Common Skin Conditions

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the United States. Typically when people think of acne, they think mostly of people in their teenage years. Research shows that acne is occurring more often in children under age 12. We also see a large number of adults, particularly adult females affected by acne. There are many options in the treatment of acne including topical and oral medications.

Actinic Keratosis or AK are precancerous lesions on the skin that can lead to non melanoma skin cancer. They appear as pink or red slightly scaling spots, most often on sun exposed areas. They can be itchy and some patients describe them as feeling like they have a briar in the center of them, especially when the hand runs over one. There are a number of treatment options your board certified dermatologist can discuss with you to treat these lesions.

Many people are affected by athletes foot. It is scaling and peeling, with or without itching, on the bottom of the feet and between the toes. The skin peels and sometimes blisters form. Athlete′s foot is often easily treated with topical medication, and rarely requires oral medication.

Fever blisters are caused by a Herpes type virus. This results in burning, itching and finally small blisters occurring, most commonly around the mouth. There is no cure for cold sores, however there are a number of oral and topical medications that can shorten the duration of the fever blister.

Hyperhidrosis is the name given to the condition where people have increased sweating on the palms, soles or in the axillae (armpits). The severity of the condition differs with each patient. Some patients are easily managed with topical medication. Some required a medical device to treat their condition and occasionally Botox is used to slow down the activity of the sweat gland. There is a new laser device that also treats hyperhidrosis by destroying the sweat glands non-surgically.

Even though melanoma is not the most common kind of skin cancer, it is one of the most dangerous types of skin cancer. Melanoma is often a brown spot. It may be very small in diameter or large. Often it has irregular shaped borders and contains more than one color, such as brown, black, red, blue or even white. Rarely a melanoma may be amelanotic, or without any pigment whatsoever. In these cases they are often just small pink bumps. Melanoma is almost 100% curable in its earliest state, or Stage 0. As the melanoma grows more deeply it becomes more unpredictable and has a chance to spread to the lymph nodes, liver, brain, lungs or to other distant sites in the body. People with a lot of moles are at a higher risk for melanoma, as is anyone with a history of blistering sunburns. Patients should have changing spots evaluated promptly by a board certified dermatologist.

Melasma is a tan or dark skin discoloration and is also referred to as the ′mask of pregnancy′ but does not have to occur in pregnancy. It can occur with any increase in hormones, such as with hormonal contraceptives. It can also occur from chronic sun damage/sun exposure and affects both males and females. Topical treatment is the main treatment for melasma, but lasers and light devices can also be helpful.

Molluscum are small clear or pink bumps that commonly affect children. They often have a small core in the center. Molluscum are caused by a virus that infects the skin. They are harmless, but can become quite numerous in some children. Though there is not a cure, they can be treated with freezing, scraping or the application of a liquid in the office.

Psoriasis is a rash that causes thick red spots with a silver scale. The most common places affected are the knees, elbows, and scalp though it can occur anywhere. There are specific types of psoriasis, of the hands and feet for example. Many patients can manage their psoriasis with medications used on top of the skin; however, on occasion oral or injectable medications must be used. A small number of patients also have arthritis associated with their psoriasis. These patients often require more aggressive therapy to manage their skin and joint disease.

Rosacea is a complex skin condition. For some patients it results in redness of the central face and dilated blood vessels. Others may get many small red bumps, some of which can look like traditional acne bumps. Many patients describe them as tiny red blisters that can sting and itch. There is an enlargement of the nose, mostly in men, that can occur. Lastly there is a flushing version of rosacea that can be quite bothersome. Treatment of rosacea is targeted at the main complaint of the patient and can be very effective.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common rash of the scalp, eyebrows and face that results in red scaly places. In infants it is referred to as ′cradle cap′. It tends to occur in oily skin types but can occur in anybody. There are many treatment options for this condition.

Non melanoma skin cancers are the most common types of skin cancer. These include basal cell carcinoma (most common) and squamous cell carcinoma (2nd most common). Basal cell carcinomas often occur on sun exposed skin and can be easily treated in their small and early stages. Sometimes patients will neglect to have a spot treated that is allowed to grow quite large. In this case basal cell carcinoma can still be cured, but the surgery required to remove it may be extensive and lead to a large scar. Patients have had most of their noses, ears, or eyelids removed in the past from large basal cell carcinomas. This is why your dermatologist will recommend having changing lesions biopsied and treated while they are small if possible. Basal cell carcinomas almost never spread to other areas of the body.

Squamous cell carcinomas also often occur on sun exposed skin, but can occur other places. For example, sometimes cancers arising in the lung are squamous cell carcinomas. Often skin cancers on the lip, tongue or throat are squamous cell cancers. Risks beyond sun exposure for the development of squamous cell carcinomas include smoking, chewing tobacco, and alcohol abuse. When they are small, squamous cell carcinomas on the skin can be easily treated with minor outpatient surgical procedures. High risk squamous cell carcinomas such as those arising on the scalp, lips or mucosa can sometimes spread to distant locations. Early detection and treatment are the key.

Warts are small bumps caused by a virus that infects the skin that can occur anywhere but are commonly seen on the hands and feet. Children often have small flat wart on the face. There is not a cure for warts, but many treatments can be tried to help get rid of them. Warts are most often treated in the office with cryosurgery or ′freezing′.

Wrinkles are a normal result of aging, however, that does not mean that we must all live with our wrinkles. Botox and Xeomin are both medications that can be administered in our office to alleviate wrinkling in certain areas of the skin. They are both FDA approved, and very safe and effective when used correctly. Juvederm and Belotero can also improve wrinkling and facial folds. They are also FDA approved for these indications. At our practice your treatment will always be performed by one of our board certified dermatologists.