by A. Matthew Brunner, MHS, PA-C, DFAAPA

Dermatology physician assistant with the Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center P.C. in Stockbridge, Georgia and Executive Director and CME Planner for the Georgia Dermatology Physician Assistants society and Conference Lead for the Elevate-Derm Austin Conference.

Dear Colleagues:

Welcome to the June 2020 edition of NP+PA Perspectives in Dermatology, the year’s second installment of the new quarterly supplement series to The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (JCAD), designed to provide evidence-based information to NPs and PAs in the field of dermatology. Like you, I am dedicated to providing the highest level of care possible to my patients, which is achieved not only through years of hard work and hands-on experience in the clinic but through a lifelong commitment to education. One way to stay abreast of the therapeutic advances in our field is by regularly reading high-quality, peer-reviewed journals, which is why I am pleased to be part of NP+PA Perspectives in Dermatology, serving as a member of its Editorial Advisory Board and as the Guest Editor of this issue. But commitment to education goes beyond consistent journal reading. We owe it to our patients to continually seek other educational opportunities to enhance our knowledge of the latest evidence-based therapies in dermatology, including participation in educational conferences. Over the years, I have undertaken the important task of developing high-quality continuing education conferences that specifically address the needs of NPs and PAs, and I have found this work to be highly rewarding. I encourage all of my fellow NPs and PAs to likewise seek ways to engage yourself and your colleagues in educational opportunities in the field of dermatology to enrich your mind and optimize the care you provide your patients.

In this issue of NP+PA Perspectives in Dermatology, we are pleased to include an original submission by Monroe titled, “Atypical Linear Configuration of Bedbug Bites in an Eight-year-old Boy: A Case Report and Overview of Cimicosi.” Here, the author describes the case of a child who presented with widespread, multiple, itchy, red papules surrounded by round patches of erythematous, edematous skin, and was eventually diagnosed with cimicosis (bedbug infestation). The author reviews the clinical diagnostic characteristics and symptom management of bedbug infestation, discusses bedbug biology, and reviews recommendations on infestation eradication.

This issue also includes 1) the 2019 updates, by Del Rosso et al,  to the consensus recommendations from the American Acne and Rosacea Society (AARS) on the management of rosacea, including a systematic literature search and evidence-based review of available therapeutic agents and physical modalities; 2) an article by Cline et al that reviews approved and off-label biological treatments for pediatric psoriasis and atopic dermatitis; 3) a review article by Kim and Yosipovitch that provides an interesting perspective on the relationship between skin microbiota and the mechanism of itch; 4) this month’s Spotlight Interview, of which I am honored to be a part; 5) Journal Watch, a regular feature that provides abstract summaries of pertinent, recently published research in the field—this month’s Journal Watch focuses on pediatric dermatologic conditions; and finally 6) News & Trends, a column that explores and summarizes the latest dermatology-related news reported by online news outlets.

We hope you find this issue of NP+PA Perspectives in Dermatology educational and enjoyable. Please consider supporting this publication, which is provided to you on a complimentary basis, by submitting your own research articles, reviews, case reports, commentaries, or brief reports. NP+PA Perspectives does not require first authors or co-authors of submissions to hold doctoral degrees; its original content is indexed on Pubmed, Scopus, Embase, and CINAHL Plus; and its content is accessible in full and for free to the public—all of which make NP+PA Perspectives an excellent medium for NPs and PAs seeking to expand their personal biobliographies of published works. Email Elizabeth Klumpp, Editorial Director, eklumpp@matrixmedcom.com, for information on how to submit a manuscript.

As always, we look forward to receiving your feedback and submissions.

Warm regards,

A. Matthew Brunner, MHS, PA-C, DFAAPA
Guest Editor