http://www.dermatologistrx.com Advice about acne, skin conditions, and more from our dermatologist. en-us http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/acneRX.asp Acne (acne vulgaris) is caused when the pore openings on the face, neck, back, chest and arms become plugged with to much oil (sebum) production made by the oil glands. Increased oil (sebum) is produced particularly during adolescence when the sex hormones are elevated and the oil glands have increased in size. As the pores become plugged with the excess oil and loose skin, blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and even deeper lumps, (cysts or nodules) occur. The oil is irritating to the surrounding skin causing redness seen in the pimples and pustules. Bacteria can also more readily grow in this environment further aggravating the acne. Acne affects mostly teenagers; however, the disease can affect both men and women into their 40’s. While acne usually clears up after several years even if untreated, you need not wait to outgrow it. Untreated acne can leave lifelong scars. While not a life threatening condition, acne can be upsetting and disfiguring. When severe, acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring. I consider acne to be 75% inherited from one’s parents, 12% caused from not cleansing the face and 12% caused from diet. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/rosacearx.asp Rosacea is an acne-like condition that occurs in women greater than men and usually begins after the age of 35. The classic lesion of rosacea is a pustule (a red bump with pus), although; swelling, flushing, redness and small blood vessels called telangiectasias can also appear on the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. Rosacea if not treated can progress to an advanced form with an enlarged nose and puffy cheeks called rhinophyma. Rosacea can also be associated with burning and grittiness of the eyes. This is a form of eye irritation is called rosacea conjunctivitis. If you have these symptoms one should see an ophthalmologist. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/agespotrx.asp Age spots, sun spots, liver spots, freckles and senile age spots are essentially the same. They are pea size to dime size shape brown to dark brown areas mostly on the backs of the hands, arms and face that are caused from excessive sun exposure. Sun causes the melanocytes (cells that produce pigment) to produce more melanosomes (pigment granules). Age spots can also be present on the face, back and legs. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/brittlenailrx.asp Brittle nails effect as many as 20% of the population and are more common in women than in men. Age also increases the propensity of brittle nails and longitudinal ridges that are raised lines from the lunula (the half moon area at the beginning of the nail) to the edge at the end of the nail. Nail fragility can also be associated with various dermatoses such as eczema, lichen planus, psoriasis and deficiencies in vitamins A, C and B6. Brittle nails are also induced from dehydration (loss of water from the nail plate). Repetitive hydration and dehydration from applying and removing fingernail polishes, the application of acrylic nails and many jobs (dental assisting, dental hygiene, dish washing, etc.) where one’s hands are washed often all contribute to brittle nails. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/bruisingrx.asp Bruising is caused when red blood cells go outside the normal circulatory channels (broken capillaries and veins).Bruising can be seen after trauma, scratching, scleroltherapy (injection of leg veins to treat spider veins), laser treatments and other surgical procedures. Also as people age the normal fat pad that protects the blood vessels on the arms and hands becomes depleated and broken blood vessels with bruising is more likely. Many people are also on blood thinning medications (aspirin, coumadin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and high dose Vitamin E) that makes bruising easier. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/eczemarx.asp Eczema and dermatitis are similar and describe an irritation or inflammation of the skin causing it to be red, itching and scaling. Eczema is generally broken into two main groups, inherited or Atopic Eczema and externally exacerbated eczema. Plants, chemicals or other external irritants can induce eczema, either by irritating the skin or by causing an allergic reaction. Irritants include washing the skin and working outdoors or washing dishes without gloves. Allergic responses can be triggered by nickel, poison oak, poison ivy, soaps and cosmetics. Abnormalities in the immune response (T cells) have also been shown to aggravate eczema. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/fungalrx.asp A fungal infection is usually caused by yeast (Candida) or a dermatophyte. These organisms cause the majority of infections commonly known as jock itch, ring worm, diaper rash, athlete¬˝s foot, and toe nail fungus. Other names for a fungal infection include onychomycosis, tinea cruris (groin), tinea capitus (scalp), tinea corporis (body), tinea pedis (feet), and intertrigo (under breast and in the groin). http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/glossary.asp Acne is a chronic disorder characterized by excess production of oil from sebaceous glands causing the hair follicles generally on the face, chest and back to become plugged. Pimples, papules, pustules and comedone, (black heads and white heads) cysts and infected abscesses can be treated in acne. Actinic keratoses are sun induced precancerous lesions that are thin to thick scaly patches of skin on sun exposed areas, backs of hands, arms and face. These can be prevented by wearing sunscreen and protective clothing. Anesthetics (topical) are creams or gels that cause the skin to become numb or lose sensation to pain or awareness. Ela-Max is a new topical anesthetic when applied for 1 hour before chemical peels, laser treatments and other skin procedures will lessen the pain. Hydrocortisone can also make the skin less sensitive to pain. Atrophic skin and wrinkles are other names for thin skin that has fine linesis thin and has fine lines. Anti-aging and anti-wrinkle preparations can be used to reduce wrinkles and "thicken" the skin. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/glossaryn-z.asp Nodule: a solid, raised bump that is larger than a papule. Nodules can be seen in nodular-cystic acne. Papule: small raised skin lesion usually smaller than 1cm. Papules can be seen in acne, drug eruptions, contact dermatitis, granuloma annulare, perioral dermatitis, rosacea and other skin disorders. Patch: an abnormal area of the skin can be flat or scaly. Patches can be seen in seborrhea, psoriasis, and eczema. Psoriasis: a genetic, chronic skin condition characterized by inflamed, red, raised symmetrical areas on the scalp, body and limbs that develop silvery scales. More information on psoriasis please click. Pustule (also called pimple) is a small raised bump on the skin filled with pus, which is usually composed of inflammatory cells. Pustules can be seen in acne, rosacea, fungal infections. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/handeczemarx.asp Hand eczema is the skin condition where the hands become red, chapped, scaling and can even have small painful vesicles (blisters) and cracks. The causes of hand eczema are many. They are usually broken down into two categories irritant and allergic hand eczema. Irritant hand eczema can be caused by frequently washing the hands and from the irritant effects of many detergents, soaps, and chemicals. An allergic reaction is where your body reacts through its immune system against various allergens to cause red, itching and chapped hands. Various allergens include nickel, detergents, latex in rubber gloves, fragrance in moisturizers and other chemicals. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/hyaluronicacid.asp The use of hyaluronic acid in both the cosmetic and medical industry is gaining momentum as its properties of scar reduction and aiding wound and ulcer healing are becoming well known. Cosmetic products containing hyaluronic acid hydrate the skin allowing it to appear smoother and more radiant. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/howpoisonoakrx.asp Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, all members of the plant genus Toxicodendron, are the three most common plants that cause contact dermatitis in America. Captain John Smith was the first to report an allergic disease in America related to these plants. Approximately 85 percent of the population will develop an allergic reaction to poison ivy, oak, or sumac if exposed to them. Treatment includes prevention by wearing long sleave shirts and pants, using skin protectant creams such as Poison Ivy Block before being exposed to the plants. Washing with a strong soap or Technu which washes off the resins of the plants after exposure to the plants can be helpful.. Hyrocortisone 1%, Sarnol HC or Aloe Cort Cream in addition to over-the-counter oral benedryl can also relieve the itch. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/psoriasisrx.asp Psoriasis is a skin disease that affects between 1-3% of the population. It can be seen in all ages. The cause of psoriasis is unknown; although research is actively being done to find a cure or adequate treatment. Presently, it appears that T-lymphocyte activation plays a major role in causing the skin to replicate 3-4 times more rapidly than normal skin thus causing silver red scaling patches and plaques to form. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/skincareregimen.asp First, select a cleansing regime for your particular skin type and skin problem. DermatologistRx.com has products for acne, normal skin, oily skin, and sensitive skin. Avoid bar soap. Obagi and Neostrata have cleansers particularly recommended by DermatologistRx.com. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/scarkeloidrx.asp Scars are the bodies normal mechanism of closing an open wound caused from trauma, accident or surgery. The body in a scar lays down new collagen which acts as small cables to bring the wound together. Scars do not look like normal skin because they lack hair follicles and sweat glands. Hypertrophic scars are scars that are raised. Keloids are scars that are raised and extend beyond the borders of a normal scar. Keloids have a tendency to occur more frequently in dark skin people. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/seborrhearx.asp Seborrhea, seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff are similar skin disorders that easily can be treated. Dandruff appears as scaling on the scalp without redness. Seborrhea is oiliness of the skin, especially of the scalp and face, with minimal redness or scaling. Seborrheic dermatitis is a red, scaly, itchy rash on the scalp, sides of the nose, eyebrows, eyelids, and the skin behind the ears and middle of the chest. Other areas, such as the navel (belly button) and skin folds under the arms, breasts, groin and buttocks, may also be involved. Seborrhiec dermatitis occurs in areas that have the highest concentration of sebaceous glands. A yeast-like organism may be important in aggravating seborrheic dermatitis. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/skinvitamins.asp Vitamin A (Retinol)(29% as Beta Carotene): Helps maintain the health and of the skin regulatesgrowth of skin cells. Beta Carotene helps protect the cell membrane and stimulate cell division. Vitamin C(Ascororbic Acid): Essential for the production of collagen, may help provide strong framework for tissue repair, helps skin regenerate. Vitamin E(tocopherol): Helps protect cells from oxidative damage and wrinkling. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/sunscreenrx.asp There are hundreds of sunscreens out on the market. Here are some general suggestions regarding selecting one that will give you the greatest sun protection. I recommend a sunscreen of at least an SPF 30 or greater if one is going to have prolonged sun exposure. This is because studies show that most people apply half as much sunscreen as they need. Use a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB, a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Padimate A, Padimate O and the cinnamates are common chemicals used to block UVB. Benzophenones, Anthranilates and Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) are common chemicals that block UVA light. I particularly like sunscreens with Parsol 1789. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/wartsrx.asp Warts are non-cancerous skin growths caused by a viral infection in the top layer of the skin. Viruses that cause warts are from human papillomavirus (HPV) family. Presently there are over 60 types of HPV warts. Warts are usually skin-colored and feel rough to the touch, but they can be dark, flat and smooth. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/westnilevirus.asp Transmission: The West Nile Virus is spread to humans by mosquitoes infected with the virus. The West Nile Virus is part of the Japanese Encephalitis serocomplex and belongs to the Flavivridae family. The mosquito gets the virus by biting infected birds. The virus is not normally spread from humans to humans, birds to humans or animals to humans. Other animals that can be infected with the West Nile Virus include dogs, cats, horses, and rabbits. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/woundandulcercare.asp Note: Ulcer diagnosis and care should always be done in conjunction with a physician. Use Products only as directed on the product package. Always, wash hands before and after treating a wound, abrasion, scrape or cut. Maintenance of a moist wound environment is standard care for wounds scrapes and cuts. http://www.dermatologistrx.com/FreeAdvice/wrinklesrx.asp How can I treat Wrinkles? Wrinkles, fine lines and the aging changes of roughness, pigmentation, sallow ness, laxity and dryness on the face or eyelids are the result of many factors. Approximately 90% of all changes in skin are due to prolonged exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet light (non-visible wavelengths of sunlight), cigarette smoking, ozone depletion, and pollutants are a few external and internal insults that can cause the skin to age. Ultraviolet light (UVB and particularly UVA) not only damages the DNA in the cells of the skin, but also inhibits the repair mechanisms that repair damaged skin cells. Ultraviolet light also generates free radical molecules of oxygen that can cause oxidative damage to the skin. The breakdown or depletion of DNA, collagen, Elastin, hyaluronic acid and other supporting molecules in the dermis all lead to the clinical changes of facial aging. Note: Wrinkles usually take 30 years to develop and are slow to remove. Most topical products are designed to moisturize and hydrate the skin, lessen fine lines, reduce roughness and pigmentation, and protect the skin from sun damage.