A personalized approach is needed to treat patients with disrupted microbiomes | AAD 2026

Sonal Choudhary, M.D., FAAD, a dermatologist and dermatopathologist at the University of Pittsburgh, takes a holistic, personalized approach to treating patients with disrupted microbiomes. Her integrative appointments are longer than typical visits, allowing her to explore patients' diet, hormonal health, sleep, stress, and lifestyle — not just their skin.

She may order gut microbiome testing to identify specific imbalances, such as low prebiotics, H. pylori, or insufficient pancreatic enzymes, then tailor interventions accordingly. Dietary changes are a cornerstone — she uses a custom anti-inflammatory diet protocol developed by her team. She also addresses sleep and stress, which significantly impact the microbiome. Her approach is precision-based, recognizing that no single solution works for everyone.