Learn from Medical Experts

World-leading dermatomyositis physicians share their expertise and answer key questions about the disease.

Join the Community

Victoria Werth, MD

Professor of Dermatology

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Iazsmin Bauer Ventura, MD, MSc

Director, Multidisciplinary Myositis Program

University of Chicago

Scott Elman, MD

Director of Inpatient Dermatology Services

University of Miami Health System

Harry Dao, MD

Chair, Dermatology

Loma Linda University Health

Rohit Aggarwal, MD, MS

Director, UPMC Myositis Clinic

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Gabriela Cobos, MD, FAAD

Director, Dermatology- Rheumatology Program

Tufts University Medical Center

Lisa Criscione-Schreiber, MD, MEd

Co-Director, Myositis Clinic

Duke University

Alisa Femia, MD

Director of Dermatology-Rheumatology

NYU Langone Health

John Edminister, MD

Assistant Professor of Dermatology

Wake Forest University

Anthony Fernandez, MD, PhD

Director of Medical Dermatology

Cleveland Clinic

Prateek Gandiga, MD, FACP

Senior Physician & Clinical Lead, Emory Myositis Clinic

Emory Healthcare

Daniela Ghetie, MD

Co-Director, Myositis Center

Oregon Health & Science University

Nathaniel Harris, MD, PhD

Co-Director, Myositis Clinic

Duke University

Michelle Min, MD, MSci

Director of Rheumatologic Dermatology

UCI Medical Center

Oluwakemi Onajin, MD, FAAD

Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Dermatopathology

University of Chicago Medical Center

Other FAQs

This section answers commonly asked questions from the dermatomyositis patient community ranging from more complex medical topics to future developments in the field.

Is There a Cure for Dermatomyositis?

Prateek Gandiga, MD, FACP

While there is no known cure for dermatomyositis, Dr. Gandiga shares why there’s still hope for affected patients thanks to many new treatments and advances that are improving patient outcomes.

Does Dermatomyositis Increase My Risk for Cancer?

Anthony Fernandez, MD, PhD

Watch as Dr. Fernandez explains how dermatomyositis can sometimes be a sign of an underlying cancer. Learn why cancer screening is crucial after diagnosis and how antibody profiles may help identify cancer-associated cases.

How Can Dermatomyositis Affect My Lungs?

Rohit Aggarwal, MD, MS

With up to 40% of myositis patients developing interstitial lung disease (ILD), this leading rheumatologist stresses the importance of early screening as a critical part of the treatment journey.

What Questions Frequently Come Up in the Doctor's Office?

Nathaniel Harris, MD, PhD

Dr. Harris shares frequent questions he gets from patients, including what they can do beyond medication. While interest in supplements and anti-inflammatory diets is growing, he cautions against extreme approaches and highlights the need for more research.

Dr. Cobos Ofrece una Visión General Sobre la Dermatomyositis

Gabriela Cobos, MD, FAAD

En este video, el Dr. Cobos explica qué es la dermatomiositis, sus síntomas principales, cómo se diagnostica y las opciones actuales de tratamiento. Una guía esencial para pacientes hispanohablantes que buscan entender mejor esta enfermedad autoinmune que afecta la piel y los músculos.

What is Calcinosis Cutis?

Oluwakemi Onajin, MD, FAAD

Dr. Onajin explains how calcinosis—calcium deposits in the skin—can complicate dermatomyositis, especially in juvenile cases. These deposits are often painful, hard to remove, and signal ongoing inflammation. Learn why early detection and specialized dermatologic care are essential for managing this challenging skin issue.

What Exciting Developments Are on the Horizon in Dermatomyositis?

Lisa Criscione-Schreiber, MD, MEd

Hear as this top rheumatologist highlights promising advances in dermatomyositis research. Although FDA-approved treatments remain limited, breakthroughs in understanding of myositis are paving the way for new therapies, which have already shown success in other autoimmune diseases.

How Long Do I Have to Be on Therapy?

Harry Dao, MD

While some patients may experience rapid remission following the initiation of treatment, this is not the norm for most individuals with dermatomyositis. Dr. Dao explains why the clinical goal should be to identify strategies that minimize the burden of therapy while prioritizing improvements in quality of life. This underscores the importance of emerging therapies that offer more targeted and potentially better-tolerated options for long-term disease management.

Join the Community

Join thousands of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals and get unlimited access to our growing library.