Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. It typically begins around puberty when hormonal changes stimulate the production of oil, or sebum, in the sebaceous glands of the skin. Clogging of the pores by excess sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria then causes the formation of acne bumps, which may take the form of whiteheads, blackheads, red bumps, pustules, or cysts.
Acne severity will vary from person to person; breakouts may be occasional and mild, or if dealing with cystic acne it may consist of very large, painful, red, and draining cysts that heal with scarring. Acne blemishes, discoloration, blotchiness, and scars can be a significant source of distress for many people, especially during adolescence.
While acne severity tends to lessen as a person leaves the teenage years, some women, in particular, will continue to suffer from acne breakouts into their 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond. These women are genetically predisposed to hormonal breakouts because their sebaceous glands are more sensitive to stimulation by testosterone. Hormonal acne may worsen with menstrual periods, hormonal contraceptives, pregnancy, polycystic ovaries, or stress.
Fortunately, there are many effective treatment options available for all types of acne. The primary goal is to maintain clear, healthy skin, boost self-confidence, and avoid scarring. Some patients do well with a regimen consisting of washes and/or creams, while others require treatment with short-term oral antibiotics, oral contraceptive pills, or non-hormonal anti-androgen therapy. Severe or resistant acne may be safely and effectively treated with isotretinoin (Accutane). Other forms of treatment would include skin peels, red light therapy, blue light therapy, and laser. Treatment for red and brown discoloration, as well as acne scarring, is also available.
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the skin of the face.
Individuals suffering from rosacea may experience any combination of the following symptoms:
Rosacea affects at least 16 million people in the United States and is most commonly found in those with fair skin.
The cause of the condition is unknown and appears to be influenced by a complex set of environmental and genetic factors. Possible causes include defects in the immune system, nervous system, blood vessels of the skin, bacteria on the surface of the skin, and Demodex mites.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for rosacea but there is a wide range of treatment options available for all of its frustrating symptoms. Identification of rosacea triggers can be helpful in controlling flares. The most common would be sun exposure, emotional stress, hot or cold weather, wind, alcohol, spicy foods, heavy exercise, hot baths, heated beverages, and irritating skin-care products. The most effective approach to treatment is combination therapy tailored to a patient’s individual needs. A treatment plan may include an anti-inflammatory skin regimen, sun protection, topical and oral prescription medications, and laser therapy.
The National Rosacea Society website is an excellent resource for those wanting to learn more about this common condition.
Atopic dermatitis, often called eczema, affects a substantial portion of the US population. The disease affects approximately 30 million Americans, including 10-20% of children. It typically begins in the first year of life and manifests as itch, redness, irritation, and chronic dry skin. Commonly affected areas are the face, scalp, and the folds of the elbows and knees. Atopic dermatitis is caused by an over-reactivity of the immune cells, which is probably influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
Asthma and hay fever (seasonal allergies), commonly occur together with eczema. Many, though not all, children outgrow symptoms of eczema by the time they reach adolescence, though the propensity for dry skin usually remains. Here at The Center for Dermatology and Laser Surgery we also treat different types of Eczema such as seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and others. Contact Us today for more information on Eczema.
For any individual with eczema, the key to successful treatment is managing triggers and treating inflammation. Common triggers would be dry skin, stress, heat, sweating, environmental allergens, topical irritants, and secondary infections. A diligent regimen of moisturization is always necessary to support the skin’s natural barrier function. Topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors aid in the treatment of rash. UVB light therapy may be useful to achieve control over larger areas of affected skin. For severe flares or chronic eczema, oral corticosteroids or immune-modulating medications may be required.
The National Eczema Association website contains a wealth of information for those suffering from eczema or for the parents of children who are suffering from the disease.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder in which an individual’s immune system begins to recognize and attack the melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin. This produces light-colored or completely white patches of skin in the affected areas, the most common of which would be the face, arms, hands, feet, and genitals. It may be difficult to recognize this depigmentation in a light-skinned individual, but in those with darker skin, the contrast can be quite noticeable. Vitiligo is not life-threatening or contagious, but it is often a source of distress for those who are afflicted by the condition.
There is no cure for vitiligo, and while it may be difficult to restore pigment to the affected skin, there are several ways in which the condition may be treated. Topical and oral anti-inflammatory medications can target the immune cells responsible for the depigmentation. UVB light therapy and Excimer laser can be effective in re-pigmenting skin over time as well. Often a combination approach has the greatest chance of success. In rare cases, when there is a very large affected area of the body, and especially in light-skinned individuals, complete depigmentation with a topical lightening agent may be the treatment of choice. At any stage of the disease, it is vital to practice strict sun protection as areas of skin without pigment are extremely sensitive to sunburn, sun damage, and the development of skin cancer later in life.
To learn more about vitiligo, or to connect with others who have vitiligo, visit the American Vitiligo Foundation website.
Warts are benign skin growths that occur when the human papillomavirus (HPV) infects the upper layers of the skin. A person contracts HPV through skin-to-skin contact, or with an object that recently touched a wart. While warts most commonly occur on the hands and feet, they can appear anywhere on the body including the face and genitals. They may appear as thickened bumps on the hands and feet, flat pink bumps on the face and lower legs, or sometimes they are cauliflower-like.
Children are more likely to have warts because their immune systems have not learned to recognize and suppress HPV. Warts may spontaneously disappear at any time, though many do not. Warts are often unsightly, embarrassing, or uncomfortable depending on their size and location. Liquid nitrogen is the most common treatment for warts, however, there are many options for treatment including cantharus, laser, cautery, immunotherapy, and surgical removal. Even very young children can be treated effectively with little discomfort.