Overview
Various Web sites for dermatologists assist the public through education and information on the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions.[1] This article lists relevant Internet sites compiled by dermatologists for dermatologists and their patients. Because dermatology is enhanced by graphics, which can take a long time to download, the author recommends using a fast modem or other connection to the Internet.
These lists are not all inclusive; however, they are ranked with preference to the Web sites at the top of each section. As a result of the dynamic nature of the Internet, no guarantee can be made of a site's availability. If a link is not available over several days, please email us at tech@emedicine.com to remove or update the link as needed.
No guarantee can be made regarding the scientific accuracy of any of the listed sites. Caveat surfer! The author recommends that information obtained from these sites be verified using any other means necessary. No information obtained from these sites can substitute for a physician's professional judgment. Patients should always follow the advice of a personal physician concerning treatment.
The article is divided into the following sections:
- General Dermatology Sites: Sites that provide useful general and specific information for a practicing dermatologist are listed here.
- Clinical Dermatology Sites: High-quality images of almost every dermatologic diagnosis are available online. Student lectures and many case reports also are available.
- Dermatological Surgery and Dermatopathology: The surgery sites are of interest to dermatologic surgeons, as well as potential patients. One of the links provides a locator for the nearest Mohs surgeon. Dermatopathology tutorials for beginners and experienced practitioners are found here. Most of these sites have histologic images.
- General Medical Sites: This includes sites that often include dermatologic information, although it may require some searching within the site to find it.
- Journals of Interest to Dermatologists: Dermatology and primary general medicine journals are listed.
- Drugs and Pharmacology: Several of these sites allow physicians to check drug interactions and other adverse effects. One site lists compounding pharmacies.
- Patient Support Groups: Many of these sites offer reliable online information about skin diseases and their treatment.
- Disease-Specific Sites: Most of these sites provide information suitable for physicians, but a few are directed at patients. The larger subsections in this list include allergy, melanoma, and parasites.
General Dermatology Sites
The Internet Dermatology Society has many helpful links, including the Electronic Textbook of Dermatology.
DermIS is one of the largest dermatology information services available on the Internet. It offers elaborate image atlases, complete with diagnoses and differential diagnoses, case reports, and additional information on almost all skin diseases.
Skincare Guide is a network of dermatology-related Web sites founded by a prestigious group of international dermatologists. It provides comprehensive information for patients and physicians about the skin, its care, and various skin conditions and treatments.
HardinMD Dermatology from the University of Iowa's library lists the best dermatology sites that list sites and searches for recent PubMed citations.
DermNet, the New Zealand Dermatological Society's Web site, includes basic patient information about a large number of skin disorders and medical education for primary care doctors.
MediViews provides innovative medical videos and other audio-based resources.
Dermatology News provides the latest dermatology news daily.
The Doctor's Guide Personal Edition provides a personally customizable Web page with pertinent dermatologic information.
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) includes a directory and member services.
Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants
BoDD, the Botanical Dermatology Database from Cardiff, Wales, is a resource about plants and the skin.
Clinical Dermatology Sites
Image atlases
Dermatology Internet Service (DermIS) from the University of Erlangen includes the largest online atlas, plus much more.
Dermatlas from Johns Hopkins University is an excellent and expanding dermatology atlas, including many images regarding pediatric dermatology.
On-line Atlas of Dermatology and Rheumatology is a collection of images of cutaneous manifestations of rheumatic diseases.
Dermnet has a first-rate online image atlas.
Loyola University's dermatology site has good clinical and histologic images.
Case reports
The Internet Dermatology Society Grand Rounds cases
Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre - Dermatology Unit
Case of the Month – From Washington University
Virtual Grand Rounds in Dermatology
Dermatopathology Institute – From DermpathMD
Dermatological Surgery and Dermatopathology
Dermatologic surgery
American Academy of Dermatology provides information about different surgeries.
The American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery & Cutaneous Oncology Web site includes a list of members.
International Society for Dermatologic Surgery allows one to find a local dermatologic surgeon.
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery provides public information about the specialty of dermasurgery.
Dermatopathology
Dermatopathology Quiz provides questions and answers with histological images.
Dermatology Laboratory Tests (University of Rochester) provides information on many of the rarely ordered and difficult to obtain diagnostic tests for dermatologic diseases.
Internet Pathology Laboratory for Medical Education (University of Utah) is a general pathology Web site with a large number of images and short synopses of disease states. It may be useful in studying for the national boards.
General Medical Websites
Medscape Today is a comprehensive source of clinical information organized by medical specialty. A huge searchable database is available, including MEDLINE, drug information, and full text articles.
MedicineNet is a user-friendly Web site with relevant medical information. It also has a comprehensive medical terms dictionary and disease list.
About Kids Health is a Web site dedicated to providing medically related advice to parents. Information is provided by The Hospital for Sick Kids.
The Mayo Clinic has compiled medical information.
Quackwatch, operated by Dr. Stephen Barrett, provides insight into scams, lies, and half-truths that are rampant on the Internet, especially concerning medicine.
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) provides free public access to MEDLINE.
Health.com is an up-to-date Web site that provides articles on relevant medical topics. The articles are easy to read, and the homepage provides links to top medical headlines from CNN, TIME and MSN.
The Medical Matrix contains many useful links, most of which have been recommended by physicians.
Healthfinder is a gateway to consumer health and human services information and was developed by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Web site includes a search tool that can retrieve all dermatologically relevant articles. For example, the 1992 consensus conference on the treatment and detection of malignant melanoma can be viewed.
PDR.net, created by Medical Economics Company Inc, provides American physicians with free online medical information, including the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) index, MEDLINE searches, and archives of several medical journals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site includes the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and vital statistics, as well as information regarding health concerns and recommendations for international travelers.
World Health Organization (WHO)
The Food and Drug Administration site includes current US drug regulations, the orange book of approved products, and consumer drug information. This site is a useful source for information about food-borne illnesses, including Escherichia coli outbreaks, and the function of chemicals in cosmetics.
National Center for Biotechnology Information
A New Gene Map of the Human Genome
Reuters Health Information Services offers daily medical news.
OncoLink (University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center) features extensive information on cancer for patients and health care professionals.
Cancer.gov is the National Cancer Institute's effort to provide accurate information about all types of cancer for patients and physicians.
American Cancer Society site includes useful information for patients with skin cancer.
CenterWatch: Clinical Trials Listing Service can help enroll a patient in a clinical trial.
Best Doctors helps patients find information about, and access to, medical care. The site partners with HealthCentral, a consumer health information service that features the physician broadcaster, Dr Dean Edell.
GeneTests genetic testing resource comes from the Children's Health Care System in Seattle.
The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man from the National Center for Biotechnology Information keeps updated information on over 10,000 disease entities. This is an excellent site to use for learning about the latest molecular defects known in diseases and is a searchable database.
Journals of Interest to Dermatologists
Archives of Dermatological Research
British Medical Journal (BMJ) (collection of dermatology articles)
Dermanities is an online journal dedicated to the humanities and social sciences as they relate to dermatology.
Dermatology Online Journal (the first solely online journal indexed by MEDLINE)
European Journal of Pediatric Dermatology
ImmunityJournal of Investigative Dermatology
International Society of Dermatology
Journal of Dermatological Science
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology
New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)
Stanford University MedWorld provides a list of medical journal Web sites.
Drugs and Pharmacology
MedWatch is the Food and Drug Administration Medical Products Reporting Program for health care professionals. It provides a pathway through which medical personnel can report serious adverse events and product problems that occur with the use of all medical products, including drugs, biologics, medical devices, and special nutritional formulations.
RxList Internet Drug Index is a good reference site for drug interactions and consumer information.
MedicineNet Medications provides a comprehensive list and has a user-friendly Web site
The US Pharmacopeia Practitioners' Reporting Network provides health professionals and consumers with timely information about the quality, safety, performance, and design of medical products, drugs, and devices.
PDR.net, created by Medical Economics Company Inc, provides American physicians with the PDR index.
NeedyMeds has information about the special programs provided by pharmaceutical manufacturers to assist people who cannot afford to buy the drugs they need.
Patient Support Groups
The World Health Organization has a comprehensive list of support groups for all conditions.
The American Academy of Dermatology has an extensive list of foundations, institutes, and support groups.
DermWeb has a large list of organizations and societies from all over the world.
CDA Patient Support Groups has information about support groups for various dermatological conditions.
The National Institutes of Health Office of Rare Diseases has information on more than 6000 rare diseases.
Dermatology Consultations has a list of support groups for specific conditions.
Health Point provides links to support groups for lupus and psoriasis.
Disease-Specific Sites
Note: Many of the Web sites mentioned above also have additional information about the diseases mentioned below.
Acne
AcneNet is the first section of DermInfoNet, sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology (ADD).
Acne.org is a Web site that does not accept advertising. Patients also have access to many resources, including community boards and editorials.
Albinism
NOAH (National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation)
KidsHealth provides information about Albinism and they have sections for kids, teens and parents.
Allergy
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (AAAAI) Online has information both for physicians (upcoming meetings, continuing medical education [CME], available audiotapes) and for patients (asthma, sinusitis, and common allergies).
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network goals are to increase public awareness of food allergies and anaphylaxis, to provide education, and to advance research on behalf of those affected by food allergies.
The National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases has information about clinical trials and some patient information.
Allergy/Asthma Information Association has an abundance of links and quality information
National Jewish Medical and Research Center Web site has a useful MedFacts section with information on allergic and immunologic diseases.
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) Alert, "Preventing allergic reactions to natural rubber latex in the workplace"
Alopecia areata
National Alopecia Areata Foundation
Ataxia telangiectasia
Ataxia-Telangiectasia Children's Project
NINDS Ataxia Telangiectasia Information Page
Behcet disease
The American Behçet's Disease Association
Birthmarks
Vascular Birthmarks Foundation
The National Craniofacial Association
Congenital moles (nevi or nevus)
Dermatitis herpetiformis
Ectodermal dysplasias
National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias
Eczema
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation
Epidermolysis bullosa
Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association of America
Herpes
The International Herpes Management Forum has treatment guidelines for physicians, including herpes in pregnancy and herpes in HIV infection.
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome)
Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Foundation
Telangiectasia Self Help Group
Hyperhidrosis
International Hyperhidrosis Society
This site is an Italian doctor's summary of hyperhidrosis, complete with conventional and nonconventional treatment.
Ichthyosis and related disorders
Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types
Leprosy
World Health Organization's site about leprosy
Lupus
Lupus Foundation of America Web page includes discussion groups, tests, and treatment options.
Melanoma
Melanoma Patients' Information Page, from the The Melanoma Research Foundation, contains plenty of helpful information, including a prognostic calculator.
National Cancer Institute's CancerNet Physician Data Query (PDQ) melanoma information service.
Melanoma.com provides advice about treating and living with melanoma.
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute lists its clinical trials for melanoma.
Melanoma Research Project is an informative site based in the United States and Germany.
The M.D. Anderson OncoLog (University of Texas) site includes a description of sentinel lymph node mapping.
Neurofibromatosis
Neurofibromatosis, Inc. provides information and support.
The (US) National Neurofibromatosis Foundation Inc. includes links to international organizations.
Parasites
Atlas of Medical Parasitology from the University of Torino, Italy
Parasites and Foodborne Illness from the USDA, Food Inspection and Safety Service.
Headlice.org is the Web site for the National Pediculosis Association.
Headlice information from the Laboratory of Public Health Entomology at Harvard
Veterinary Parasitology from Oklahoma State University
Pityriasis rubra pilaris
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum
National Association for Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum
Porphyria
American Porphyria Foundation offers dietary guidelines, pictures, and FAQs (frequently asked questions) for a donation.
Psoriasis
National Psoriasis Foundation has comprehensive information about psoriasis for physicians and patients.
The Psoriasis Association provides information and support to patients with this disease.
The Skin Page provides searches within newsgroups and other databases, with a focus on psoriasis support and self-help.
Rare diseases
National Organization for Rare Disorders
Rosacea
International Rosacea Foundation
Scleroderma
International Scleroderma Network
Scleroderma Foundation provides FAQs and support group information.
Sjögren syndrome
Skin cancer
Sturge-Weber syndrome
Hunter Nelson Sturge-Weber Centre at the Kennedy Krieger Institute
Tuberous sclerosis
Tuberous Sclerosis Association
Vitiligo
Xeroderma pigmentosa
Simmons RN, Ellis JI, Dellavalle RP. Dermatology internet resources. Dermatol Clin. Apr 2009;27(2):193-9, vii. [Medline].
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