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General Dermatology

Skin Cancer

Skin cancers are the most common type of cancer can be highly curable with early detection and treatment. Our physicians are highly skilled in the detection and diagnosis of skin cancers and we offer a wide array of treatment options for our patients.The two most common types of skin cancer are Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) which can be treated in our office with procedures such as electrodessication and curettage (scraping and cauterization) or surgical excision. Depending on the size and location of the skin cancer, your dermatologist may recommend that you are treated with Mohs surgery in our office by our experienced Mohs surgeon, Dr. Kimberly Eickhorst. Learn more about this state of the art procedure by visiting our Mohs Surgery page.

Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer, that when detected early and treated has a cure rate of nearly 100%. It can develop from an existing mole or present as a new growth on normal skin. It can also appear under fingernails or toenails.

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Preventing, detecting, and treatment of any skin cancer begins with visiting our office for a skin examination. Our professional and qualified staff will guide you through your examination and discuss skin care and sun protection, evaluation and diagnosis of conditions, and treatment or procedure options. Your physician will discuss how often they suggest having routine skin examinations and can make recommendations for proper sun protection, including the right sunscreen for your skin type.

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the United States, most often affecting teenagers and young adults. We specialize in the treatment of acne, using multiple approaches to find the best combination of therapy to help our patients achieve clear skin. Acne treatments can include:

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  • topical therapy using prescription or nonprescription medications
     

  • systemic therapy using oral antibiotics, isotretinoin, or corticosteroid injections
     

  • laser or light treatments to treat active acne lesions and acne scarring
     

  • microdermabrasion to stimulate cell turnover and treat scarring or chemical peels to rejuvenate skin and prevent new acne lesions

Acne

Psoriasis is a chronic, genetic condition that causes a build-up of rapidly generated skin cells on the skin’s surface. There are many types of psoriasis and none of them are contagious conditions. Psoriasis occurs when the immune system sends a faulty signal causing skin to grow too rapidly and collect on the surface of the skin in patches . Because of the many different types of psoriasis, it can present in a number of different ways and differently for each individual. Our dermatologists will examine the skin and order diagnostic tests to determine the type and how to properly treat psoriasis. They may even recommend phototherapy treatment in our office where we are equipped with light boxes that administer ultraviolet B (UVB) light, a proven and effective treatment for psoriasis.

Psoriasis

Rosacea is a common skin condition that can cause redness or flushing around the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead or ears. It can also cause acne-like breakouts, oily skin, soreness or irritation of the skin, and thin red to purple veins to appear. Our physicians can determine the best treatment options for patients with rosacea which can include:

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Rosacea

Actinic Keratoses (also known as “sun spots”) are common precancerous lesions that are caused by years of sun exposure. Because of this, they are most often found on skin that has the most sun exposure, such as the ears, face, neck, arms, hands, bald scalp, and lower legs. Actinic keratoses are considered precancerous lesions as if they are left untreated, they may develop into skin cancer later on. Common treatments that our physicians utilize for Actinic Keratoses depend on the number, area, and frequency of occurrence of the lesions. These treatments include:

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  • cryosurgery or freezing of the lesion with liquid nitrogen
     

  • topical chemotherapy or immunotherapy
     

  • Photodynamic or BLU-U® Light
     

  • Ameluz® therapy

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For more information on these or other skin conditions, please call our office for an appointment with one of our clinicians.

Precancerous Lesions: Actinic Keratosis

A seborrheic keratosis (seb-o-REE-ik ker-uh-TOE-sis) is a common noncancerous skin growth. People tend to get more of them as they get older.

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Seborrheic keratoses are usually brown, black or light tan. The growths look waxy, scaly and slightly raised. They usually appear on the head, neck, chest or back.

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Seborrheic keratoses are harmless and not contagious. They don't need treatment, but you may decide to have them removed if they become irritated by clothing or you don't like how they look.

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You can have seborrheic keratosis removed if it becomes irritated or bleeds, or if you don’t like how it looks or feels, there are several options in removing a seborrheic keratosis which include:

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  • Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery)
     

  • Scraping the skin's surface (shave removal)
     

  • Burning with an electric current (electrocautery)

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Source: Mayo Clinic

Seborrheic Keratosis

Angiomas are benign growths made up of small blood vessels. They can appear anywhere on the body. The three most common types are cherry angiomas, spider angiomas, and angiokeratomas. Cherry angiomas are red or purplish in color and don't usually grow larger than 1/4-inch in diameter. They can appear alone or in clusters. Spider angiomas are red spots caused by a collection of small blood vessels on the surface of the skin. They often have a red center and thin, reddish lines that spread out like "spider's legs". Angiokeratoma is a benign lesion of capillaries, resulting in small marks of red to blue color and characterized by hyperkeratosis (a thickening of the outer layer of skin).

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Angiomas may become irritated (such as from rubbing against clothing) however, since angiomas are harmless, treatment is considered cosmetic. There are three ways to have angiomas treated:

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  • Electrodessication uses an electric needle to destroy the blood vessels in the growth
     

  • Laser treatment uses a beam of intense, focused light to remove the growth

Angioma

Dermatitis is a general term that describes a common skin irritation. It has many causes and forms and usually involves itchy, dry skin or a rash. Or it might cause the skin to blister, ooze, crust or flake off. Three common types of this condition are atopic dermatitis (eczema), seborrheic dermatitis and contact dermatitis.

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Dermatitis isn't contagious, but it can make you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. Moisturizing regularly helps control the symptoms. Treatment may also include medicated ointments, creams and shampoos.

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Types

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  1. Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

  2. Contact dermatitis

  3. Cradle cap

  4. Diaper rash

  5. Seborrheic dermatitis Symptoms

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Each type of dermatitis tends to occur on a different part of your body. Signs and symptoms may include:

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  • Itchiness (pruritus)

  • Dry skin

  • Rash on swollen skin that varies in color depending on your skin color

  • Blisters, perhaps with oozing and crusting

  • Flaking skin (dandruff)

  • Thickened skin

  • Bumps in hair follicles

 

The treatment for dermatitis varies, depending on the cause and your symptoms. In addition to the lifestyle and home remedies recommendations below, dermatitis treatment might include one or more of the following:

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  • Applying to the affected skin corticosteroid creams, gels or ointments

  • Applying to the affected skin certain creams or ointments that affect your immune system (calcineurin inhibitors)

  • Exposing the affected area to controlled amounts of natural or artificial light (phototherapy)

  • Using injectable corticosteroids for flares

  • Using oral corticosteroids (pills) or injectable dupilumab, for severe disease

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Source: Mayo Clinic

Dermatitis

Warts are small, grainy skin growths that occur often on your fingers or hands, but can occur anywhere on the skin, When on the feet they are called plantar warts.. Rough to the touch, warts also often feature a pattern of tiny black dots, which are small, clotted blood vessels.

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Warts are caused by a virus and are transmitted by touch. It can take a wart as long as two to six months to develop after your skin has been exposed to the virus. Common warts are usually harmless and eventually disappear on their own. But many people choose to remove them because they find them bothersome or embarrassing.

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Symptoms

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Warts usually occur on your fingers or hands and may be:

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  • Small, fleshy, grainy bumps

  • Flesh-colored, white, pink or tan

  • Rough to the touch

  • Sprinkled with black pinpoints, which are small, clotted blood vessels

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Treatment of warts varies based on the location of the wart, your symptoms and your preferences. Some of the treatment include:

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  • Stronger peeling medicine (salicylic acid)

  • Freezing (cryotherapy)

  • Other acids

  • Minor surgery

  • Laser treatment

 

Source: Mayo Clinic 

Wart(s)

Epidermoid (ep-ih-DUR-moid) cysts are noncancerous small bumps beneath the skin. They can appear anywhere on the skin, but are most common on the face, neck and trunk.

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Epidermoid cysts are slow growing and often painless, so they rarely cause problems or need treatment. You might choose to have a cyst removed by a doctor if its appearance bothers you or if it's painful, ruptured or infected.

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Symptoms

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Epidermoid cyst signs and symptoms include:

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  • A small, round bump under the skin

  • A tiny blackhead plugging the central opening of the cyst

  • A thick, yellow, smelly material that sometimes drains from the cyst

  • Redness, swelling and tenderness in the area, if inflamed or infected

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Treatment of epidermal cysts can include: 

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  • Injection

  • Incision and drainage

  • Minor surgery

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Source: Mayo Clinic 

Epidermal Cyst

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