Psoriasis or Dermatitis? When boundaries blur and treatments flip the script

At AAD 2026 Global Education Day | Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026 | Time: TBA

Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St, Denver, CO 80202 | Room: TBD

A joint program of the IEC and International Psoriasis Council (IPC). 

PROGRAM CHAIRS

Alan Irvine, MD DSc IEC President Trinity College Dublin, Children’s Health Dublin, Ireland		Yael Anne Leshem, MD MCR IEC Director  Rabin Medical Center Tel-Aviv University Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences Tel Aviv, Israel
Amy Paller, MD MS IPC Board Member & IEC Co-Founder & Director Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, IL, United States		Bruce Strober, MD PhD IPC President Yale University and Central Connecticut Dermatology Cromwell, Connecticut, United States

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This educational session will explore the clinical challenges of distinguishing between psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in non-classic presentations, including psoriasiform spongiotic dermatitis and paradoxical drug reactions induced by biologic therapies like anti-TNF or IL-17 inhibitors. Through case studies and evidence-based discussions, participants will learn how to recognize subtle diagnostic cues and apply the latest treatment strategies, incorporating histopathology and biomarkers into their treatment decisions. Attendees will gain practical tools to improve diagnostic confidence, optimize patient outcomes, and navigate the therapeutic complexities of inflammatory skin disease, including mechanistic insights for managing treatment-related rashes. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of this symposium, participants will be able to:

1. Analyze the diagnostic challenges of distinguishing psoriasis from atopic dermatitis in non-classic clinical presentations, including recognition of psoriasiform spongiotic dermatitis, by identifying at least three distinguishing clinical features.
2. Evaluate and apply advanced diagnostic strategies, such as histopathology and biomarker testing, to differentiate psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and paradoxical drug reactions, demonstrating the ability to select at least two appropriate tools for challenging adult and pediatric cases.
3. Design and implement evidence-based management plans for paradoxical psoriasiform and eczematous eruptions associated with biologic therapies, including TNF-α or IL-17 inhibitors, integrating mechanistic insights to optimize skin-related outcomes for patients with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, or inflammatory bowel disease.

AGENDA

2:00 – 2:05 PM Welcome from the IEC & IPC | Setting the Stage
Alan Irvine, MD DSc | IEC President | Trinity College Dublin, Children’s Health | Dublin, Ireland
and
Bruce Strober, MD PhD | IPC President | Yale University and Central Connecticut Dermatology

2:05 – 2:20 PM Diagnostic challenges between atopic dermatitis and psoriasis

2:20 - 2:35 PM What is psoriasiform spongiotic dermatitis?

2:35 -2:50 PM Navigating uncertainty using advanced diagnostics: Differentiating psoriasis and eczema

2:50 – 3:05 PM Q & A | Moderated by Alan Irvine, MD DSc

Eczematous reactions in patients receiving treatments for psoriasis

3:05 – 3:20 PM Clinical presentation

3:20 – 3:35 PM Clinical approach

3:35 – 3:50 PM Q & A | Moderated by Bruce Strober, MD PhD

Psoriasiform reactions in patients receiving treatments for atopic dermatitis

4:10 – 4:25 PM Clinical presentation

4:25 - 4:40 PM Clinical approach

4:40 – 4:55 PM Q & A | Moderated by Amy Paller, MD MS

Anti TNF- α induced skin eruptions in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

4:55 – 5:10 PM Presentation and clinical approach in adults

5:10 – 5:25 PM Presentation and clinical approach in children

5:25 – 5:40 PM Mechanistic aspects of paradoxical reactions and iatrogenic switches

5:40 – 5:55 PM Final Q & A | Moderated by Yael Anne Leshem, MD MCR

5:55 - 6 PM Closing Remarks, Session Evaluation, Adjourn | Alan Irvine, MD DSc and Bruce Strober, MD PhD

Please check back with us for updates.

This educational symposium presented by the IEC is offered at no cost to attendees.