Current News and Events

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ISDI news releases, updates, and current events of upcomming dermatology, skin disease conferences and/or meetings covering the topic of inflammatory skin diseases.

Block the Sun - Not the Fun"

Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers. It is estimated that more than 1 million people in the United States develop skin cancer every year. Early detection is the surest way to a cure. Develop a regular routine to inspect your body for any skin changes. For more information contact the ISDI at 757-223-0795.

A local nonprofit group gets national recognition

One in three people suffer from some form of skin disorder. It's the mission of LaDonna Williams, execu¬tive director of the Inflamma¬tory Skin Disease Institute, a Newport News-based nonprofit organization, to promote public awareness and a better understanding of diseases such as eczema and psoriasis through education, research and patient advocacy ...

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A Prospective Pediatric Longitudinal Evaluation Study (APPLES)

The APPLES study is a long-term safety study of Protopic® (tacrolimus) Ointment in the treatment of subjects with atopic dermatitis under actual use conditions, including the risk of developing cutaneous or systemic malignancies.  For more information call:  The APPLES study center at 1.877.277.7530.

Pediatric Eczema Elective Registry (PEER)

Parents and referring physicians can contribute to a “landmark” scientific, observational, survey-based study that will follow approximately 5000 children with eczema during their growing years. Children between the ages of 2 years -17 years who have used Elidel cream to treat eczema during the 6 months prior to enrollment may participate in this “real world” observational registry. No physical exams or labs are required. There are no medication requirements or medication restrictions during the entire observation period. The child’s eczema may be active or in remission at the time of enrollment. Parents will receive free eczema educational materials and eczema skin care tips during the entire observation period. The parent completes a brief survey at Enrollment and then twice yearly for a 10-year observation period. Surveys can be completed from home by mail, e:mail, phone or fax. More than one child per family may participate. The parent receives $25 for each completed questionnaire (total $500.) during the observation period.
Enrollment is through the community-based physician who provides the Enrollment form and confirms patient eligibility on the form. Referring physicians receive $100.00 for each participant enrolled. There is no limit to the number of patients enrolled per physician.
For Enrollment forms and/or further information contact (toll-free) 1-877-711-7337 (PEER) or www.ThePeerProgram.org.

Children’s Skin Disease Foundation

The Children's Skin Disease Foundation (CSDF) was founded by Francesca Tenconi, a California teenager on her 16th birthday. At age 11 Francesca was diagnosed with pemphigus foliaceous, a serious, potentially fatal skin disease. Francesca felt an organization was necessary to focus on the unique problems of children and teenagers who suffer from skin disease and to raise funds to help these children. To support this happening, Francesca told her family and friends to give no gifts for her 16th birthday - just make contributions to start a foundation. Four days after her birthday in 2000, Children's Skin Disease Foundation was formed. Children's Skin Disease Foundation (CSDF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation which focuses on the unique problems of young people who suffer from skin disease and the families who care for them.   For more information visit their website at www.csdf.com  or contact CSDF at 925-947-3825.

Advocacy

2008 Skin Disease Research Day

Apri. 9-10, 2008 in Washington, DC

The Inflammatory Skin Disease Institute attended Skin Disease Research Day to advocate for increasing NIH funding.

Diseases of the skin are serious medical conditions that require serious medical research. Burdens of skin disease are economic, physical, psychological, and emotional. There are more than 3,000 identified varieties of skin disease affecting nearly 80 million Americans.

Get Involved:
Contact your congressman to support the NIH funding increase. Tell your members of Congress that you support a commensurate funding increase to NIAMS.

iPLEDGE

The FDA has approved iPLEDGE, an enhanced pregnancy risk management program designed to minimize fetal exposure to isotretinoin. The isotretinoin manufacturers in cooperation with the FDA have combined current risk programs into one collaborative program called iPLEDGE.

The iPLEDGE program strives to ensure that NO FEMALE PATIENT STARTS ISOTRETINOIN THERAPY IF PREGNANT and NO FEMALE ON ISOTRETINOIN THERAPY BECOMES PREGNANT.

The iPLEDGE program is the only way to prescribe, dispense and distribute isotretinoin. Prescribers, patients, pharmacies and wholesalers/distributors are required to register and meet specific requirements for the program.

Capital Hill Day

ISDI attends each spring. We talk to our US Senators and representatives about issues important to people with
inflammatory skin disease. This is an excellent time for you to share your thoughts.

Stay Involved

Contact your local, state and national representatives. Educate them on how inflammatory skin disease affects men, women and children of all ages and races and can truly affect their quality of life.

If you would like more information, please contact ISDI.

ISDI Conferences

Past Conferences:

July 2008: "Gorlin Syndrome Educational Seminar" – Joint conference with BCCNS.   Presented at Columbia University, Dept. of Dermatology.  Keynote speaker was Dr. David Bickers.

December 2006: "Living with Inflammatory Skin Disease - The Undue Burden" was held at Easter Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. Keynote speaker was: Sharon Jacob, MD, Director of Contact Dermatitis Clinic, University of Miami. Other presenters included: Judith Williams, MD; Angela Hogan, MD; Kimberly Scott, MD; Matthew Mahoney; and Marky McDowell.

December 2005: "Inflammatory Skin Disease and the Quality of Life"
Inflammatory Skin Disease and the Quality of Life (Derm Day) was held at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. Panel Discussion was presented by physicians and patients. Topics discussed were eczema, psoriasis, acne and rosacea.

November 2004: “Eczema the Triad: Asthma? Allergies?”
Held at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, presenters were LaDonna Williams, Executive Director, ISDI; Antoinette Hood, MD, Chairperson, Dept. of Dermatology at EVMS; Hugh Sampson, MD Professor of Pediatrics and Immunobiology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York; Robert Pariser, MD of Pariser Dermatology, Norfolk, Virginia; Judith Williams, MD, Cynthia Kelly, MD and Angela Hogan, MD, pediatric dermatologists from Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Norfolk, Virginia.

November 2003: “Eczema: Tough Word, Tough Disease”
Eastern Virginia Medical School was the setting for ISDI’s 1st Annual Conference. Presenters included LaDonna Williams, Executive Director, ISDI; Antoinette Hood, MD, Chairperson, Dept. of Dermatology at EVMS; Margery Scott, MD and Robert Pariser, MD, Eastern Virginia Medical School.