Memphis Dermatologist George Woodbury MD on American Academy of Dermatology meeting New Orleans '23

by George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (03/27/2023)

Above, Mickey Woodbury, 4th year Medical Student at Harvard in the pre-Dermatology track (left) greets American Academy of Dermatology President Terry Cronin MD, from Melbourne, FL, and George Woodbury Jr. MD, Dermatologist Cordova TN, at the American Academy of Dermatology opening reception in New Orleans, LA, Thursday 03/16/2023.

Below, George Woodbury MD greets Becky Kamowitz, Director of Communications for the Skin Cancer Foundation, New York, New York. Dr. Woodbury is a Mission Fund supporter of this valuable organization, devoted to new research in treatment of Basal Cell Skin Cancer, Squamous Cell Skin Cancer, and Melanoma.

March 16-20 2023 brought 17,200 Dermatologists together for the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, in New Orleans, LA, looking at new developments in Acne Treatment, Eczema Treatment (Atopic Dermatitis Treatment), and Psoriasis Treatment. Let’s take a look at key new Dermatology Treatment, my perspective being that of a Memphis Dermatologist, in Cordova TN, near Germantown, Arlington, and Lakeland, with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, since 1993 (www.Rheumderm.com) (1-901-753-0168).

First, regarding Psoriasis treatment, Psoriasis is a genetically often itchy or sore skin condition of the elbows, knees, scalp, and neck, traditional therapy having focused on prescription topical steroid (meaning “on top of the skin”) creams and ointments, like Clobetasol, and intralesional or injectable steroids. Dermatologists have fortunately seen a true explosion of new Psoriasis treatment options, from injectable medications, like adalimumab (Humira®) and etanercept (Enbrel®), to over eleven biologic therapies, like ustekizumab (Stelara®) and ixekizumab (Taltz®), to newer Sotyktu (deucravacitinib), a promising new non-steroid JAK-1 inhibitor newly approved for stubborn Psoriasis, including Scalp Psoriasis, and even two new steroid-free creams, Vtama® (taparinof) and Zoryve® (Roflumilast).

In 2023, Dermatologists also have new Eczema treatment (Atopic Dermatitis treatment). Often starting in childhood, with dry scaly areas of the face, neck, arms, and legs, one new option is an injectable medication – Dupixent® (dupilumab) – to supplement traditional prescription steroid creams, and steroid-free medications, like Eucrisa™; Tacrolimus, and Pimecrolimus. Opzelura® Cream (Ruxolitinib), approved by the FDA for ages 12 and above, is a new topical JAK inhibitor working on the Interleukin system involved in itching. Upadacitinib (Rinvoq®) and abrocitinib (Cibinqo®) tablets, two promising new oral non-steroid JAK-1 inhibitors, show great promise for Atopic Dermatitis patients.

Dr. Woodbury and Nurse Kristen compare notes, at the entrance to Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018.

As a member of the American Contact Dermatitis Society, I offer Skin Allergy Patch Testing Memphis, at Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, Cordova, Tennessee (www.Rheumderm.com: 1-901-753-01680), a helpful way of searching for well-known culprit trigger chemicals for Contact Dermatitis, including preservatives, fragrances, dyes, and components of latex.

Acne treatment continues to improve, with newer forms of Vitamin A becoming available, including topical tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, and trifarotene (AKLIEF®), and a new oral antibiotic –Seysara®. We also have a new topical form of minocycline (Amzeeq®), and a promising new topical antiandrogen, clascoterone cream (Winlevi®).

Dermatologists also sometimes choose a 5 months’ course of oral isotretinoin Memphis (Accutane Memphis) – for people with severe acne or acne that keeps coming back (recurrent acne) – though this drug must not be used by people who may become pregnant during therapy – due to the risk of severe birth defects.

Below Dr. Woodbury greets Dr. Mark Kaufmann, Emeritus President of the American Academy of Dermatology, of New York, New York, and Mickey Woodbury, 4th year Medical Student at Harvard, at the opening reception of the American Academy of Dermatology meet