Dermatology: Geriatrics

Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, 14th ed. by William D. James; Dirk M. Elston; James R. Treat et al, 2026. Medical science continues to progress with break-neck speed, which has necessitated many major changes to this edition. First, our understanding of the etiology of certain conditions has now led us to recategorize well-recognized disease states. Additionally, newly defined genetic syndromes and more complete understanding of older ones have led to additions such as nevus vascularis mixtus, phacomatosis spilosebacea, PLACK, SAM, and STAT6 gain-of-function syndromes as examples. Third, environmental changes have led to alterations in where we are seeing infectious disease states and influence heat- and cold-related conditions. Other changes in our world have led to new contact allergens and a reordering of the incidence of older allergens, the appearance of “Snapchat dysmorphia,” and xylazine necrosis. New devices, such as the 1726-nm laser, which provides selective photothermolysis of sebaceous glands, as a major intervention in acne, are reviewed. We make a special effort to emphasize special clinical characteristics or specific alterations in treatment needed when each condition affects patients with skin of color. Isaac Neuhaus has added updated videos and drawings while updating what is new in surgical dermatology. Molecular investigative techniques, technologic breakthroughs, and designer therapeutics lead the way in providing advances in our specialty. We cover the new understanding following from such discoveries as new tools for the diagnosis and treatment of lymphoma; new staging, diagnostic modalities, and treatment for melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers; new treatment paradigms for hair disorders; new biologics for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, itch, and hidradenitis suppurativa; and JAK inhibitors for alopecia area and vitiligo. As many biologic therapies are becoming available for diseases such as psoriasis, we present decision grids to help choose the appropriate drug for each patient. We discuss therapeutics in a fashion that emphasizes those interventions with the highest level of evidence, but also present less critically investigated therapeutic options. To care for our patients, we need a large array of options. Not all are fully supported by formal evidence, yet they are helpful to individual patients.

Geriatric Dermatology Update

Pressure Injuries and Chronic Wounds