Primary Services Archives

What Is Acne? According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), acne is the most common skin disorder, and it affects up to 50 million people in the United States each year. Most people develop acne symptoms as teenagers, but it can also develop in adulthood. The AAD estimates that 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24...

Actinic keratosis, also called solar keratosis or senile keratosis, is characterized by thick, scaly or crusty patches or lesions on the skin, usually on areas that receive excessive sun exposure, such as the face, ears, neck, lips, forearms and the back of the hands. It is considered a precancerous skin condition. Actinic keratoses develop in range reaching to a quarter...

What Are Age Spots? Age spots are small, flat dark areas on your skin that can vary in size. They usually appear on parts of your body that are more exposed to the sun, such as your face, shoulders, hands, and arms. Age spots are also called sunspots or liver spots, although they have nothing to do with your liver....

Alopecia areata (hair loss) is an autoimmune skin disease that results in the loss of hair on the body. The autoimmune process is characterized by the body’s own immune system attacking hair follicles. The three types of alopecia areata are: Alopecia areata – skin loses hair in round sections of varying size Alopecia areata totalis – complete loss of hair...

Athlete’s foot is fungal infection that affects the skin between the toes. This form of ringworm is also contagious and can be spread to toenails and hands. Athlete’s foot impacts athletes and non-athletes alike, as well as men and women of all ages and races.

What Are Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers? Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are the most common types of skin cancer. Both start in the top layer of your skin (the epidermis). These cancers are usually found in areas exposed to the sun – such as your head, face, neck, and arms – but can occur anywhere on the...

A birthmark is a generally harmless irregularity on the skin caused by overgrowth of blood vessels, cells that contain pigment, smooth muscle and fat cells. Birthmarks can be flat or raised, have regular or irregular borders, and have different shades of coloring. Birthmarks earned their name as they appear at or shortly after birth. The two main types of birthmarks...

Botox® reduces sweating by temporarily blocking the nerve impulses that stimulate the sweat glands. Treatment is required every 4-6 months.  

What Are Cysts? Cysts are closed, sac-like capsules that can develop anywhere on the body, including the skin or inside the body. Common areas where a cyst might develop include the face, neck, genitals, and internal organs. They're typically filled with fluid but can also be full of air, tissue, or another type of substance. It is best to think...

Dry skin, also called xerosis, is a common skin condition that can happen to anyone at any age. Nearly all dry skin conditions do not represent serious health issues; however, dry skin can be a symptom of diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or malnutrition.

What Is Eczema? Eczema is a common skin condition that affects more than 31 million people in the United States, according to the National Eczema Association (NEA). It causes dry, scaly skin with redness and itching, and blisters or tiny bumps with a rash-like appearance. In severe cases, the skin may form painful cracks that bleed and form a crust....

A hemangioma, also known as a strawberry mark, is a type of birthmark that is almost always benign and disappears by the age of 10. Hemangiomas rarely require any medical treatment; however, in some cases, medical intervention may be warranted if the hemangioma presents a cosmetic challenge (large and visible), or if it starts to change shape or color or...

What Are Cold Sores? “Cold sore” is a general term for an oral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. Also known as fever blisters or oral herpes, cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that appear on, around, or inside your mouth. After the blisters break, scabs form that can last for several days. It usually takes 2-3 weeks for cold...

Perspiration is the body’s way of regulating the temperature in cases of extreme heat. Hyperhidrosis occurs when the perspiration is excessive and when temperature regulation triggers do not exist. Hyperhidrosis most often affects the: Palms Soles of the feet Groin area UnderarmsHyperhidrosis can cause nuisances such as the need to change clothing, but can also have a devastating effect in...

Ingrown nails occur when a nail grows into rather than over the surrounding flesh. Ingrown nails occur most often in the big toe. Ingrown nails are a common condition that can become extremely painful and could become infected unless proper treatment is sought. The overwhelming majority of ingrown nail cases are due to improper footwear, specifically, cramped shoes with insufficient...

Is Melanoma 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 it's considered more serious. It can quickly spread throughout the body if melanoma treatment isn't started early. Your...

Melasma appears on the face as sections of tan or dark skin not consistent with the patient’s normal skin color. Melasma usually appears slowly and is thought to be the result of sensitivity to hormonal changes. The dark facial patches are irregularly shaped and have no symptoms beyond their appearance. There are no long-term physiological effects of melasma; however, melasma...

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 Psoriasis? Psoriasis is a common skin condition that leads to patches of dry, scaly, itchy skin. It isn't contagious and can't be spread from person to person. What Are Psoriasis Symptoms? Psoriasis symptoms can vary for each person and depend on the specific type. Most people with this condition have red, inflamed patches of skin that are covered...

What Is Ringworm? Ringworm is a common skin condition that appears as an itchy, circular rash. Despite the name, no worms are involved – ringworm gets its name from its circular shape. What Causes Ringworm? Ringworm is caused by a fungal infection that spreads in various ways. You can catch ringworm if you touch another person or animal (primarily cats,...

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 Does Rosacea Skin Look Like? Rosacea causes your face and neck to blush or...

What Are Scabies? Scabies is a common, highly contagious skin condition that affects millions of people each year. Scabies is an infestation of the skin caused by a microscopic bug called the human itch mite. This tiny mite burrows into the outer layers of skin where it lays eggs. The body develops an allergic reaction to the mites, causing a...

What Is Seborrheic Keratosis? Seborrheic keratosis is a non-cancerous (benign) skin growth. Due to their wart-like appearance – and the fact that most people get them when they’re middle-aged or older – seborrheic keratosis growths are often called the “barnacles of aging.” But because seborrheic keratosis often looks like a pre-cancerous skin growth (actinic keratosis) or even skin cancer, finding...

What Causes Shingles? Shingles is a nerve infection that triggers a painful rash on your skin. A shingles rash can appear anywhere, but typically appears on only one side of your face or body. The rash consists of small blisters that typically scab over in 7-10 days. Most shingles rashes clear up in a few weeks, but the pain can...

What Is Skin Cancer? Skin cancer is the uncontrolled overgrowth of abnormal skin cells. This abnormal growth of cells is caused by unrepaired DNA damage, which triggers a mutation that causes skin cells to multiply quickly, forming cancer cells. Anyone can get this type of cancer, and it can occur anywhere on the body, but it's more likely to develop...

What Is Vitiligo? Vitiligo is a skin disorder that causes skin to lose its pigmentation. In place of color, your skin develops smooth, white areas called macules (if less than 5 millimeters in size) or patches (if 5 millimeters or larger). If you have vitiligo in a place on your body that has hair, the hair may also turn white....

What Are Warts? Warts are raised, skin-colored growths that can develop almost anywhere on the body and may resemble a cauliflower or solid blister. Most warts are completely harmless, but people often consider wart removal for a variety of reasons, including embarrassment and wanting to avoid spreading them to others. What Causes Warts? A group of viruses called the human...