Acne
Acne, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, includes blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and cysts that occur on the face, chest, neck, back, shoulders, and upper arms. Acne affects the hair follicle and sebaceous gland when there is a blockage. Acne affects all gender, races, and ethnicities equally. It is prevalent in adolescents and young adults. However, it may occur in children and adults of all ages. It is recommended to get the acne treated before the acne leaves behind any scarring.
Actinic keratosis
Actinic keratosis (AKs) are common skin growths. AKs are caused by years of UV exposure from the sun or indoor tanning beds. They tend to appear on the skin that receives the most sun: forehead, neck, chest, ears, scalp (especially bald scalp), arms, hands, and/or lower legs. If AKs occur on the lips, it is called actinic cheilitis and looks white/graying scaly patch on a dry, cracked lip. AKs are dry, scaly, and rough textured but not all AKs look alike. Those that are skin-colored feel like sandpaper. Others can be red bumps or crusted growths. AKs can be the size of a pinhead to larger than a quarter.
Alopecia
Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss. Alopecia may be localized or diffuse and can affect the scalp or other parts of the body. Hair loss can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age, and ethnicity. Hair loss can be an isolated problem, or associated with another disease or condition. Hair loss can also be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause.
Atypical Moles
Everyone has moles somewhere on their skin. Some may have more than others. Some may have atypical moles (dysplastic nevi). We have to watch out for atypical moles because they have the potential to turn into skin cancers. Common moles are small, round with a smooth edge or border, flat or raised, uniform in color and no change in color, size, and/or shape. Atypical moles are larger (relative to the other moles on the body), have an odd shape or irregular shapes, and/or are multicolored.
Eczema
Eczema is a generic term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed, irritated and/or itchy. There are two major types of eczema: allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema and many people use these terms interchangeably.
Fungal Infections of the Skin
For most people, a fungal infection causes a mild skin rash or itch. Most fungal infections develop on the skin but can also affect the nails and hair. “Tinea” is the medical name for fungal skin infections. It is quite easy to get fungal infections and can spread easily from person to person (i.e. sharing an infected towel, while walking barefoot on an infected floor). People increase their risk of getting a fungal infection when their skin stays wet for long periods. Fungi grow quickly in warm, moist areas. Most common areas of fungal infections are feet, finger and toe nails, and groin area.
Herpes simplex
Herpes simplex is a common viral infection. If you’ve ever had a cold sore, you’ve been infected with the herpes simplex virus. Most cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (aka oral Herpes). A different yet closely related herpes simplex virus, HSV-2, causes most cases of genital herpes. Either virus, however, can cause a herpes sore, most commonly on the face or genitals.
Herpes zoster
Herpes zoster is the medical term for shingles. Shingles is a painful skin rash that often blisters. Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. The virus that cause chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus) stays in the body. This virus always causes chickenpox first. When the chickenpox clears, the virus travels to nerve cells where it remains dormant. Reactivation of the virus causes shingles. While not clear of what exactly causes the reactivation, a weakened immune system seems to play a role. About 50% of the population who develop shingles are 60 years of age or older.
Hives
The medical term for hives is urticaria. Hives are pink welts or swellings that can burn, itch, and/or sting. Hives can vary in size from as small as a pen tip to as large as a dinner plate. Generally, hives resolve on their own within 24 hours. Hives can appear on any part of the skin. When the hives appear around the eyes, lips, or genitals, swelling may be greater than normal. Anyone can get hives. Hives are typically the result of an allergic reaction; however, there are many nonallergic causes. Finding the exact cause can be difficult. In some cases, testing, such as allergy tests, bloodwork or a skin biopsy may be helpful.
Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating. People with hyperhidrosis seem to have overactive sweat glands. They may sweat even when their body does not need cooling. Most often, the sweating occurs on the palms, feet, underarms, and/or head. While the rest of body remains dry, one or two areas may drip with sweat. Excessive sweating can interfere with everyday activities but can also lead to other medical conditions. Because the skin is often wet, fungal and other skin infections may occur.
PDT
Photodynamic therapy, also known as PDT, is a common procedure used for the treatment of acne, other skin conditions, and certain types of cancer
Perioral dermatitis
Perioral dermatitis is a rash that usually occurs around the mouth. Perioral means “around the mouth”. Anyone can get perioral dermatitis. The rash is most common in young and middle-aged women. Symptoms of perioral dermatitis include redness, swelling, and acne-like bumps that circle around the lips. Many people report slight burning sensations when eating, washing, or applying skin products on the area. The rashes can also cause flaky skin and slight itch.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is characterized by clearly defined, red, and scaly plaques. It is classified as an immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID). Psoriasis affects everyone (gender, age, and race), though it is particularly common in Caucasians and in adults between the ages of 45-64. About one-third of patients with psoriasis have family members with psoriasis. Clinically, psoriasis plaques are symmetrically distributed, red, scaly (flaky) plaques with well-defined edges. The scale will typically silvery white, except in skin folds where the plaques may appear to be shiny. Psoriasis usually occurs on the scalp, knees, elbows, hands, and feet.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic rash on the central part of the face. Some people call them “constant rosy cheeks”. It is common in those with fair skin, blue eyes, and of Celtic origins. Common symptoms include redness across the nose and cheeks (which can spread to the chin, forehead, and/or chin), acne-like breakouts, thin reddish veins, skin that feels hot, tender, sore, or easily irritated. In some rosacea patients, the affected skin may grow thick due to enlargement of oil glands—this is typically more common in men than women. When this occurs on the nose, it is called rhinophyma. Rosacea can also affect the eyes, called ocular rosacea. They symptoms include bloodshot or watery eyes, eyes that feel dry, itchy, irritated, or gritty and/or burning or stinging in the eyes.
Seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin disease that causes a red, scaly, itchy rash typically on the scalp, eyebrows, folds around the mouth, and ears. This can last for years without self-resolving and it can also clear and flare without warning. Seborrheic dermatitis affects people of all ages and occurs most often in infants and older adults and in men more than women. Seborrheic dermatitis might be caused by yeast that lives on our skin and an excess release of oil from the skin.
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer. Nearly all cases are cured with treatment. BCCs appear in many shapes and sizes but are more commonly seen as: dome- shaped growths with visible blood vessels, shiny pinkish patches, sores that heal and returns (may occasionally bleed), brown/black growths, or white/yellow waxy growths that looks like scars. Most BCCs develop on skin that gets repeated exposure to the sun, especially on scalp, neck, and hands. But BCC can develop anywhere on the body. Any exposure to UV rays (i.e. sun, indoor tanning salons) increases the risk of developing BCC. When detected early, BCC is highly curable.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. When detected early and treated properly, SCC is highly curable. SCC appears on the skin in many shapes which include rough/crusty bumps, rough/red flat patches, dome-shaped bumps that grow and bleed, and/or sores that do not heal or heal and then returns. Most cases of SCC occur on skin that get sun exposure like the face, ears, lip, hands, arms, and legs. Rarely, SCC can occur inside the mouth and on the genitals. Some SCCs begin as a precancerous growth called Actinic Keratosis or AK. Exposure to UV rays, indoor tanning bed usage, having strong family history, and/or exposure to chemical carcinogens may cause SCC. When detected early and treated properly, SCC is highly curable. Left untreated, SCC may spread making treatment quite difficult.
Melanoma
Anyone can get melanoma. When found early and treated, the cure rate is nearly 100%. Melanoma is deadliest form of skin cancer. With early detection, melanoma can be effectively treated. Anyone can develop melanoma but those with light skin, hair, and eyes, a lot of moles, history of blistering sunburns, history of tanning bed usage, and/or strong family history of melanoma have a higher risk of developing melanoma. For people with skin of color, melanoma is typically found on areas of the body that are not typically exposed to the sun. The bottoms of the foot, inside the mouths, and nails are the more typical areas.
Warts
Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is contagious, so it is easy to get the virus. Many people get a wart when they have skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a wart. You can also get a wart by touching something that has been touched by someone with warts. The type of wart you get depends on the type of HPV and where it is located. The types of warts include: common warts (fingers, around the nails), plantar warts (bottoms of feet), flat warts (anywhere on the skin), genital warts (in and around the genital region).