Acne
Acne is a chronic disorder, which affects the hair follicles and sebaceous glands, causing clogged pores. Acne affects teenagers and numerous adults, and consists of pimples, whiteheads and blackheads, large papules, and cysts. Acne may also cause scarring.
There are numerous treatments available for all types of acne.
- Topical creams and lotions are available to treat mild to moderate acne by effectively opening pores to reduce inflammation.
- Oral antibiotics are used in addition to topical ointments to treat severe or resistant acne.
- Hormone treatments are available for woman who have acne that has continued beyond the adolescent years.
- Chemical peels, acne surgery and laser surgery are treatment options for more severe acne cases.
- Accutane is also available for patients with resistant acne. This course of treatment can have side effects, so close monitoring is necessary. (If you are pregnant or become pregnant, please speak to your Doctor before taking this medication as it can cause birth defects.)
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes the face to appear red, flushed and/or inflamed. Tiny blood vessels mostly around the forehead, chin and lower half of the nose enlarge, and appear like tiny red lines. Rosacea is mostly common among adults, age 30 to 50.
Some treatment options for rosacea include:
- Topical prescription antibiotics, azelic acid, sulfur compounds and other anti-inflammatory compounds are often used to treat mild rosacea.
- For more severe cases of rosacea, oral antibiotics may be used.
- Laser treatments, including the V beam laser or Diolate laser can be used to remove dilated or enlarged blood vessels.
Moles
Moles usually develop during childhood and adolescent years, and affect almost all teenagers and adults. A mole is made up of nevus cells that grow in the skin. Normal moles are consistent in color, and may appear flat or symmetrically dome-shaped and raised.
Atypical Moles
An atypical mole is the type of mole that grows out of control and may have some atypical characteristics. Although atypical moles aren’t cancerous themselves, they are a sign for patients who are at higher risk for melanoma. Typically an atypical mole will not turn into melanoma, and if it does not change in size, shape and/or color, it usually will not have to be removed. Your Doctor will help determine whether your mole should be removed or not.
Melanoma
Early detection of melanoma is vitally important, and if left untreated can be harmful to one’s health. If detected early, melanoma can more easily be treated and prevention of future metastasis made possible. We offer safe and effective treatments for early detected melanoma, which can be done in our office with local anesthesia. If deeper melanomas are detected, more extensive treatment may be required, and we usually will refer these patients to an oncologist or plastic surgeon.
“A B C D E” Guidelines
Melanomas are usually rather large and irregular in shape and color. Benign moles, on the other hand, are normally small and symmetrically round or oval. Below is a helpful guideline in detecting melanoma in moles:
- A = Asymmetry of outline
- B = Border irregularity
- C = Color irregularity
- D = Diameter greater than 6 mm
On average, one in every 75 Americans has a risk of developing a melanoma. There are a number of items that can increase this risk, including:
- Having over 50 moles
- Having atypical moles
- Family history of melanoma
- Have had two or more blistering sunburns before the age of 18
- Having fair skin, freckles and sensitivity to the sun
- Having occasional excessive sun exposure on weekends or on vacations
We recommend you perform self-examinations once a month, and if you suddenly notice a mole or a spot that is irregular, seek consultation from your Doctor. If there is any suspicion about the mole, your Doctor will perform a biopsy so it can be pathologically examined.
Skin Cancer
In addition to melanoma, there are two other common types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Actinic Keratoses
Actinic keratoses are pre-cancers that are recognized rough-surfaced patches on sun-exposed skin. They can sometimes be sensitive and feel like sandpaper. Some actinic keratoses develop into skin cancers like squamous cell carcinomas, so it is important to seek treatment. Liquid nitrogen is usually used to treat actinic keratoses. They can also be treated with various prescription topical creams.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is recognized as pearly white bumps with fine red blood vessels on the surface that do not heal after two weeks. It is the most common cancer, and makes up the majority of the 1.5 million skin cancers diagnosed every year. Basal cell carcinoma rarely ever spread to other parts of the body, and is the most curable type of skin cancer. It can although, deeply effect and even disfigure the eyes, nose, lips, ear or other body parts.
Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Squamous cell carcinomas are usually rough-surfaced bumps that grow deeper into the skin. One type of squamous cell carcinoma is called a keratoacanthoma, which has the resemblance of a volcano with a crater in the center. It may be very tender. Although they usually only have a harsh reaction to the local area, some may spread to local lymph glands. Another type of squamous cell carcinoma is Bowens Disease, also known as Squamous Cell Carcinoma in SITU. It is usually confined to the top layer of skin.
Treatment Information
If you are suspicious of a spot or spots on your body, it is very important that you seek consultation from your Doctor, so they can determine whether treatment is necessary. A biopsy is the best way to determine if a spot is cancerous or not. This will provide your Doctor with the information needed to determine the best course of treatment for your specific condition.
There are a number of treatment options for skin cancers, including:
- Excision (performed in our office with local anesthesia)
- Curettement and dessication
- Mohs micrographic surgery (often used for skin cancers on the face)
- Radiation therapy
During your consultation, your Doctor will discuss your treatment options thoroughly with you. The appropriate treatment depends on the type of skin cancer, the location of the skin cancer and patient and doctor preferences.
Prevention Information
To help prevent skin cancer, it is important that you consistently use sunscreen, protective clothing and avoid excessive sun exposure on a daily basis. Tanning beds should also be avoided as they can also contribute to skin cancer. We recommend that you perform full body self-examinations on a monthly basis to help detect pre-cancers and skin cancers at its earliest stages. If you detect a new or non-healing growth, you should schedule a consultation with your Doctor.
Sun Protection
Below are some important facts about the sun and tips to help you protect yourself from photodamage aging and skin cancer.
1. Avoid Sun Exposure
Although most wrinkles, discolorations, pre-cancers and skin cancers can be enhanced or treated by medications, lasers, liquid nitrogen and surgery, the most effective approach to maintaining younger looking, cancer-free skin is to avoid excessive exposure to the ultraviolet lights produced by the sun.
Sunscreen cannot protect your skin as much as avoidance can. When the sun is at its strongest (during midday), try to stay indoors. If you are outdoors, try to keep your arms, legs and trunk covered with sun protective clothing. Find clothes designed specifically for hot weather that protect your skin against UV rays, and at the same time keep your body cool.
2. Protect Your Skin from UV-B and UV-A Rays
Skin cancer and sun burns can be caused by lengthy exposure to UV-B rays. Although UV-A rays are more associated with the tanning response rather than burning, the rays can penetrate deeper into the skin, ultimately causing prolonging damage to the collagen in the skin, resulting in wrinkles, as well as causing skin cancer.
UV-B and UV-A rays are strongest during the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and while window glass can protect from UV-B rays, UV-A rays can pass right through. Sunscreen that blocks both UV-B and UV-A rays should be worn all day every day, especially for those with blue and hazel eyes. The application of sunscreen should not be limited to the spring and summer seasons, but should also be worn during the fall and winter, as well.
Tanning beds can be harmful to all people, no matter the eye color. Tanning parlors using UV-A rays should be avoided at all costs because the effects of the rays can ultimately damage one’s DNA.
3. Use Sunscreen with a High SPF
SPF, or sun protection factor, lets people know how much time they can be exposed to UV-B rays before getting sunburned, compared to not wearing sunscreen. Here’s an example: a person with fair skin takes only 10 minutes to get sunburned without sunscreen, while wearing sunscreen will protect their skin for 150 minutes. Keep in mind, SPF only applies to UV-B rays, so people may still be getting a large amount of UV-A rays unless their sunscreen contains UV-A protective ingredients.
While SPF 15 gives enough protection for most people to avoid sunburns, the majority of people do not apply the recommended amount of sunscreen for complete protection. Therefore, the higher the SPF the better. This will help make up for under application, sun deprivation and wipe off. Apply sunscreen generously so you are to achieve the labeled SPF. Sunscreen should be reapplied after the skin is wiped off from swimming and perspiration, and reapplied every one to two hours, if in direct sunlight.
Although some feel more protected while in a shaded area, the truth is this shade, whether it be provided by a cloudy day, an umbrella or a hat, only blocks UV-B and UV-A rays 30 – 60%. While some protection is better than none, we still recommend sunscreen and protective clothing be worn whether you are in the shade or not.
Sunscreen Does Not Increase Skin Cancer
There are incorrect studies that have shown that the use of sunscreen increases skin cancer. Don’t be misled. Studies have proven that people who have regularly used sunscreen compared to the same amount of people who did not use sunscreen, had dramatically lower levels of pre-cancers and skin cancers, as well as less wrinkles, dark spots and moles. It is important to follow the rules for protection against the damaging rays of the sun. This will help keep your skin looking younger and healthier!
4. Wear Sunglasses
Help protect your eyes by regularly wearing sunglasses that block UV-B and UV-A rays. This will help reduce the chance of getting cataracts and macular degeneration. People of all ages and eye color should protect their eyes from the sun from the very beginning. This is especially true for those with blue or hazel eyes.
Psoriasis
Condition Information
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that mostly consists of scaly, inflamed patches of skin usually appearing on the elbows, knees and scalp. It can sometimes appear and other areas and is possibly linked with arthritis of the hands, knees and back. Psoriasis is not contagious. Its exact cause is still uncertain, but an imbalance in the immune system and sometimes genetics can play a role.
Treatment Information
There are a number of different treatments available for psoriasis, including:
- Topical treatments (prescription cortisone creams, tar creams and topical medications derived from vitamins A and D.
- Light Therapy
- Internal medications (immunosuppressive agents, vitamin A medications and immuno-biologic agents)
Contact Dermatitis
Condition Information
Contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction to a specific material that has come in contact with the skin. A good example of contact dermatitis is poison ivy, but other common causes can include: clothing materials, soap, detergents, lotions, makeup, metal, dye, etc.
Treatment Information
Identifying the source of the contact dermatitis may be simple, but can sometimes require extensive testing. Patients can treat contact dermatitis with cool compresses, cortisone creams or pills, lotions and protective clothing. Once the cause of the allergic reaction is identified, avoidance is the best treatment.
Eczema
Condition Information
Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is a condition where the skin develops inflamed patches, most often on the extremities, trunk and face. The cause of eczema is unknown, but it is often associated with asthma, hay fever and allergies. Eczema can affect people of all ages, including infants.
Treatment Information
To help treat eczema it is important to avoid triggering factors such as dry skin, infection and irritating substances. Other treatment options include:
- Topical treatments (cortisone creams, emollients and immunomodulating medications)
- Light Therapy
- Internal medications (immunosuppressive agents)
Unusual Rashes
Condition Information
Unusual rashes can appear as blisters, areas that resemble burns, bumps or conditions over joints or around the eyes that are related with internal problems, such as joint pains, headaches, fever, etc. Your Doctor will help determine the correct diagnosis for your specific case, as well as the proper treatment options.
Treatment Information
To help determine an accurate diagnosis, blood tests and skin biopsies are usually required. This will provide your Doctor with the necessary information to determine the best course of treatment for your specific condition.
Fungus
Condition Information
Fungus can infect the nails, hair and skin. It can appear in circular patches or scaling areas between the groin or toes. You can detect an infected nail by its appearance, which is usually yellow or white and thickened and crumbly.
Treatment Information
Topical antifungal creams are usually used first in treatment. If these are ineffective, oral medications, such as Lamisil, Griseofulvin or Sporonox can be prescribed by your Doctor.
Warts
Condition Information
Warts originate from a human papilloma virus infection of the skin. They can affect any part of the skin, and are not malignant.
Treatment Information
There are numerous treatments available for warts, including:
- Over-the-counter patches and solutions
- Freezing (performed in office)
- Prescriptions
Multiple treatment visits are usually necessary for total resolution.
Bacterial Infections
Condition Information
Bacterial infections of the skin may consist of boils, crusted areas, pimples or painful red patches.
Treatment Information
During your initial visit, your Doctor will identify the infection to determine the appropriate antibiotic needed for treatment. If needed, bacterial cultures may be performed for better diagnosis.
