Medical Services

Acne

What is it?

Acne is the term for blocked pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples and deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that appear chronically on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms as a result of abnormalities within the hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

What are the symptoms?

• Pimples (recurrent red spots on the skin)
• Whiteheads
• Blackheads
• Inflamed cysts
• Scarring

Who gets it?

Nearly 17 million Americans are affected by acne. While this condition most often affects teenagers as a result of increased hormones and overactive sebaceous glands, adults of any age can have acne.

How is it treated?

The best treatment for acne depends on the type and severity of the condition. Many cases can be treated with prescription or over-the-counter topical medication, oral medication or a combination of the two. Results may take six to eight weeks to appear, and acne can sometimes get worse before it gets better.

More severe cases of acne may require stronger medications such as isotretinoin, an oral drug that helps reduce the size of the sebaceous glands and prevent new lesions from developing. Over 90 percent of acne cases can be successfully treated with isotretinoin.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

What is it?

Allergic contact dermatitis is a skin condition caused by allergic reaction to a certain material that comes in contact with the skin. The reaction appears on the skin as a rash several hours or several days after contact.

What are the symptoms?

• Rash
• Itching
• Swelling
• Blistering
• Redness
• Cracked skin

Who gets it?

Anyone can be affected by allergic contact dermatitis, which involves sensitivity to certain allergens that seem otherwise harmless, such as nickel, rubber, medications, fragrances, poison ivy and other plants.

How is it treated?

Most cases of allergic contact dermatitis will go away on their own, but medications can be taken to relieve symptoms. Corticosteroids and antihistamines are often effective in relieving the symptoms of a reaction by reducing inflammation.

The best defense against this condition is to avoid contact with the trigger substance, which can help prevent symptoms from occurring. It is important to identify the individual trigger that caused your symptoms, so that it can be more easily avoided.

Alopecia Areata

What is it?

Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease that causes a person’s hair to fall out as the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Hair often falls out in clumps and can be maintained in a small area or may lead to severe hair loss.

What are the symptoms?

• Hair loss on the scalp and other areas of the body
• Itching as the hair regrows
• Uneven regrowth of hair

Who gets it?

Anyone can be affected by alopecia areata, and nearly 2% of the American population will develop the disease at some point. Some people may have an increased risk if they have a family history of the disease or of other autoimmune disorders such as diabetes or lupus. Children and young adults are also commonly affected.

How is it treated?

Although alopecia areata cannot be cured, there are several treatment options available to help promote new hair growth and prevent further hair loss. Corticosteroids are often used to treat autoimmune diseases and may be administered as injections, pills or topical ointment to suppress the immune system from attacking the hair follicles.

Rogaine and other hair growth products can be used to help stimulate hair growth from areas that have been affected. A combination of these treatment options may improve their effectiveness, but there is no guaranteed treatment for alopecia areata.

Eczema

What is it?

Eczema refers to a group of inflamed skin conditions that cause chronic, relapsing, itchy rashes. It is also known as atopic dermatitis, and can be triggered by contact with coarse or rough materials touching the skin, excessive heat or sweating, or allergen triggers.

What are the symptoms?

• Rash
• Dryness
• Itching
• Scaling
• Leathery skin texture

Who gets it?

About 15 million people in the US suffer from some form of eczema, including 10 to 20 percent of all infants. It is most common in infants and children under the age of five. While there is no known cause for this condition, it appears to involve an overactive immune system in the presence of certain material. Many people with eczema also allergies, or have family members with the condition, or with allergic rhinitis or asthma.

Infants with eczema usually have itchy patches on the scalp and face, although the condition tends to go away on its own over time. Teenage and young adult patients with eczema often have itchy patches of skin on the elbows and knees, although they may also develop on the hands, feet, ankles, wrists and face.

How is it treated?

Although there is no cure for eczema, most cases can be effectively treated through home methods such as moisturizing lotions, cold compresses and by avoiding scratching. Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid creams and ointments or antibiotics to treat infections. Ultraviolet (UV) light therapy may be recommended for severe cases.

Pruritus

What is it?

Pruritus is an unpleasant sensation that causes the urge to scratch the skin, and is often accompanied by other skin diseases. The cause of the sensation is unknown, but involves nerves that respond to chemicals released in the skin.

What are the symptoms?

• Itching
• Discomfort
• Symptoms from related skin conditions

Who gets it?

Pruritus often occurs in patients with other skin conditions, such as hives, chicken pox and eczema, as well as parasitic infections like lice. Different conditions may causing itching in different areas.

Itching may also be an indicator of a more serious internal condition such as kidney failure, hepatitis, lymphoma, anemia, pinched nerves and even HIV.

How is it treated?

The most effective treatment for pruritus is to treat the underlying cause of the itching. A blood test, skin scraping or biopsy may be performed to determine the cause. If the cause of the pruritus is unknown, topical steroid creams and oral antihistamines can often provide symptom relief. Moisturizing the affected area is also helpful in relieving the itching sensation.

Psoriasis

What is it?

Psoriasis is a group of chronic skin disorders that causes itching, burning and crusting of the skin as a result of constant inflammation of the skin. While skin usually replaces itself once every 30 days, patients with psoriasis have their skin replaced every three to four days. This condition most often affects the scalp, elbows, knees, hands, feet and genitals.

What are the symptoms?

There are five different types of psoriasis, each with its own set of symptoms:

Plaque psoriasis

most common type of psoriasis
raised, thick patches of red skin covered by silvery-white scales

Pustular psoriasis

pus-like blisters surrounded by red skin

Guttate psoriasis

small, red spots on the skin
may begin as a sore throat but usually goes away on its own
most common on children and young adults

Inverse psoriasis

red lesions that develop in the folds of the skin
most commonly found in the armpit, under the breasts and around the buttocks and genitals

Erythrodermic psoriasis

redness, itching and pain all over the body

Who gets it?

Psoriasis affects over 4.5 million adults in the US, and can affect males and females equally. Many patients with psoriasis have a family history of the condition. Most cases develop before the age of 40, with some cases beginning during infancy or early childhood.

How is it treated?

While there is no cure for psoriasis, there are several treatment methods available to control symptoms for months or even years at a time. The best treatment for each case depends on the type, severity and location of the condition, but may include topical medication, phototherapy, photochemotherapy or injectable medication for more severe symptoms.

Rosacea

What is it?

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes redness and swelling primarily on the face, but can also affect the scalp, neck, ears, chest, back or eyes. The symptoms of rosacea tend to come and go over time, but can usually be treated.

What are the symptoms?

• Redness
• Pimples
• Swelling
• Dryness
• Burning
• Eye irritation

Who gets it?

Rosacea affects over 14 million Americans, and while anyone can develop this condition, it is most common in light-skinned, light-haired adults between the ages of 30 and 50. It also tends to run in families and affect people of Northern or Eastern European descent. The cause of rosacea is unknown.

How is it treated?

The most effective treatment for rosacea depends on each patient’s individual case, as symptoms can vary from person to person. Your doctor will work with you to design the best treatment plan for you, which may include topical medication or oral antibiotics, laser treatments and lifestyle changes. Treatment may be needed on a long-term basis to help prevent flare-ups from occurring.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

What is it?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common condition that causes flaking of the skin, most commonly on the scalp as dandruff. It can also appear on the face, chest, arms, legs and groin, causing a greasy and scaly appearance of the skin.

What are the symptoms?

• Flaking
• Redness
• Scaling
• Itching

Who gets it?

Seborrheic dermatitis is most common in infants younger than three months old, and in adults between the ages of 30 and 60 years old. In adults, men are more commonly affected than women. This condition is also common in people with oily skin or hair, and is often associated with acne or psoriasis as well.

How is it treated?

Treatment for seborrheic dermatitis depends on which area of the body is affected, as well as the patient’s age. Dandruff can usually be treated with shampoo containing salicylic acid or prescription medication. On other areas of the skin, steroid lotions are often effective. In infants, seborrheic dermatitis can usually be treated with a mild, nonmedicated shampoo and by brushing the scalp with a soft brush to loosen flakes.

Vitiligo

What is it?

Vitiligo is a common skin condition in which pigment cells are destroyed and white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. Hair growing in these areas may turn white as well. Vitiligo can affect any area of the skin, but is most common on the face, lips, hands, arms, legs and genital areas.

What are the symptoms?

• White patches
• Premature gray hair
• Spreading of white patches

Who gets it?

Vitiligo affects one to two million Americans, and usually begins before the age of 40, with about half of all patients developing the condition before the age of 20. This condition may run in families as well, although having parents with vitiligo does not necessarily mean that a child will develop the condition. Some cases of vitilgo are also linked to certain autoimmune diseases, including hyperthyroidism, alopecia areata and anemia.

How is it treated?

There are several treatment options available for patients with vitiligo, although treatment may be required for 6 to 18 months in order for pigment to be restored to affected areas. Cortisone cream, laser treatments, intense pulsed light and skin grafting may be used to restore lost pigment. The most common treatment for vitiligo is PUVA therapy, which combines ultraviolet A light treatment with a medication called psoralen.

UVB Light Therapy

What is it?

Ultraviolet light B (UVB) therapy is minimally invasive procedure used to effectively treat the the itching, burning and crusting of psoriasis. By exposing the skin to an artificial UVB light source on a regular schedule, growth of abnormal skin cells is slowed and the condition slowly heals. In addition to treating psoriasis, UVB therapy can also be used to treat vitiligo.

How does it work?

UVB therapy can be administered in the doctor’s office or in the patient’s home with a unit purchased with a doctor’s prescription. The affected area is exposed to the UVB light for a certain amount of time, several times a week.

What are the different types of UVB treatments?

There are two different methods currently used for UVB treatment. Broad-band UVB is the most commonly used form of treatment and uses a broad range of light at shorter wavelengths to slow the growth of abnormal cells. Treatments are administered three to five times a week for several months

Narrow-band UVB is a newer treatment option that involves a more specific range of UV wavelengths and can often clear symptoms faster and provider longer remission periods. It also involves fewer treatment sessions. As the results of narrow-band UVB are proven over time, this treatment may be used much more frequently to help treat psoriasis. Narrow-band UVB can also be used as an alternative to PUVA.