Pediatric Dermatology at Dallas Dermatology and Aesthetics
Our dermatologist has worked extensively at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the top children’s hospital in the country and with world leaders in pediatric dermatology. He is an expert in the full range of pediatric dermatologic care for newborns, children, and adolescents.
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. Children often get atopic dermatitis during their first year of life, presenting with dry and scaly patches on the skin - most commonly on the scalp, forehead, and face. These patches are very common on the cheeks. No matter where it appears, AD is often very itchy. Infants may rub their skin against bedding or carpeting to relieve the itch. In children of all ages, the itch can be so intense that a child cannot sleep. Scratching can lead to a skin infection. Because atopic dermatitis can be long lasting, it is important to learn how to take care of the skin. Treatment and good skin care can alleviate much of the discomfort. 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 the specific needs of your child.
Birthmarks
If your baby has a birthmark, you’ll likely see a spot, patch, or lump that looks different from the rest of your baby’s skin. You may see this when your baby is born, but some appear shortly after birth. Birthmarks come in many shapes and colors. You may see a flat or raised mark. It may be the size of a pinhead or cover a large area of your child’s skin. A birthmark can be pink, red, tan, brown, or any other color. Some look like a bruise. Others look like a stain on the skin. It’s estimated that between 3% and 10% of babies are born with a type of birthmark called a hemangioma. Other birthmarks, such a port-wine stain, are less common. There are many different types of birthmarks, such as deep and superficial hemangiomas, salmon patches, café-au-lait spots, congenital melanocytic nevus, dermal melanocytosis, port-wine stains, nevus sebaceous, hypopigmented macules, among others. Our highly specialized dermatologist will diagnose and offer a personalized treatment plan for your child.
Moles and Spots
Moles are a benign, common skin growths that appear as small, dark brown spots and appear during childhood and adolescence. Moles will grow as the child (or teen) grows. Some moles will darken, and others will lighten. These changes are expected and seldom a sign of melanoma, the most-serious 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.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection that most commonly occurs in young kids, but patients of all ages can develop this condition. Ringworm can appear on just about any part of your body: trunk, extremities, palms, soles, scalp, groin, and nails. No matter where ringworm appears on the body, treatment is important. Without treatment, the rash tends to grow slowly and cover a larger area. It 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 your kids from spreading it to others.
Warts
Warts are benign (not cancerous) skin growths that appear when a virus infects the top layer of the skin. Viruses that cause warts are called human papillomavirus (HPV). Wart viruses are contagious and can spread by contact with the wart or something that touched the wart. Warts are often skin-colored and feel rough, but they can be dark (brown or gray-black), flat, and smooth. Our highly specialized dermatologist will assess and offer a personalized treatment for your children.
Molluscum Contagiosum
Caused by a virus, molluscum contagiosum causes small bumps on the skin that tend to clear with time. While molluscum contagiosum may sound like a dreaded spell from a Harry Potter story, it’s actually a skin condition that’s relatively harmless. You can get molluscum at any age, but it’s most common in children who are 1 to 10 years old. Children who have atopic dermatitis (often called eczema) tend to get it more easily. As the name implies, molluscum is very contagious mainly by: having skin-to-skin contact with someone who has molluscum bumps on their skin; touching something that someone who has molluscum bumps used, such as an unwashed towel, wrestling mat, or kickboard; and sharing unwashed clothes or sports equipment with someone who has molluscum. Often, the only sign of this skin infection is small bumps on the skin that tend to be painless, but they can itch. If you or your child could have molluscum contagiosum, seeing our dermatologist is crucial: first, you’ll find out whether it’s molluscum or something else as to the untrained eye, many skin conditions can look like molluscum; second, our dermatologist can tell you whether treatment is recommended.
Diaper Rash
About one-half of all babies develop diaper rash at some time during the first year or two of life. It is most common between 9 and 12 months of age.
Diaper rash is usually caused by wetness and friction. Urine and stool (pee and poop) can cause even more irritation, and this leads to breakdown of the skin. Products used to clean the skin can sometimes add to the irritation. Once the skin under the diaper becomes irritated, germs like bacteria and yeast can infect the skin and worsen the rash. In some cases, other skin conditions, like psoriasis, can be worsened or triggered by diaper rash. Our expert dermatologist have tips and treatment recommendations specific to your child’s needs.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a disease that develops when the body attacks its own hair follicles (where hair grows from), which can cause hair loss anywhere on the body. Many people who develop alopecia areata are otherwise healthy. They have hair loss and sometimes nail changes, but they remain in good health. It can begin at any age; however, most people develop it during childhood or their teenage years. About half of them see their hair regrow within 12 months without treatment. When the hair regrows, it may never fall out again. It’s also possible to have unpredictable cycles of hair loss and regrowth for years. If a parent or close blood relative has (or had) alopecia areata, a child has a greater risk of developing this disease. While the risk is greater, not every child with this increased risk will get alopecia areata. Our highly trained dermatologist will customize the most effective treatment for your child.
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. Children get psoriasis. This disease can begin when the child is a newborn, teenager, or any age in between. Having a visible skin disease can be very stressful. Psoriasis on the scalp can be especially troubling for a child or teenager, especially if it causes hair loss. A child can feel embarrassed and start to withdraw from others. Constant itch and pain can make it difficult to concentrate during school and to sleep at night. Before treating a child, our dermatologist also look at the short- and long-term effects of treating psoriasis. When treating a child, it’s important to anticipate what treatment may be required in the future. If treatment is needed now, our dermatologist will develop a treatment plan that minimizes side effects and maximizes the beneficial effects of treatment.
