At the 2026 Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA) Summer Dermatology Conference, Lisa Swanson, MD, of Ada West Dermatology, shared key clinical pearls from her session focused on common pediatric dermatology conditions, emphasizing practical treatment strategies for infantile hemangiomas and warts.1
Key Takeaways
- Infantile hemangiomas can cause significant complications, and clinicians should feel empowered to treat them early and appropriately.
- The shortage of pediatric dermatologists makes it increasingly important for general dermatology providers to manage common pediatric conditions.
- New and emerging wart treatments, including topical therapies and saltwater soaks, may offer effective and less painful alternatives for patients.
- HPV vaccination may have benefits beyond cancer prevention, including a potential role in wart management and protection against occupational HPV exposure.
A major focus of Swanson’s presentation was helping clinicians feel more confident managing infantile hemangiomas. Although hemangiomas are exclusively pediatric conditions, she noted that many clinicians remain hesitant to treat them despite the significant impact they can have on patients and families. Swanson stressed that untreated hemangiomas can be disfiguring, painful when ulcerated, and a source of considerable anxiety for caregivers, making timely intervention important.
How to Address Hemangiomas in Children:
“These babies need treatment,” Swanson stated. “Hemangiomas can be disfiguring, they can be painful when they ulcerate, they can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for the patient and their family, and so we need to feel brave enough to tackle hemangiomas.”
To help attendees feel more comfortable treating these lesions, Swanson reviewed how she counsels parents regarding available therapies, safety considerations, and potential adverse effects. She also shared before-and-after images demonstrating the effectiveness of current treatment approaches. Given the nationwide shortage of pediatric dermatologists, she noted that just over 400 pediatric dermatologists practice in the United States, with seven states still lacking one entirely. Swanson encouraged dermatology clinicians to take a more active role in managing hemangiomas and to seek guidance when needed rather than delaying care.
How to Treat Warts in Children:
The session also featured discussion of several wart treatment strategies. Swanson highlighted a prescription topical therapy known as ‘WartPEEL,’ which she described as one of her preferred options because of its high effectiveness, relatively rapid results, and painless application. According to Swanson, the treatment often clears warts within several weeks while avoiding the discomfort associated with many traditional therapies.
She also reviewed emerging evidence supporting saltwater soaks for plantar warts, citing encouraging data suggesting meaningful treatment success. In her practice, the approach has been given the patient-friendly nickname “the mermaid treatment,” a reference intended to improve engagement and adherence among younger patients.
What Are the Benefits of the HPV Vaccine for Warts?
Additionally, Swanson discussed the potential use of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as a treatment strategy for certain wart cases. While acknowledging that this remains an off-label approach, she reviewed studies evaluating both intramuscular and intralesional administration. Beyond wart management, Swanson also encouraged dermatology clinicians to consider HPV vaccination for themselves, citing occupational exposure to HPV-containing surgical plume and its potential association with head and neck cancers.
Disclosures: Swanson previously disclosed serving as a consultant for AbbVie, Alphyn, Arcutis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Castle, Dermavant, Galderma, Incyte, Janssen, Leo, Lilly, Novan, Pfizer, Sanofi-Regeneron, and Verrica.
References
Swanson L. Pediatric Track: Pediatric Pearls. Presented at SDPA Summer 2026. Jun 10-14, 2026.
