensed attorney with a passion for educating physicians about estate planning.
Dr Cockerell breaks down the fundamentals of trusts, wills, and malpractice insurance in plain
language, highlighting why every physician should care about these topics. Listeners will learn
the key differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts, how to protect assets from
creditors, and why picking the right trustee is critical.
They also dive into the historical roots of trusts (spoiler: think the Crusades), fiduciary responsibilities, and how physicians can control the distribution of assets during and after their lifetimes.
The conversation also covers non-compete clauses, contract negotiations, and the importance
of tail coverage in malpractice policies. Dr Cockerell shares real-world advice from his own
experience and emphasizes why physicians—especially new grads—should never sign contracts without legal review.
Packed with practical insights, humor, and a few personal anecdotes, this episode offers a
must-hear legal primer for dermatology professionals at any career stage.
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23:36
Atopic Dermatitis in Kids: Non-Steroidal Advances with Dr Lisa Swanson Episode Summary
In this episode of Derms and Conditions, Dr James Q. Del Rosso welcomes back his
longtime friend and pediatric dermatology expert, Dr Lisa Swanson. Together, they
explore the rapidly evolving treatment landscape for pediatric atopic dermatitis, with a
focus on newly approved non-steroidal topical therapies.
Dr Swanson shares her insights on tapinarof 1% cream, now FDA-approved for patients
as young as two years old, and topical roflumilast 0.15% cream, approved down to age
six. The duo discusses how aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonism makes tapinarof
effective in both atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, likening its action to a “SNOO” that
adjusts to soothe inflammation.
They also dive into data from the ADORING 1 and ADORING 2 phase 3 trials,
highlighting tapinarof’s rapid reduction in itch and its positive impact on sleep—critical
outcomes for both children and their parents. Dr Swanson offers real-world anecdotes
about the sleep-depriving toll of pediatric eczema and how effective therapies can
restore rest for the entire family.
The conversation touches on skin of color considerations, including how atopic
dermatitis may present differently and why diverse representation in clinical trials is
essential. Dr Swanson underscores the importance of tactile assessments and shares
practical pearls for evaluating eczema severity across skin types.
Finally, they explore safety and tolerability, emphasizing tapinarof’s low risk of systemic
absorption, even in young children prone to thumb-sucking or hand-to-mouth behavior.
Tune in for clinical pearls, new treatment insights, and a few laughs between two
dermatology BFFs.
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27:00
Poster Power: A Review of Selected Highlights from WCM25
In this episode of Derms and Conditions, host Dr James Q. Del Rosso returns from the 2025
Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference – Miami® with a deep dive into some of the standout
posters presented at the meeting.
Dr Del Rosso begins the review with new insights on topical clascoterone 1% cream and its
impact on the skin barrier, tolerability, and sebum reduction. He explores recent studies
showing that clascoterone does not compromise the permeability barrier or increase
transepidermal water loss—key considerations for its use alongside other acne treatments like
benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoids.
The analysis shifts to a comparative study on a triple combination acne therapy featuring
clindamycin 1.2%, adapalene 0.15%, and benzoyl peroxide 3.1%, which demonstrated superior
efficacy over dual-combination formulations. Dr Del Rosso breaks down early activity data,
inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion reductions, and how polymeric emulsion
technology enhances both efficacy and tolerability.
He also highlights new data on topical ruflomilast for atopic dermatitis in younger patients
(ages 2-5) and explores the recent FDA approval of tapinarof 1% cream for atopic dermatitis
down to age two. Posters on itch and sleep improvements in pediatric patients, as well as
efficacy in skin of color, provide valuable clinical insights.
Tune in for this rapid-fire breakdown of key posters, packed with data-driven takeaways to
enhance your dermatology practice.
Hear from the leading dermatologists and experts as they discuss the hottest topics in dermatology. Tune in for clinical practice tips and treatment pearls you can implement quickly and efficiently into your busy practices!
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