Dermatology news.

A Delphi consensus involving 31 US experts positions oral Janus kinase inhibitors as primary long-term treatment for adults with severe alopecia areata. The recommendations draw on systematic literature reviews and three survey rounds, rather than new comparative treatment data.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 studies found rare inflammatory bowel disease events among patients receiving IL-17 inhibitors for hidradenitis suppurativa. Across 10 randomized trials, new-onset IBD occurred in 0.23% of treated patients versus none receiving placebo through week 16, without a statistically significant difference.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of eight observational studies involving 4,516 patients estimated median omalizumab treatment persistence at 3.1 years in chronic urticaria. Early discontinuation was primarily attributed to disease control, while autoimmune comorbidity was associated with discontinuation for lack of efficacy.

A Dutch prospective registry study followed 309 children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis receiving dupilumab for up to three years. Disease activity remained low, and estimated three-year treatment persistence was 80.1%; ocular surface disease was reported in 36.6% of patients.

A three-round Delphi study of US dermatologists established 40 consensus statements on diagnosing and managing pseudofolliculitis barbae. Experts supported modifying hair removal practices as first-line therapy, but did not agree on several interventions or a standardized grading scale.

Interviews with 18 transgender and nonbinary adults in Atlanta described hirsutism-related stigma, gender dysphoria, and barriers to permanent hair removal. The qualitative study identified cost, insurance coverage, appointment burden, and limited transgender-inclusive services as obstacles to care.

A randomized, double-blind phase 2 trial of 64 adults found that ruxolitinib 1.5% cream improved skin clearance and itch compared with vehicle at 16 weeks. No serious treatment-emergent adverse events or adverse-event-related discontinuations were observed with ruxolitinib, although the small study limits safety conclusions.

A registry-based longitudinal cohort study included 135 individuals with epidermal differentiation disorders and 26 unaffected siblings. Growth deficits were most evident during the first two years, with persistent low height and weight percentiles at ages 25–48 months among children with SPINK5 variants.

An international modified Delphi consensus provides recommendations for off-label low-dose oral minoxidil in children younger than 12 years. Experts agreed on 84 items covering patient selection, dosing, contraindications, and monitoring; the recommendations reflect expert agreement rather than trial evidence.