Built by the doctorswho diagnose it daily
Every condition entry is authored, reviewed, and updated by FAAD-credentialed dermatologists. Not content writers. Not algorithms.
Dr. Priya Mehta, MD
Johns Hopkins Dermatology
18 years
Experience
47
Publications
"Patients deserve the same clarity in online resources that they get in my exam room — specific, evidence-based, and honest about uncertainty."
Dr. Marcus Webb, MD PhD
Mayo Clinic
22 years
Experience
89
Publications
"The gap between what patients find online and what we actually know is dangerous. Dermis closes that gap with peer-reviewed precision."
Dr. Keiko Tanaka, MD
UCSF Benioff Children's
14 years
Experience
31
Publications
"New parents at 2 a.m. deserve a resource that doesn't catastrophize a normal newborn rash. That's exactly why I contributed to this atlas."
47
Contributing Dermatologists
2,400+
Peer-Reviewed Entries
100%
FAAD Board-Certified
6mo
Review Cycle
A second opinion,for every condition
Each entry unfolds as a mini-consultation — clinical imagery at three severity stages, a treatment decision tree, and a dermatologist-authored urgency flag.
Clinical Presentation
Dr. Priya Mehta, MD FAAD
Johns Hopkins Dermatology
Acne vulgaris results from follicular hyperkeratinization, excess sebum production, Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, and inflammatory cytokine release. Severity ranges from comedonal to nodulo-cystic, with scarring risk increasing at moderate-to-severe stages.
Treatment Decision Tree
- Benzoyl peroxide 2.5–10%
- Retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene)
- Topical antibiotics (clindamycin)
- Azelaic acid 15–20%
- Chemical peels (salicylic, glycolic)
- Comedone extraction
- Intralesional corticosteroid injection
- Photodynamic therapy
- Oral antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline)
- Combined oral contraceptives (females)
- Spironolactone (females)
- Isotretinoin (severe/refractory)
When to See a Dermatologist
See a dermatologist if cystic lesions persist >6 weeks on OTC therapy, or if nodules are causing scarring.
Clinical Presentation
Dr. Keiko Tanaka, MD FAAD
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by impaired filaggrin-mediated barrier function, Th2-skewed immune response, and IgE sensitization. The itch-scratch cycle perpetuates inflammation and secondary infection risk. Triggers include irritants, allergens, stress, and temperature changes.
Treatment Decision Tree
- Emollient therapy (ceramide-based)
- Topical corticosteroids (class I–VII)
- Topical calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus, pimecrolimus)
- Crisaborole (PDE4 inhibitor)
- Wet wrap therapy
- Narrowband UVB phototherapy
- Dilute bleach baths (0.005%)
- Patch testing for allergens
- Dupilumab (IL-4/IL-13 blocker)
- Tralokinumab (IL-13)
- JAK inhibitors (abrocitinib, upadacitinib)
- Cyclosporine (short-term)
When to See a Dermatologist
Seek urgent care if signs of secondary infection (honey-colored crust, fever, rapid spread) or if eczema is not responding to prescription topicals.
Clinical Presentation
Dr. Marcus Webb, MD PhD FAAD
Mayo Clinic Dermatopathology
Melanoma arises from malignant transformation of melanocytes, driven by UV-induced BRAF/NRAS mutations and immune evasion. The ABCDE criteria (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolution) guide clinical recognition. Breslow thickness at diagnosis is the primary prognostic determinant. Five-year survival drops from >98% (localized) to 30% (distant metastasis).
Treatment Decision Tree
- Imiquimod (superficial only)
- Topical immunotherapy (experimental)
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ (prevention)
- No topical treatment for invasive melanoma
- Wide local excision (primary)
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy
- Mohs micrographic surgery (selected)
- Radiation therapy (adjuvant)
- BRAF/MEK inhibitors (vemurafenib + cobimetinib)
- Anti-PD-1 immunotherapy (pembrolizumab, nivolumab)
- CTLA-4 blockade (ipilimumab)
- Adjuvant therapy (Stage III)
When to See a Dermatologist
Any mole that changes in size, shape, or color — or any new dark lesion — requires dermatologist evaluation within 2 weeks. Do not wait.
Showing 3 of 2,400+ peer-reviewed conditions
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"At 2 a.m. with a newborn whose rash I couldn't identify, Dermis was the only resource that didn't send me spiraling. It told me what it likely was, what it wasn't, and exactly when to call the pediatrician."
Natalie Okonkwo
New mother, Austin TX
"I've recommended Dermis to every patient who asks "can I look this up online?" It's the only site I trust not to terrify them with worst-case scenarios before their appointment."
Dr. James Osei, MD
Family Medicine, Chicago
"My cystic acne had been misidentified by two urgent care visits as "folliculitis." Dermis's severity staging and ICD codes helped me walk into my derm appointment with the right vocabulary."
Theo Barrera
Patient, 24, San Diego
"The treatment decision trees are exactly how I think through cases. This is what peer-reviewed content for patients should look like — not dumbed down, but translated with precision."
Dr. Amara Diallo, MD FAAD
Dermatologist, NYC
"I noticed a mole changing shape over three weeks. Dermis's ABCDE breakdown told me this wasn't something to schedule for next month. I called the next morning. Stage I melanoma. Early."
Robert Kim
Patient, 38, Seattle
"Finally — a resource that cites ICD codes, acknowledges diagnostic uncertainty, and doesn't pretend a photo can replace a biopsy. My dermatology residents use it."
Dr. Lisa Park, MD PhD
Program Director, Stanford Derm
"At 2 a.m. with a newborn whose rash I couldn't identify, Dermis was the only resource that didn't send me spiraling. It told me what it likely was, what it wasn't, and exactly when to call the pediatrician."
Natalie Okonkwo
New mother, Austin TX
"I've recommended Dermis to every patient who asks "can I look this up online?" It's the only site I trust not to terrify them with worst-case scenarios before their appointment."
Dr. James Osei, MD
Family Medicine, Chicago
"My cystic acne had been misidentified by two urgent care visits as "folliculitis." Dermis's severity staging and ICD codes helped me walk into my derm appointment with the right vocabulary."
Theo Barrera
Patient, 24, San Diego
"The treatment decision trees are exactly how I think through cases. This is what peer-reviewed content for patients should look like — not dumbed down, but translated with precision."
Dr. Amara Diallo, MD FAAD
Dermatologist, NYC
"I noticed a mole changing shape over three weeks. Dermis's ABCDE breakdown told me this wasn't something to schedule for next month. I called the next morning. Stage I melanoma. Early."
Robert Kim
Patient, 38, Seattle
"Finally — a resource that cites ICD codes, acknowledges diagnostic uncertainty, and doesn't pretend a photo can replace a biopsy. My dermatology residents use it."
Dr. Lisa Park, MD PhD
Program Director, Stanford Derm
"My teenager had been using every drugstore acne product for 18 months. Dermis showed us the treatment ladder — topical retinoids were step one, not the last resort we'd never tried."
Sandra Nguyen
Parent, Portland OR
"As a GP, I see a lot of dermatologic presentations. Dermis has become my reference for patient handouts. The urgency flags alone have helped patients prioritize appropriately."
Dr. Michael Torres, MD
General Practitioner, Miami
"The severity staging for eczema helped me understand why my prescription wasn't working — I had moderate-to-severe disease being treated with mild-stage protocols."
Priya Sharma
Patient, 31, Boston
"The differential diagnosis approach mirrors how we actually think. Patients arrive better prepared, ask better questions, and have more productive appointments."
Dr. Carlos Reyes, MD FAAD
Mohs Surgeon, Houston
"I'd been told by three different sources online that my psoriasis was "just dry skin." Dermis had clinical images at each severity stage. I finally saw my own skin reflected accurately."
Darius Mitchell
Patient, 45, Atlanta
"I contribute entries here because patients deserve the same rigor we apply in journal articles — with the compassion we apply in the exam room."
Dr. Yuki Watanabe, MD
Cosmetic Dermatologist, LA
"My teenager had been using every drugstore acne product for 18 months. Dermis showed us the treatment ladder — topical retinoids were step one, not the last resort we'd never tried."
Sandra Nguyen
Parent, Portland OR
"As a GP, I see a lot of dermatologic presentations. Dermis has become my reference for patient handouts. The urgency flags alone have helped patients prioritize appropriately."
Dr. Michael Torres, MD
General Practitioner, Miami
"The severity staging for eczema helped me understand why my prescription wasn't working — I had moderate-to-severe disease being treated with mild-stage protocols."
Priya Sharma
Patient, 31, Boston
"The differential diagnosis approach mirrors how we actually think. Patients arrive better prepared, ask better questions, and have more productive appointments."
Dr. Carlos Reyes, MD FAAD
Mohs Surgeon, Houston
"I'd been told by three different sources online that my psoriasis was "just dry skin." Dermis had clinical images at each severity stage. I finally saw my own skin reflected accurately."
Darius Mitchell
Patient, 45, Atlanta
"I contribute entries here because patients deserve the same rigor we apply in journal articles — with the compassion we apply in the exam room."
Dr. Yuki Watanabe, MD
Cosmetic Dermatologist, LA
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