another dermatosis. Fifty-five percent of surveyed dermatology providers consider SS to be a unique skin condition (n=42). Of the remaining, 33% disagreed with this statement and 12% were unsure. The biggest challenges in sensitive skin management (n=45) were identified as difficulty giving product recommendations (31%), assessing improvement over time (29%), prescribing medical management (18%), establishing diagnosis (13%), and discussing sensitive skin with patients (9%).
DISCUSSION
SS is increasingly being considered as a unique condition; over half of dermatologists surveyed reported this opinion and not one respondent selected a primary dermatosis as the driving pathophysiology for SS. However, the definition and diagnosis of SS are still ambiguous. One-third of respondents had discrepant views on SS: they disagreed that SS is a unique condition, but also did not report belief that SS is the result or symptom of other dermatoses. Dermatology providers frequently encounter patients with a complaint of SS; over 80% of providers reported that 10 or more patients present to them with SS weekly. Despite how commonly patients are seeking dermatologic care for SS, providers identified challenges with diagnosis, counseling patients, selecting products or medications, and assessing clinical improvement.
These data highlight both a significant demand and a current need for improved provider resources for SS. Further research should be conducted to develop effective, evidence-based approaches, both diagnostic and therapeutic, to SS. Future studies will expand on the perspectives highlighted here through a larger survey of dermatology providers.
DISCLOSURES
This work was supported by an independent fellowship grant from Galderma.
Funding: EM's research is funded through an independent research grant from Galderma.
REFERENCE
- Farage MA. The prevalence of sensitive skin. Front Med (Lausanne). 2019;6. doi:10.3389/FMED.2019.00098
AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE
Adam Friedman MD FAAD ajfriedman@mfa.gwu.edu
