PSORIASIS
Condition Information
Psoriasis is skin condition consisting of scaly, inflamed patches of skin usually on the elbows, knees and scalp. It may also be on other areas and may be associated with arthritis of the knees, hands and back. Although the exact cause of psoriasis is unclear, imbalance of the immune system appears to play a role. There can be a genetic component in psoriasis. It is not infectious.
Treatment Information
Topical treatments include prescription cortisone creams, tar creams, and topical medications derived from vitamins D and A. Patients can come for light therapy in our offices. Narrow band-UVB is available in our Encinitas and La Jolla offices. Our Oceanside office offers narrow band-UVB hand and foot treatment, and UVB and UVA therapy. Internal medications include immunosuppressive agents, vitamin A related medication, and immuno-biologic agents.
ECZEMA
Condition Information
Dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin. Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) is a condition in which patients develop inflamed, itchy patches on the skin, most often the extremities, trunk, and face. Eczema can be associated with asthma, hay fever, and allergies in the patient or family members. The cause of eczema is not known. Eczema can affect all ages, including babies.
Treatment Information
Treatment includes avoiding triggering factors, such as dry skin, irritating substances and infection. Additionally, cortisone creams, emollients and the newest topical immunomodulating medications (such as Elidel and Protopic) can be used. Ultraviolet light and systemic medications, such as oral cortisone and immunosuppressives, are used for the most resistant cases.
CONTACT DERMATITIS
Condition Information
Contact dermatitis is an allergic or irritant reaction to a substance that has touched the skin. This can be a cream, lotion, cosmetic, plant, metal, dye, shoe or clothing component, soap or detergent, etc. The classic example of contact dermatitis is poison ivy.
Treatment Information
Identifying the cause of the contact dermatitis can be straightforward, or may require extensive detective work or patch testing. Until the source of the dermatitis is found and avoided, treatment can be with cool compresses, cortisone creams or pills, and protective clothing, creams and lotions.
FUNGUS
Condition Information
Fungus and yeast can infect the skin, nails, and hair. Fungal infections may be circular patches or scaling areas between the toes or in the groin. Infected nails are usually yellow or white and thickened and crumbly.
Treatment Information
Topical antifungal creams and lotions are usually the first line of treatment. If these are ineffective, oral medications such as Lamisil, Sporonox or Griseofulvin can be prescribed.
UNUSUAL RASHES
Condition Information
Unusual rashes can be bumps looking like tumors, areas that look like burns, blistering conditions, conditions over joints or around the eyes associated with internal problems, such as fever, joint pains, headaches, muscle aches and pneumonia. The actual diagnoses for patients may turn out to be lupus, pemphigoid, pemphigus, granuloma annulare, erythema nodosum, to name a few. If you end up having these types of conditions, your practitioner will discuss each with you.
Treatment Information
Workups, usually including blood tests and skin biopsies, are usually necessary to get to the cause of these unusual rashes. We at Dermatologist Medical Group of North County have established a reputation in the San Diego area as being among the best dermatologists asked to consult and evaluate some of these most challenging patients.
BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
Condition Information
Bacterial infections of the skin may be pustules, boils, crusted areas or painful red patches.
Treatment Information
Identifying that there is an infection and determining the appropriate antibiotic needed to treat it is done at the time of the initial visit. Bacterial cultures are performed if the type of organism or its sensitivity to antibiotics is in question.
WARTS
Condition Information
Warts (also called verrucas) are caused by human papilloma virus infection of the skin. Warts can affect any part of the skin and mucous membranes. They are not malignant, but can be very annoying and persistent. Some strains of the papilloma virus can cause pre-cancerous wart growths, in particular in the groin mucosa and cervix.
Treatment Information
Many treatments are available for warts, the simplest being over-the-counter patches and solutions. In office treatment can include freezing warts, or applying different destructive solutions. Prescriptions for home treatment include chemicals to boost the immune system to fight off the wart virus or topical chemotherapies. Warts usually need multiple treatment visits for total resolution.
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