Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis

Eczema—also known as Atopic Dermatitis—is a common skin condition that affects approximately 10 to 20 percent of patients worldwide. Patients with atopic dermatitis typically present with an intense itch that needs to be scratched.

Scratching then leads to redness, swelling, cracking, weeping, crusting, scaling, thickening and pigment changes of the skin. This intense itch may be widespread or confined to certain areas, such as the arms and legs or the face of infants.

There are many other conditions that can mimic atopic dermatitis, so it is important that you are properly diagnosed and under the care of a dermatologist.

Acne Scarring

Acne scarring can manifest with either raised or depressed scars. Each type is caused by different circumstances. When your body begins to patch up the affected area by creating collagen fibrous tissue, it can literally go into overdrive, called hypertrophy, and produces too much collagen in response to the damaged tissue. The fibers pile on top of each other, resulting in a raised mass of new skin tissue.

The new tissues are often called keloids and are most commonly located on the chest, back and shoulders. If an insufficient amount of collagen fibers are created to heal the skin, it can result in depressed scars. These can appear as tiny “dents,” rippling, or “ice pick scars” across the affected area. These are far more common than keloids and affect the face more frequently. Treatment options vary depending on the type of scar.

Consult our office for the latest treatment options.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common skin condition where the skin develops areas that become thick and are covered with silvery scales. It is a common problem, and millions of people in the United States have psoriasis. The course of psoriasis is quite variable, but in most sufferers it is a chronic problem that continues for years. The presence of psoriasis can cause emotional distress.

There are several ways psoriasis can start. In most sufferers, the tendency to get psoriasis is inherited. Inherited psoriasis usually starts in older childhood or as a young adult. Sometimes, especially in children, a virus or strep throat triggers brief attacks of tiny spots of psoriasis.

In middle-aged older adults, a non-hereditary type of psoriasis can develop. These change more rapidly than the inherited form, varying unpredictably in how much skin is involved. Most types of psoriasis show some tendency to come and go, with variable intensity over time.

Psoriasis flare-ups may be triggered by changes in climate, infections, stress, excess alcohol, a drug-related rash and dry skin. Medications may trigger a flare up weeks to months after starting them. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Indocin, Advil, Feldene, others), blood pressure (beta-blockers such as Tenormin, Inderal), oral steroids such as prednisone, or depression (lithium).

Many treatment options are available.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a common skin disease that often begins as a tendency to flush or blush. Early rosacea may be difficult to recognize. When it first develops, the redness seems to come and go. Signs and symptoms of rosacea include:

• Red areas on your face with the tendency to flush or blush easily
• Visible small blood vessels on your nose and cheeks (Telangiectasia)
• Small, red bumps or pustules on your nose, cheeks, forehead and chin
• Red, bulbous nose (Rhinophyma)
• Burning or gritty sensation in your eyes (Ocular Rosacea)

Rosacea usually appears in phases, and may begin as a simple tendency to flush or blush easily.  It may then progress to a persistent redness in the central portion of your face, particularly your nose. This redness results from the dilation of blood vessels close to your skin’s surface. As signs and symptoms worsen, vascular rosacea may develop — small blood vessels on your nose and cheeks swell and become visible (Telangiectasia). Your skin may become overly sensitive.

Vascular rosacea may also be accompanied by oily skin and dandruff. Though the exact causes of rosacea remain a mystery, a number of factors can aggravate rosacea or make it worse by increasing blood flow to the surface of your skin. Some of these factors include:

• Hot drinks or foods
• Spicy foods
• Alcohol
• Temperature extremes
• Sunlight
• Stress, anger or embarrassment
• Strenuous exercise
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure and hot flashes
• Hot baths, saunas
• Corticosteroids and drugs that dilate blood vessels, including some blood pressure medications