The American Academy of Dermatology's "Good Skin Knowledge" program enhances children and adolescents' confidence regarding dermatologic knowledge.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has resources meant to be used by children. Herein, we discuss the Good Skin Knowledge (GSK) curriculum, which was created to educate youth aged 8-13 about common dermatologic conditions to promote healthy skin habits, build self-confidence, and encourage careers in science and medicine. To assess participants' confidence regarding understanding and retention of GSK materials, the authors developed a pre- and post-training survey consisting of 10 questions. Results of our survey demonstrate a significant improvement in participants confidence regarding knowledge of skin function and care with at least two thirds of youth surveyed indicating understanding across all areas, with the largest gains centered around knowledge of the three skin layers, knowing what a dermatologist does, and appreciating the causes of acne.

Tape stripping: investigational, diagnostic, and therapeutic uses in dermatology.

Adhesive tape has been used in the scientific study of human skin for more than 90 years. Use of the tape stripping method in dermatology has aided the research and diagnosing of different skin diseases. Basic science, identification, and therapeutic interventions in skin diseases, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, nonmelanoma skin cancer, and melanoma, have been studied using this technique. Among many promising applications that will be discussed throughout this contribution, the pigmented lesion assay will be discussed in depth in relation to melanoma. This product carries considerable and significant research toward early detection of melanoma. Tape stripping is unique and advantageous in its ability to provide a nonsurgical approach to evaluating the human epidermis. The cellular and molecular components of the skin are used to diagnose different skin conditions without invasive skin biopsy.

Creating patient-directed education in pediatric dermatology: A guide for creators.

Current medical literature and practice utilize limited resources to enhance pediatric patients' coping with and understanding of disease. Here, we provide a template for accessing current resources and developing practice-specific written materials focused on the child's experience.