DermAtlas

Dermatology image resources may prove hard to find in the vast web of online information. Here's one that I came across recently that looks very well organized and informative.

DermAtlas is a Dermatology Image Atlas created by Dr. B.A. Cohen and Dr. C.U. Lehmann of Johns Hopkins University. The site boasts over 11,000 dermatology images from 513 physicians and other health professionals from 75 nations.

The basic Quick Search box is a good place to start if you know exactly what you're looking for. I recommend trying out some of the features in the left menu.

- Adv.Search : can limit your search by several criteria, such as body site, pigmentation, age, gender, and histology.

- New Images : lists images submitted in the last few months

- Differential : this search tool claims to help you figure out what type of rash you see. It is still under construction, so they provide a caveat that you search at your own caution. You can limit by morphology, color, pattern, organization, and location.

The best way to find out about an image is to click on the image itself to get detailed information. Some of the detailed information is hyperlinked and takes you to other images related to that topic.

Very helpful resource links are located at the bottom in the Other Resources portion. There you'll find links to more information about the condition in PubMed, MedlinePlus, eMedicine, Archives of Dermatology, Dermatology Online, and OMIM (the genetics database component related to PubMed).

There is an option to translate the image description near the very bottom of the page. Languages include German, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese.

At the very bottom of the page are related images that you can click on and learn more. In the left menu, you'll also find links to quizzes and CME credits for continuing education.

I'm no expert on dermatology, so if you check out this resource, let me know how it ranks in your opinion. Feel free to leave a comment on your own recommendations!