General Dermatology
Our practice is equipped to handle nearly all your dermatological needs.
Let me first say, when you have a skin issue, whether it's acne, warts, skin cancer, wrinkles or something else, consider strongly, seeing the skin specialist, a dermatologist.
If you are pregnant, you see your ob/gyn. If you have high blood pressure, a cold or fever, you see your family doctor or internist. Trouble with your thyroid or diabetes leads to the endocrinologist. Had a heart attack or stroke? Your cardiologist or neurologist are the place to go. If your skin is the issue, your dermatologist is probably the best place to start.
Dermatology is the only medical specialty that receives years of training for one thing - skin!
It is the logical, common sense choice. I realize this concept, proposed by a dermatologist, may seem self serving. However, I did complete a full 3 year internal medicine residency, became board certified in internal medicine, and worked in many capacities as an internist. From first hand experience I can tell you that no other medical specialty gets any significant training in skin disease recognition or treatment.
General dermatology encompasses a wide range of topics: from transient, merely annoying conditions, to life threatening; from the acute self limited, to chronic and debilitating; from young to old.
Clearly, many patients will present with acne, warts, rashes, wrinkles, etc. but mole evaluation, and skin cancer screening are very important too. A rather extensive list of skin conditions treated by dermatologists, as well as many medications we use, and other dermatologic resources can be found by clicking Patient Education here.
General Dermatology Treatments
Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions treated by dermatologists. acne among different people may look very different, and often appears on the face, scalp, ears, neck, chest, shoulders and back. Most young people have acne to some degree, and many people from their 20's onward may develop acne, even if they did not have it as a youth. About 80% of adolescents have some form of acne and about 5% of adults experience acne. Acne Treatments
Moles (Nevi)
moles may be just about any color, but most often are some shade of brown. they may be completely flat, (often confused with freckles), or raised, and may appear anywhere on the skin. They occur when cells that are responsible for skin pigmentation, known as melanocytes, grow in clusters instead of being spread out across the skin. Generally, moles are less than one-quarter inch in size. Most moles appear by the age of 40, although some moles may appear later in life.
Mole Evaluations
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that creates red patches of skin with white, flaky scales. It most commonly occurs on the elbows, knees and trunk, but can appear anywhere on the body. The first episode usually strikes between the ages of 15 and 35, but may first appear at almost any age. It is a chronic condition that will then cycle through flare-ups and remissions throughout the rest of the patient's life. Psoriasis affects as many as 7.5 million people in the United States. About 20,000 children under age 10 have been diagnosed with psoriasis.
Psoriasis Treatments
Rashes
"Rash" is a general term for a wide variety of skin conditions. A rash refers to a change that affects the skin and usually appears as a red patch or small bumps or blisters on the skin. The majority of rashes are harmless and can be treated effectively with over-the-counter anti-itch creams, antihistamines and moisturizing lotions.
Skin Rashes
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes facial redness, acne-like pimples, visible small blood vessels on the face, swelling and/or watery, irritated eyes. This inflammation of the face can affect the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead or eyelids. More than 14 million Americans suffer from rosacea. It is not contagious, but there is some evidence to suggest that it is inherited. There is no known cause or cure for rosacea. There is also no link between rosacea and cancer.
Rosacea Treatments
Skin Cancers
Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancers, affecting more than one million Americans every year. The total number of skin cancers diagnosed each year is far greater than the total of all other cancers combined. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. Skin cancers are generally curable if caught early. However, people who have had skin cancer are at a higher risk of developing a new skin cancer, which is why regular self-examination and doctor visits are imperative.
Skin Cancer Screening
Warts
Warts are small, harmless growths that appear most frequently on the hands and feet. Sometimes they look flat and smooth, other times they have a dome-shaped or cauliflower-like appearance. Warts can be surrounded by skin that is either lighter or darker. Warts are caused by different forms of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). They occur in people of all ages and can spread from person-to-person and from one part of the body to another. Warts are benign (noncancerous) and generally painless.
Wart Treament
Wrinkles
Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process. They occur most frequently in areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, back of the hands and forearms. Over time, skin gets thinner, drier and less elastic. Ultimately, this causes wrinkles - either fine lines or deep furrows. In addition to sun exposure, premature aging of the skin is associated with smoking, heredity and skin type (higher incidence among people with fair hair, blue-eyes and light skin).
Wrinkle Treatments
For much more information on these and other skin conditions, click on our
Dermatology Patient Education