Medical Dermatology at Dallas Dermatology and Aesthetics
Skin Cancer and Screening
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Your risk of developing skin cancer increases with any history of sunburns, a family history of skin cancers, and atypical moles among others. Fortunately, skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and highly treatable when found early and with regular screening. Here at Dallas Dermatology and Aesthetics you'll find our highly specialized dermatologist; expertise to help you prevent and find skin cancer, along with information to help you make informed treatment decisions.
Moles and Spots
Moles are a benign, common skin growths that appear as small, dark brown spots and appear during childhood and adolescence. For adults, new and changing moles can be a sign of melanoma, the most aggressive type of skin cancer. Our dermatologist recommend at least yearly skin cancer screenings for those at risk, in line with the American Academy of Dermatology specialty guidelines.
- New, rapidly growing moles, or moles that itch, bleed, or change color are often early warning signs of melanoma and should be examined.
- If detected early and treated properly, melanoma is highly treatable.
To help you spot skin cancer early, when it’s most treatable, Our dermatologist recommend becoming familiar with the ABCDE’s of melanoma:
- A is for Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half.
- B is for Border irregularity: The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
- C is for Color that varies from one area to another.
- D is for Diameter: While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.
- E is for Evolving: A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.
Acne
If you struggle with acne, you’re not alone. Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, with 40 to 50 million Americans dealing with acne at any one time. Most people who have acne are teenagers or young adults, but acne can occur at any age and persist through adulthood and can appear as whiteheads, blackheads, painful bumps, or deep cysts. Without treatment, dark spots and permanent scars can appear on the skin as acne clears. Dermatologist know that letting acne run its course is never the best advice as there are many effective acne treatments. This does not mean that every acne treatment works for everyone, but our expert dermatologist will work with you and formulate specific, customized treatment plans based on the type of acne, areas involved, severity, and your preferences to bring your acne under control.
Rosacea
Rosacea is sometimes confused with acne and can present with similar red bumps, but often involves facial redness and a tendency to blush or flush easily. The redness can slowly spread beyond the nose and cheeks to the forehead and chin. Rosacea can cause more than redness, including swollen skin, stinging and burning, and acne-like breakouts and requires specific topical or oral medications to help control the bumps and other symptoms.
Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, is a condition that makes your skin red and itchy. It's common in children but can occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is chronic and tends to flare periodically. A treatment plan often includes topical medications - sometimes systemic medications for severe cases, skin care, and lifestyle changes. Skin care and lifestyle changes can help prevent flare-ups. Our highly specialized dermatologist will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease in which the body makes skin cells too quickly, causing skin cells to pile up and form visible red patches or spots on the skin, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp. Psoriasis is a common disease; in the United States, 7.5 million people live with psoriasis. Psoriasis runs in families, but isolated cases can occur. Psoriasis is NOT contagious, but unfortunately this is a common misconception. Also, psoriasis can increase your risk of developing certain diseases, such as psoriatic arthritis or diabetes. There are many different treatment options for psoriasis, ranging from topical medication to biologics. Our highly-trained dermatologist will offer the most effective treatment plan for you.
Melasma
Melasma is a common skin problem that causes brown to gray-brown patches, usually on the face. Most people get it on their cheeks, bridge of their nose, forehead, chin, and above their upper lip. It also can appear on other parts of the body that get lots of sun, such as the forearms and neck. Women are far more likely than men to get melasma. It is so common during pregnancy that melasma is sometimes called "the mask of pregnancy." Hormones seem to trigger melasma.
Common melasma triggers (what starts it) include:
- Sun exposure: Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun stimulates the melanocytes. In fact, just a small amount of sun exposure can make melasma return after fading. Sun exposure is why melasma often is worse in summer. It also is the main reason why many people with melasma get it again and again.
- A change in hormones: Pregnant women often get melasma. When melasma appears in pregnant women, it is called chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy. Birth control pills and hormone replacement medicine also can trigger melasma.
- Skin care products: If a product irritates your skin, melasma can worsen. Our highly specialized dermatologist will discuss with you treatment options, which often involve the use of sunscreen, lightening agents, and chemical peels.
- Others: actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, cold sores, scars/keloids, dandruff, onychomycosis, ringworm, shingles, skin tags, warts.
Actinic Keratosis
Actinic keratoses are pre-cancerous growths that appear on sun exposed skin such as the face and upper extremities. They often manifest as red scaly spots easily felt to the touch. If left untreated, these lesions could turn into squamous cell carcinomas. Our highly specialized dermatologist will do a full body skin exam and discuss with you treatment options for actinic keratosis.
Basal Cell Cancer
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. When found early, this skin cancer is highly treatable. An early BCC can often be removed in the office during an appointment with Our dermatologist. Given time to grow, this skin cancer can grow deep, injuring nerves, blood vessels, and anything else in its path. As the cancer cells pile up and form a large tumor, the cancer can reach into the bone beneath. This can change the way you look, and for some people the change may be disfiguring. Our dermatologist recommend routine skin exams to detect skin cancer as early as possible. The location, subtype, and size will determine what will be the best treatment.
Squamous Cell Cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. People usually develop this skin cancer because ultraviolet (UV) light has badly damaged their skin. Most UV light comes from the sun and indoor tanning equipment (tanning beds and sunlamps). This cancer is usually not life-threatening, but it can spread beyond the skin to lymph nodes or other organs. Once it spreads, a patient has advanced cancer. We recommend routine skin exams to detect skin cancer as early as possible. The location, subtype, and size will determine what will be the best treatment.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer. It is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells. If melanoma is caught early, surgical excision at Dallas Dermatology and Aesthetics under local anesthesia may be the only treatment needed. Melanomas may appear on the skin suddenly without warning but also can develop on an existing mole. Most people have moles. Atypical moles are unusual moles that are generally larger than normal moles and variable in color. They often have irregular borders and may occur in far greater numbers than regular moles. The presence of atypical moles is an important risk factor for melanoma developing in a mole or on normal skin. Our dermatologist recommend at least yearly skin cancer screenings for those at risk, in line with the American Academy of Dermatology specialty guidelines.
Keloids
A keloid is a type of raised scar that grows much larger than the wound that caused the scar. Certain patients have a tendency to form keloids, and anything that can cause a scar may lead to a keloid, including a cut, burn, or severe acne. The size and shape of keloids vary. On an earlobe, you’ll likely see a round, solid mass. When a keloid forms on a shoulder or the chest, the raised scar tends to spread out across the skin. Keloids can be painful or itchy. A keloid that covers a joint or large area can decrease a person’s ability to move that part of the body. Treatment can help reduce symptoms like pain and itch. If the scar makes moving difficult, treatment can help a person regain some movement. To give his patients the best results, Our dermatologist choose treatment based on the patient’s age, type of keloid, and other considerations.
Cold Sores
A cold sore is a small blister or group of blisters that usually develop on the lip or around the mouth caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). If you get cold sores, you’re not alone. More than half of Americans ages 14 to 49 carry the virus that causes cold sores. The virus stays in the body after the cold sores clear. If the virus reactivates, or wakes up, you may get cold sores again. Cold sores are generally not serious. In healthy people, cold sores tend to clear within two weeks. Treatment for cold sores can be very effective and can help prevent future breakouts.
Dandruff (Seborrheic Dermatitis)
Dandruff is a common scalp condition in which small pieces of dry skin flake off of the scalp. If you have dark hair or you’re wearing dark colors, you may notice the flakes in your hair or on your shoulders. Dandruff may also make your scalp itch. Many people believe that dandruff is caused by poor hygiene, but this is not true. The most effective way to treat and control dandruff is to use dandruff shampoo and scalp treatments.
Nail Fungus (Onychomycosis)
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail. It can affect the feet or hands. Nail fungus infection often results in yellow discoloration with thickening of the nail. If you have a fungal infection on your foot, known as athlete's foot, the fungus can spread to one or more of your nails. This is quite common. You can also catch a fungal nail infection in a warm, moist place such as a pool deck or locker room. Having wet nails for a long time can also lead to nail fungus. Fingernails that are wet for hours at a time due to a job or hobby are also susceptible. It’s important to see Our dermatologist at the first sign of a nail problem, who can tell you whether you have a nail infection or something else. Early diagnosis and treatment are recommended for everyone who has nail fungus. Caught early and treated, a fungal nail infection is likely to clear and you’ll regrow a healthy nail. Treatment can also prevent the fungus from spreading to other parts of your body and to other people.
Ringworm (Tinea)
If you have ringworm, you may think you have worms in your skin or a disease caused by worms. You have neither. Ringworm is actually a skin infection caused by fungus. No worms involved. Ringworm can appear on just about any part of your body. On the palms, soles, scalp, groin, and nails, the rash lacks the ring-shaped pattern. No matter where ringworm appears on the body, treatment is important. Without treatment, the rash tends to grow slowly and cover a larger area. You can also infect other areas of your body. Treatment can get rid of the ringworm and stop the itch, which can be intense. Because ringworm is contagious, treatment can also prevent you from spreading it to others.
Shingles
Shingles is a painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. There are many effective treatments for shingles. If you have a blistering rash, you want to see Our dermatologist as soon as possible. Should you have shingles, starting prescription medication within 2 to 3 days of developing the rash can dramatically reduce pain, lessen the amount of time you have shingles, and lower your risk of developing other health problems, such as a condition called postherpetic neuralgia, which is pain that can linger for months or years after the rash clears. If you’ve had the rash for longer than 2 or 3 days, it’s still important to see Our dermatologist as well. Shingles can lead to other health problems aside from long-lasting pain. For example, when the shingles rash develops on your face, it can affect your eyesight. Treatment can save your eyesight.
Warts
Warts are contagious growths that are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Warts are often skin-colored and feel rough, but they can be dark (brown or gray-black), flat, and smooth. It is easier to catch a virus that causes warts when you have a cut or scrape on your skin. This explains why so many children get warts. Warts also are more common on parts of the body that people shave such as the beard area in men and the legs in women. You can spread warts from one place on your body to another. Warts can spread from person to person. You can get warts from touching a wart on someone’s body. Some people get a wart after touching something that another person’s wart touched, such as a towel. It often takes a few months for warts to grow large enough to see. Warts often go away without treatment. This is especially true when children get warts. In adults, warts may not disappear as easily or as quickly as they do in children. Our dermatologist can offer many treatments for warts, depending on the patient’s age and health as well as the type of wart.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is a frustrating, common disorder in both men and women and can be caused by various medical conditions, environmental influences, and genetics. When the underlying reason is correctly diagnosed and managed by expert dermatologist, hair loss can be successfully treated and addressed to prevent further hair loss. The key to getting results is knowing the true cause of the hair loss and seeking expert care with the latest advancements in evidence-based treatment. Our dermatologist ha worked with one of the leading hair experts in the world and utilize research backed treatments to fight hair loss in both men and women.
