Medical Services Archives

What is impetigo? Impetigo is a very contagious skin infection. It commonly affects children between the ages of two and six, although it’s possible for older children and adults to get impetigo. What causes impetigo? A bacterial infection causes impetigo. Bacteria enter the skin through a scrape, cut, or insect bite and cause an impetigo infection in the skin’s top...

What are ingrown nails? Ingrown nails occur when a nail grows into the flesh around it rather than over it. This happens most often in the big toe. Ingrown nails are a common condition that can become extremely painful and could become infected if proper treatment isn’t sought.

Head lice are a common concern, especially among children and families. While they don’t cause serious health problems, lice can be uncomfortable, frustrating, and difficult to eliminate without proper treatment. If home remedies and over-the-counter products aren’t enough, our board-certified dermatology specialists can help you get rid of lice effectively and prevent them from coming back. What are lice? Lice...

What is lichen planus? Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition of the skin and mucous membranes. Although it doesn’t always require treatment, it can be itchy and painful, and prescription medication may be needed for relief. Your Forefront provider can diagnose lichen planus and determine if it needs medical attention.

What is lupus? Lupus is a long-term disease that can affect any area of the body. As an autoimmune disease, Lupus causes your immune system to attack healthy tissue in the body, resulting in pain, widespread inflammation, and tissue damage. Lupus affects many different systems of the body, including the skin, blood vessels, joints, lungs, heart, and kidneys. What causes...

What is melanoma, and is it cancer? Melanoma is the most dangerous and deadliest form of skin cancer. It begins in cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment that gives skin its color. In comparison with other types of skin cancer, melanoma occurs less commonly but is considered more serious. It can quickly spread throughout the body if melanoma treatment...

If your face has patches of tan or darker skin that aren’t consistent with your normal skin color, it could be melasma. Most common in women, it is sometimes referred to as the “mask of pregnancy,” although women who are not pregnant can have melasma too. What is melasma? Melasma typically appears as dark sections of skin that are irregularly...

What is Mohs surgery? Mohs surgery is the most effective treatment for the most common non-melanoma skin cancers, including basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. The Mohs procedure involves surgically removing skin cancer layer by layer and examining the tissue under a microscope until healthy, cancer-free tissue around the tumor is reached (called clear margins). Each Forefront Mohs surgeon is...

What Are Moles? Moles, also called nevi, are an extremely common type of skin growth. They can develop anywhere on the body and are typically brown in color, although they can also appear black, tan, pink, blue, or red. Most moles have an oval or round shape, and they commonly develop during childhood or adolescence. It’s normal for some moles...

What is molluscum contagiosum? Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin characterized by raised, dome-shaped bumps, sometimes with a shiny white dimple in the middle. The virus isn’t harmful, but it can cause irritation. It is easily spread through skin to skin contact, and is highly contagious.

What is nail fungus? Nail fungus is a fungal infection that develops under the body’s nails and is more common in toenails than in fingernails. This is because the feet are covered by shoes, which create the optimal environment for the growth of fungi. The fungi that cause the development of nail fungus are called dermatophytes, which are microscopic organisms...

If you suffer from a persistent, itchy, or painful rash, you may be experiencing allergic contact dermatitis. Unlike seasonal allergies that cause sneezing or watery eyes, skin allergies are often delayed reactions to substances you touch every day—from soaps and jewelry to work-related chemicals. At Forefront Dermatology, our experts use specialized patch testing to pinpoint the exact cause of your...

If you have spent years in the sun, you may have developed rough, scaly patches known as actinic keratoses (AKs). If left untreated, these "precancers" can evolve into squamous cell carcinoma. At Forefront Dermatology, we offer Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), a highly effective, non-invasive treatment that targets and destroys these damaged cells while leaving the surrounding healthy skin intact.

How does phototherapy treatment work? Phototherapy treatment uses various wavelengths of artificial ultraviolet (UV) light to trigger natural processes that reduce inflammation and prevent skin cells from growing too quickly. Regularly exposing the affected area(s) to this type of light can have many benefits for your skin. Other names for phototherapy include light therapy and heliotherapy. The main types of...

What is pityriasis rosea? Pityriasis rosea is a common skin rash that usually disappears on its own after a few weeks, though episodes of several months have been recorded. In rare cases, pityriasis rosea may cause severe itching. Most of the time, pityriasis rosea erupts on the chest, abdomen or back in what is known as a “herald patch” that...

Overview Poison ivy rash occurs when the skin comes in contact with the leaves, stems or roots of poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. These surfaces contain a resin called urushiol, which causes the rash in about half of those who touch or brush against them. Aside from the bothersome irritation of the rash symptoms, there are almost no...

What is psoriasis? Psoriasis is a common skin condition that leads to patches of dry, scaly, itchy skin. It isn’t contagious, however, and can’t be spread from person to person.

What is a rash? A rash is an area of skin that changes in color and texture, and may be irritated and inflamed. Rashes can be triggered by allergies, viruses, skin conditions, and environmental irritants. Almost everyone is affected by a rash at some time in their life.

What is ringworm? Ringworm is a common skin condition that appears as an itchy, circular rash. Despite its name, it is not caused by a worm but by a type of fungus called dermatophytes. Ringworm often appears as a red, itchy, circular rash with clearer skin in the center, giving it a ring-like appearance. It’s this distinctive ring that gives...

What is rosacea? Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that typically affects the face and sometimes the eyes. It’s common to mistake this inflammatory skin problem as acne, an allergic reaction, or eczema because of the redness and acne-like bumps it causes on the skin.

What is scabies? Scabies is a common skin condition that affects millions of people each year. It is caused by an infestation of a microscopic bug called the human itch mite. This tiny mite burrows into the outer layers of skin to lay its eggs. The body develops an allergic reaction to the mites, causing a very itchy rash. The...

Are you suffering from scleroderma? Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects your skin, connective tissues, muscles, bones, blood vessels, joints, and organs. It occurs when the immune system triggers your body to produce too much collagen. Collagen is a protein that strengthens skin and provides firmness and elasticity. When you have scleroderma, it causes your skin to become...

Scraping and Burning (ED&C): Effective Treatment for Skin Cancer If you have been diagnosed with a superficial skin cancer or a precancerous lesion, your dermatologist may recommend a procedure commonly known as "Scraping and Burning." Medically termed Electrodessication and Curettage (ED&C), this time-tested technique is a highly effective, office-based procedure used to remove specific types of skin cancer with high...