Annual Science of Skin Event Highlights Empowering Conversations About Chronic Diseases
Empowering conversations around chronic skin diseases is something AbbVie aims to normalize. The fourth annual Science of Skin event featured a panel of experts and patients who shared insights on managing chronic skin conditions and improving quality of life, and Practical Dermatology was there.
Actress Melissa Joan Hart moderated the fireside chats, explaining she became a caregiver for her son who was diagnosed with eczema.
“As we began educating ourselves, we found it challenging to shift through all the volumes of misinformation,” Joan Hart said. “We’ve all done that. We can find tons of misinformation. But I knew we had to remain diligent to ensure he was on the right path.”
As patients seek professional help for chronic skin conditions they are experiencing, it’s important they find dermatologists they trust and are comfortable building a relationship with.
Dr. Elyse Love is a dermatologist with Gramercy Laser and Medical Dermatology in New York City. She prides herself in making sure her patients are well educated when she’s giving a diagnosis, especially chronic skin conditions.
“The most important thing I can make them understand is it’s a journey that we’re going to take together,” Dr. Love said. “It’s important for me that they leave trusting the process and knowing they are in good hands, and I have their best interest.”
The journey of getting skin conditions, such as eczema, under control is not going to happen overnight. Results will come with the growth of the patient-doctor relationship and communication. Dr. Love explains that as patients learn what triggers their eczema outbreaks, it helps narrow down treatment plans for finding control.
With conditions such as eczema, it’s common for people to just treat it with over-the-counter products and lotions. Dr. Love believes its worth patients checking in.
“There’s been an explosion of what we offer, new treatments that we have,” Dr. Love said. “At the very best, we have something that’s even better for you that could potentially change everything because as we’ve seen eczema isn’t just your skin but impacts how you interact with the world.”
Eczema influencer, writer and community advocate urges anyone attempting to manage their condition on their own to “stop suffering in silence.”
There is more than just a visible aspect to chronic skin conditions. While working on managing the physical appearance of chronic skin conditions, patients may be facing psychosocial challenges.
Dermatologists can build a deeper connection with their patients by checking in on their mental health.
“A dermatologist can be a bridge to helping somebody get treatment that will work for them but also, do you need mental health help provided? Being a bridge of not only being a dermatologist but also helping them find other services that they need,” said Gail Reiser, a psoriasis patient and community advocate.
Another barrier that dermatologists face is the education curricula doesn’t train them to treat every American. Dr. Chesahna Kindred, a dermatologist with Kindred Hair & Skin in Maryland, spoke about how certain diseases can present differently on patients of skin of color and the challenges these patients face when dermatologists, who have good intentions, are unable to recognize the disease.
She explained how dermatologists can ensure they are versed to properly treat patients of skin of color.
“[They should] supplement their education so they are not missing a diagnosis,” Dr. Kindred said. “If the patient is not improving on your treatment and the whole point of the treatment was for the patient to improve, with a bit of humility, maybe recognize that you might have given the wrong diagnosis.”
Science of Skin is a multi-year initiative that elevates influential and diverse voices within dermatology and supports AbbVie’s efforts to elevate expectations and effectively paint a picture of uncontrolled skin diseases while empowering patients to better understand their condition and seek dermatology care.
For more information, visit The Science of Skin.