Dermatology News and Research

Latest Dermatology News and Research

European project receives €15 million to study phage-based therapies

Bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. One alternative is treatment with viruses that exclusively infect bacteria, known as phages.

25 Jun 2026

Prime and pull vaccine approach prevents genital herpes infection

Genital herpes is a lifelong infection. While available treatments can manage symptoms, they cannot cure the infection or prevent transmission.

22 Jun 2026

Genetic screening of LOXHD1 variants guides early hearing loss intervention

Hearing loss is a common cause of disability worldwide, with anywhere between 30-60% of cases being caused by genetic factors. LOXHD1 is a gene integral to essential protein interactions responsible for maintaining normal hair cell function.

11 Jun 2026

PET microplastics remain in lungs and worsen respiratory tract inflammation

Microplastics (MP) are the subject of intensive medical research, but little is yet known about their effects on the immune system.

29 May 2026

AI chatbots answer health questions with moderate overall accuracy

Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbots respond to everyday health-related questions from general users with nearly 76% accuracy, which raises concerns about their trustworthiness in real-world client-facing applications, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers.

28 May 2026

Childhood eczema may limit educational and career opportunities later

Atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common form of eczema, impacts patients' life trajectories beyond the physical scars.

28 May 2026

Hydroxychloroquine lowers heart risks in skin lupus patients

A study led by investigators from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that some patients with discoid lupus erythematosus - a form of skin lupus commonly diagnosed in young to middle-aged Black women that causes disc-shaped plaques to form on the body - were less likely to experience complications, such as diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease if they were prescribed hydroxychloroquine.

26 May 2026

New thermal imaging system detects early melanoma before it is visible

Detecting melanoma before it becomes visible is a major challenge in dermatology. Now, with researchers from Université de Montréal, scientists at Université du Québec's Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) have developed a promising solution.

25 May 2026

AI beats primary care doctors in simulated diagnosis study using images and ECGs

Multi-modal AMIE used state-aware reasoning to interpret patient history alongside skin photos, ECGs, and clinical documents during simulated telehealth consultations. In a blinded exploratory OSCE-style study, AMIE outperformed primary care physicians across most diagnostic, communication, empathy, and multimodal reasoning measures, but still requires real-world clinical validation.

17 May 2026

Why experts say PCOS needs a new name

A Lancet Health Policy paper reports an international consensus process that selected polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) as the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The change aims to shift the focus away from ovarian cysts and better reflect the condition’s endocrine, metabolic, and ovarian features.

13 May 2026

Chromosome abnormalities may help cancer cells resist treatment and spread

A new study led by NYU Langone Health researchers found that cancer cells are better able to resist treatments when they have an abnormal number of chromosomes, which are DNA strands wound up in bundles that control which genetic instructions are followed in each cell type.

7 May 2026

Chronic sunlight exposure disrupts body clocks in skin

Years of chronic exposure of human skin to sunlight strongly disrupts its body‑clock rhythm, according to a pioneering study led by University of Manchester, No7 Beauty Company, a member of The Boots Group, and University of Pennsylvania scientists.

6 May 2026

New evidence separates sensitive skin syndrome from rosacea condition

New research from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences provides evidence that sensitive skin syndrome (SSS) is biologically distinct from rosacea, helping clarify a long-standing debate in dermatology and potentially guiding more targeted treatment approaches.

5 May 2026

Brain pathways shape distinct itch responses in the face and body

In a new study, researchers from North Carolina State University show that itch sensations in the face are perceived differently from those in the body due to differences in signaling between trigeminal (located in the brain) and spinal pain pathways.

4 May 2026

AAD survey reveals Americans ignore sun risks despite skin cancer concerns

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) today released results from its annual Practice Safe Sun Survey, revealing many Americans still engage in risky sun behaviors driven by misinformation, social media, and persistent tanning myths despite their concerns about the long term aging effects of sun exposure. In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month (May) and Melanoma Monday® on May 4, the AAD is encouraging the public to practice safe sun to reduce their risk of skin cancer.

4 May 2026

Teen attitudes toward sun protection impact skin cancer prevention behaviors

A new study funded by the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health finds that how high school students perceive the costs of sun protection and the rewards of tanning play a significant role in whether they practice sun-safe behaviors.

21 Apr 2026

Superficial skin exposures pose a higher rabies risk than previously thought

While it was previously thought that keratinocytes (skin cells) were only passive conductors that allow the rabies virus to pass through, novel research reveals that these cells play a much more active role. The findings of a new study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (JID), published by Elsevier, provide direct evidence that keratinocytes can support viral replication and transmit the rabies virus to neurons. The investigators offer a mechanistic explanation for how superficial skin exposures from scratches or minor bites by dogs and bats can lead to neuroinvasion, contributing to the risk of infection.

16 Apr 2026

Registry data and AI can identify high risk populations for skin cancer

Healthcare registry data can show early risk patterns for melanoma skin cancer, according to a study from the University of Gothenburg.

15 Apr 2026

New skin atlas maps over one million cells across the human body

Mount Sinai researchers have published the first organ-wide human skin spatial atlas from across the body.

25 Mar 2026

Blocking a single protein could make hidden HPV-positive tumors vulnerable to treatment

A team of scientists at Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences have uncovered a mechanism that allows certain head and neck cancers to hide from the immune system, a discovery that could change how some of the most treatment resistant tumors are approached.

18 Mar 2026