Dermatology Online Journal

Dermatology patients routinely ask how long their skin condition may last, yet this critical aspect of their care has not been emphasized in the literature. When a given diagnosis may be self-limited, it is essential that clinicians meet patient expectations by properly discussing the possible time course for resolution. Furthermore, being aware of, and prioritizing the knowledge of the duration of a skin disease can help limit continued exposure to side effects of prescribed treatments once the condition may have self-resolved or remitted.