Differences between allergy and dermatology in referral, evaluation, and management patterns for pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis
Introduction Allergists and dermatologists often take different approaches to caring for pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on patients <18 years old treated for AD within the University of Virginia health system from 2015 to 2020. Da...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Dermatological Treatment |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/09546634.2025.2515495 |
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| author | Nicole L. Edmonds Courtney E. Heron Monica G. Lawrence Barrett Zlotoff |
| author_facet | Nicole L. Edmonds Courtney E. Heron Monica G. Lawrence Barrett Zlotoff |
| author_sort | Nicole L. Edmonds |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction Allergists and dermatologists often take different approaches to caring for pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on patients <18 years old treated for AD within the University of Virginia health system from 2015 to 2020. Data were collected on patient and referring provider demographics as well as initial visit evaluation and management.Results A total of 269 patients presented to allergy, 685 patients presented to dermatology, and 14 patients presented to a combined allergy-dermatology clinic as an initial visit with a primary diagnosis of AD. Both specialties were most often referred to by a generalist though dermatology received more specialty provider referrals. In addition, allergy ordered more diagnostic testing (IgE, allergens, complete blood count), while dermatology prescribed more medications (topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, immunosuppressants). Patients seen in the combined dermatology-allergy clinic were more likely to receive diagnostic testing than patients seen in dermatology clinic and were more likely to be prescribed medications than patients seen in allergy clinic.Conclusions Our findings suggest allergists may focus more on identifying triggers of AD, while dermatologists largely focus on the prescription of therapies. Clinical care may be more comprehensive when allergists and dermatologists work synergistically. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f72b18b9eafa4ec0971c8c5efff910dc |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0954-6634 1471-1753 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Dermatological Treatment |
| spelling | doaj-art-f72b18b9eafa4ec0971c8c5efff910dc2025-08-20T02:34:04ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Dermatological Treatment0954-66341471-17532025-12-0136110.1080/09546634.2025.2515495Differences between allergy and dermatology in referral, evaluation, and management patterns for pediatric patients with atopic dermatitisNicole L. Edmonds0Courtney E. Heron1Monica G. Lawrence2Barrett Zlotoff3Department of Dermatology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USADepartment of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, USADepartment of Medicine, Division of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USADepartment of Dermatology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USAIntroduction Allergists and dermatologists often take different approaches to caring for pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on patients <18 years old treated for AD within the University of Virginia health system from 2015 to 2020. Data were collected on patient and referring provider demographics as well as initial visit evaluation and management.Results A total of 269 patients presented to allergy, 685 patients presented to dermatology, and 14 patients presented to a combined allergy-dermatology clinic as an initial visit with a primary diagnosis of AD. Both specialties were most often referred to by a generalist though dermatology received more specialty provider referrals. In addition, allergy ordered more diagnostic testing (IgE, allergens, complete blood count), while dermatology prescribed more medications (topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, immunosuppressants). Patients seen in the combined dermatology-allergy clinic were more likely to receive diagnostic testing than patients seen in dermatology clinic and were more likely to be prescribed medications than patients seen in allergy clinic.Conclusions Our findings suggest allergists may focus more on identifying triggers of AD, while dermatologists largely focus on the prescription of therapies. Clinical care may be more comprehensive when allergists and dermatologists work synergistically.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/09546634.2025.2515495Atopic dermatitisallergydermatologytopical corticosteroidsIgE |
| spellingShingle | Nicole L. Edmonds Courtney E. Heron Monica G. Lawrence Barrett Zlotoff Differences between allergy and dermatology in referral, evaluation, and management patterns for pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis Journal of Dermatological Treatment Atopic dermatitis allergy dermatology topical corticosteroids IgE |
| title | Differences between allergy and dermatology in referral, evaluation, and management patterns for pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis |
| title_full | Differences between allergy and dermatology in referral, evaluation, and management patterns for pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis |
| title_fullStr | Differences between allergy and dermatology in referral, evaluation, and management patterns for pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Differences between allergy and dermatology in referral, evaluation, and management patterns for pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis |
| title_short | Differences between allergy and dermatology in referral, evaluation, and management patterns for pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis |
| title_sort | differences between allergy and dermatology in referral evaluation and management patterns for pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis |
| topic | Atopic dermatitis allergy dermatology topical corticosteroids IgE |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/09546634.2025.2515495 |
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