Getting a child in to see a dermatologist can take nearly three months, and the barriers are significantly worse depending on where you live and what type of practice is nearby. A cross-sectional study published in JAMA Dermatology on March 18, 2026, quantifies what many parents already suspect: pediatric dermatology access is in crisis, with wait times and availability varying dramatically across the country. How Long Are Families Actually Waiting for Pediatric Dermatology Appointments? Researchers led by Elizabeth Garcia-Creighton of the University of Colorado School of Medicine used trained mystery callers posing as parents to request new-patient appointments across 30 cities in 29 states during a single week in October 2024. The callers contacted 137 board-certified general dermatologists and 226 pediatric dermatologists with three common scenarios: an infant with a hemangioma (a benign blood vessel growth), a toddler with atopic dermatitis (a chronic inflammatory skin condition), and a teenager with acne. The results paint a stark picture of access disparities. The median wait for a pediatric dermatologist was 89 business days, compared to 53 days for a general dermatologist. That gap held across all three conditions tested: - Hemangioma: 49 days for pediatric specialists versus 26 days for general dermatologists - Atopic Dermatitis: 67 days for pediatric specialists versus 31 days for general dermatologists - Acne: 62 days for pediatric specialists versus 30 days for general dermatologists Which Families Face the Biggest Barriers to Care? Perhaps more concerning from an equity standpoint, nearly a third of general dermatologists declined to see pediatric patients at all. For families in communities without a nearby children's hospital or academic medical center, this effectively narrows the pipeline even further. The study found that academic practices had significantly longer wait times than private ones, and since pediatric dermatologists tend to cluster at academic institutions in urban centers, children in rural or underserved areas face a compounded disadvantage. The workforce math is unfavorable. Pediatric dermatology remains one of the smallest subspecialties in medicine, and its practitioners are concentrated in a limited number of metropolitan areas. When the general dermatology safety net also has gaps, families with fewer resources, less flexibility to travel, or limited insurance options bear the greatest burden. Steps to Navigate the Pediatric Dermatology Access Challenge - Start with Your General Dermatologist: If a pediatric specialist isn't available, ask your child's general dermatologist whether they can manage common childhood skin conditions like acne, atopic dermatitis, or hemangiomas. Many general dermatologists can provide effective care for these conditions, potentially cutting wait times in half. - Ask About Telemedicine Options: Some dermatology practices offer virtual consultations, which may reduce wait times and eliminate travel barriers for families in rural or underserved areas. - Contact Your Pediatrician for Referrals: Your child's primary care doctor may have relationships with dermatologists willing to see pediatric patients or may be able to manage mild skin conditions while you wait for a specialist appointment. - Explore Academic Medical Centers Early: While academic practices have longer wait times, they often have more resources and may offer clinical trials or specialized treatments for complex skin conditions. The authors of the study describe these barriers as persistent and clinically meaningful, and the data suggest that expanding the willingness and training of general dermatologists to manage common childhood skin conditions could meaningfully improve access for the families who need it most. This is particularly important for conditions like atopic dermatitis and acne, which are common in children and teenagers and can significantly impact quality of life if left untreated. For parents facing these delays, the key takeaway is clear: don't assume you need a pediatric specialist for every skin concern. Many general dermatologists are capable of providing excellent care for common childhood conditions, and seeking care from them could mean getting your child treated weeks or even months sooner.
