Benjamin Barankin

• MD, FRCPC
• Managing Director at Toronto Dermatology Centre

Pain management is an important aspect of dermatologic procedures, which are typically performed on awake patients in outpatient settings. The first-line modalities for procedural analgesia during most dermatologic procedures are topical and injectable local anesthetics, such as lidocaine. However, in some medical and cosmetic dermatologic procedur...

BACKGROUND Striae are fine lines on the body that occur following rapid skin stretching (i.e., following pregnancy, puberty, weight change). The aim of this systematic review was to assess the current literature on treatment outcomes associated with striae. OBJECTIVE (1) To assess the efficacy and safety of different treatment options reported for...

Background Pinworm infestation is an important public health problem worldwide, especially among children 5 to 10 years of age in developing countries with temperate climates. The problem is often overlooked because of its mild or asymptomatic clinical manifestations. Objective The purpose of this article was to familiarize pediatricians with the...

Background: Lichen striatus is a benign dermatosis that affects mainly children. This condition mimics many other dermatoses. Objective: The purpose of this article is to familiarize pediatricians with the clinical manifestations of lichen striatus to avoid misdiagnosis, unnecessary investigations, unnecessary referrals, and mismanagement of liche...

Stasis dermatitis (SD) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that typically presents with nonspecific signs and symptoms such as pruritic and xerotic skin, aching legs, and areas of dyspigmentation (red or brown in lighter skin tones and brown, purple, gray, or ashen in darker skin tones). These signs and symptoms are often misdiagnosed as other con...

Background: Infectious mononucleosis is common among adolescents and young adults. Although the majority of cases resolve spontaneously, life-threatening manifestations, and complications have been recognised. Objective: The purpose of this article is to familiarize clinicians with the clinical manifestations, evaluation, diagnosis, and manageme...

Background: Group A ß-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) is the leading bacterial cause of acute pharyngitis in children and adolescents worldwide. Objective: This article aims to familiarize clinicians with the clinical manifestations, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of GABHS pharyngitis. Methods: A search was conducted in December 2022 in...

Background: Tinea pedis is one of the most common superficial fungal infections of the skin, with various clinical manifestations. This review aims to familiarize physicians with the clinical features, diagnosis and management of tinea pedis. Methods: A search was conducted in April 2023 in PubMed Clinical Queries using the key terms 'tinea pedi...

Background: Erythema infectiosum occurs worldwide. School-aged children are most often affected. Since the diagnosis is mainly clinical, physicians should be well-versed in the clinical manifestations of erythema infectiosum to avoid misdiagnosis, unnecessary investigations, and mismanagement of the disease. Objective: The purpose of this articl...

In the past decade, there has been a global resurgence of bed bug infestations, especially in developed countries. Proper awareness and identification of bed bug infestations are essential to guide treatment and eradication. The purpose of this article is to familiarize physicians with bed bug bites so that they can effectively diagnose, treat, and...

Background Roseola infantum is a common viral disease that occurs during childhood worldwide. Objective The purpose of this article is to familiarize pediatricians with the clinical manifestations, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of roseola infantum. Methods A search was conducted in April, 2022, in PubMed Clinical Queries using the key ter...

Background: Tinea versicolor is a common superficial fungal infection of the skin with various clinical manifestations. This review aims to familiarize physicians with the clinical features, diagnosis and management of tinea versicolor. Methods: A search was conducted in July 2022 in PubMed Clinical Queries using the key terms "tinea versicolor"...

Background: Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common viral disease in childhood. Because the disease has the potential to reach epidemic levels and the mortality is high in some countries, early recognition of this disease is of paramount importance. Objective: This purpose of this article is to familiarize pediatricians with the clinical manif...

Background Early recognition of acanthosis nigricans is important because acanthosis nigricans can be a cutaneous manifestation of a variety of systemic disorders and, rarely, as a sign of internal malignancy. Objective This purpose of this article is to familiarize pediatricians with the clinical manifestations, evaluation, diagnosis, and managem...

Background: Early recognition of xeroderma pigmentosum is important to minimize the complications arising from the harmful effects of exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This narrative review aims to familiarize physicians with the clinical features, diagnosis and management of xeroderma pigmentosum. Methods: A search was conducted in December 2021...

Background: Pediculosis capitis is a common human parasitic infestation in childhood. This article aims to provide a narrative updated review on the management of pediculosis capitis. Methods: A PubMed search was performed with Clinical Queries using the key terms “pediculosis capitis” OR “head lice” OR “head louse”. The search strategy included c...

Hypertrophic scars (HTS) are elevated scars which occur due to abnormalities in wound healing after injury and may be associated with pain, pruritus and functional impairment. Despite multiple available treatment options, there is no universal approach to treating HTS. We searched the Web of Science (Core Collection), MEDLINE and EMBASE databases....

Background: Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disease that can lead to disfigurement and psychological distress. This article aims to provide a narrative updated review on the management of acne vulgaris. Methods: A PubMed search was performed with Clinical Queries using the key term "acne". The search strategy included clinical trials, meta...

Background Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is an IgA-mediated systemic small-vessel vasculitis with a predilection for the skin, gastrointestinal tract, joints, and kidneys. It is the most common form of systemic vasculitis in children. Objective To familiarize physicians with the etiopathogenesis, etiology, clinical manifestations, evaluation, and...

Laugier–Hunziker syndrome is a rare, acquired disorder characterized by mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation and melanonychia striata with no underlying systemic abnormalities. We report an 8-year-old boy with Laugier–Hunziker syndrome who presented with melanonychia striata affecting all the fingernails and toenails, macular pigmentation on the tongue...

We describe a 6-year-old boy with an asymptomatic linear eruption on the left index finger with mild erythema of the proximal nail fold, nail dystrophy, and subungual hyperkeratosis of the nail. A diagnosis of nail lichen striatus was made. The child was successfully treated with a topical corticosteroid. Because of its rarity, nail lichen striatus...

Background Tinea capitis is a common and at time difficult to treat fungal infection of the scalp. Objective To provide an update on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of tinea capitis. Methods A PubMed search was performed in Clinical Queries using the key term “tinea capitis”. The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized control...

Background Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection of the nail. Objective: The study aimed to provide an update on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of onychomycosis. Method A PubMed search was completed in Clinical Queries using the key term “onychomycosis”. The search was conducted in May 2019. The search strategy included meta-analyse...

Background Scarring is a frequent consequence of acne. Objectives Our objective was to evaluate the effect of up to 48 weeks’ treatment with adapalene 0.3%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% (A0.3/BPO2.5) gel on atrophic scars in moderate or severe acne vulgaris. Methods In Part 1 of this two-part study, A0.3/BPO2.5 gel or vehicle was applied on each half-fac...

Background:: There is ongoing development of new therapies for psoriasis, including biologic and systemic agents such as interleukin-17, interleukin-23, and phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors. The development of these agents has changed the landscape of psoriasis treatment options. Objective:: The objective of this study was to characterize the impa...

Introduction: The skin of subjects with dry, flaking, and/or scaling conditions is characterized by decreased water and skin lipids content among other findings. It is well understood that daily use of gentle cleansers and moisturizers may help to restore and maintain an optimal skin barrier function. A cohort study of patients with dry skin was de...

Background: Penile warts are the most common sexually transmitted disease in males. Clinicians should be familiar with the proper evaluation and management of this common condition. Objective: To provide an update on the current understanding, evaluation, and management of penile warts. Methods: A PubMed search was completed in Clinical Queries usi...

Introduction Très peu d’études cliniques se sont intéressées à l’effet d’un traitement topique de l’acné sur les cicatrices d’acné. L’objectif principal de cette étude était d’évaluer l’effet du gel d’adapalène 0,3 %/peroxyde de benzoyle 2,5 % (A0,3/BPO2,5) vs son véhicule sur le risque de formation de cicatrices atrophiques d’acné chez des sujets...

The hair collar sign refers to a ring of long, dark, coarse hair on the scalp, usually surrounding a congenital scalp lesion. • The hair collar sign can be seen in some scalp malformations such aplasia cutis congenita and nevus sebaceous. • The hair collar sign can be a cutaneous marker for cranial neuroectodermal defects. Approximately one-third o...