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Acne Treatment
Acne is the term for the blocked pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that can appear typically on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. Seventeen million Americans currently have acne, making it the most common skin disease in the country. While it affects mostly teenagers, and almost all teenagers have some form of acne, adults of any age can have it. Acne is not life-threatening, but it can cause physical disfigurement (scarring) and emotional distress.
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Rosacea Treatment
Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that causes redness and swelling on the face. The scalp, neck, ears, chest, back and/or eyes may also be affected. Symptoms range from red pimples, lines and visible blood vessels to dry or burning skin and a tendency to flush easily. Many people find that the emotional effects of rosacea – such as low self-confidence and avoidance of social situations – are more difficult to handle than the physical ones. Although it can affect anyone, rosacea typically appears in light-skinned, light-haired adults aged 30-50. It is not yet known what causes rosacea and the disease is not curable, although it can be treated with topical and oral medications, laser therapy or laser surgery.
Eczema Treatment
Eczema is a group of inflammatory skin conditions that result in chronic itchy rashes. About 15 million people in the U.S. suffer from some form of eczema, including 10-20 percent of all infants. Symptoms vary from person to person but often include dry, red, itchy patches on the skin which break out in rashes when scratched.
Objects and conditions that trigger itchy eczema outbreaks may include rough or coarse materials touching the skin, excessive heat or sweating, soaps, detergents, disinfectants, dust mites, animal saliva and danders, upper respiratory infections and stress.
Treatment involves the restriction of scratching, use of moisturizing lotions or creams, cold compresses and nonprescription anti-inflammatory corticosteroid creams and ointments. If this proves insufficient, physicians may prescribe topical or intramuscular corticosteroid medication, antibiotics to combat infection or antihistamines.
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Psoriasis is a skin disorder which causes thick scaling plaques of the skin. Over seven million men and women in the U.S. of all ages have some form of psoriasis, which may be mild, moderate or severe. The most commonly affected areas are the scalp, elbows, knees, hands, feet, buttocks and genitals.
Psoriasis cannot be cured but it can be controlled, sometimes for months or years at a time. Treatment depends on the type, severity and locations of psoriasis; the patient’s age, medical history and life and the effect the disease has on the patient’s general mental health. The most common treatments are topical medications, such as corticosteroids and oral or injectable medication such as enbrel or humira.
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Warts
Warts are skin growths caused by the human papilloma virus. Different warts respond to different treatments. Some go away on their own. Salicylic acid products (in the form of drops, gels, pads and bandages) can help self-treatment of many warts by dissolving the keratin protein that makes up the wart and the dead skin above it. Others can be removed via liquid nitrogen freezing or electrical stimulation. Surgery may be recommended for painful or large warts that do not respond to these treatments. Dr. Buck has a unique relatively painless way to eradicate warts- there is no scarring and no recurrence.
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Skin Infections
Bacterial infections of the skin occur when a break in the skin allows bacteria that normally live on the surface to enter the body. There may be pustule, inflammation, redness, pain, warmth, fever/chills, fatigue and muscle aches. The lesions may occur after some surgeries, with the use of certain drugs, or from skin wounds due to injury, diabetic or ischemic ulcers, or if the patient has peripheral vascular disease. Left untreated, bacterial infections can lead to tissue death (gangrene), sepsis, generalized infection, shock, meningitis (if cellulitis is on the face) and lymphangitis (inflammation of the lymph vessels). Treatment may require hospitalization, oral antibiotics or analgesics to control pain. A common form of a community acquired methicillin-resistant staph infection has emerged. It is called MRSA. It usually presents as a non-healing ulcer. Patients are urged to seek medical care as soon as possible.
Fungal infections of the skin are caused by microscopic organisms that live on the hair, nails (onychomycosis), mouth (angular cheilitis/oral thrush) and outer skin layers. They are quite common. Also, cutaneous candidiasis which occurs in warm moist crevices of the body usually presents as red itchy patches under the breast or abdominal folds. Fungal infections commonly occur in people with diabetes, who are obese, or who take antibiotics or oral contraceptives. They are treatable (sometimes with difficulty) but often recur. Treatments include topical and oral antifungal medications.
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Skin Cancer
Skin cancer refers to the abnormal, uncontrolled growth of skin cells. One in five people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Risk factors include pale skin, family history of melanoma, being over 40 years old, and regular sun exposure. Fortunately, skin cancer is almost always curable if detected and treated early.
The most common skin cancers are:
- Basal cell carcinoma - 80-85% of all skin cancers. Basal cell carcinoma affects cells in the lowest layer of the epidermis.
- Squamous cell carcinoma - 10% of all skin cancers. Squamous cell carcinoma affects cells in the middle layer of the epidermis.
- Melanoma - 5% of all skin cancers. Melanoma is a rare but very dangerous type of skin cancer. It is the leading cause of death from skin disease. It has now been found that UV tanning beds greatly contribute to an increased lifetime risk by as much as 75%.
Skin cancers vary in shape, color, size and texture, so any new, changed or otherwise suspicious growths or rashes should be examined immediately by a physician. Early intervention is essential to preventing the cancer from spreading. Dr. Buck recommends that any sore or new lesion or growth which doesn’t disappear in 2 weeks should be checked by a board-certified dermatologist.
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Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis involves an inflammation of the skin caused by contact with a foreign substance. Common triggers of contact dermatitis include plants such as poison ivy, cleaning products, detergents, cosmetic and latex rubber. When a patient comes in contact with one of these triggers, he or she may experience a red rash, blistering, itchiness, dryness and more. Symptoms caused by contact dermatitis may occur as a result of a hypersensitivity reaction to an external allergen.
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Hand Dermatitis/ Dyshidrotic Eczema
This refers to several different types of skin conditions that affect the hands. These conditions often cause dryness, chapping, redness, itchiness, blisters, scaling and more on the skin of the hands. A unique form of eczema called dyshidrotic eczema presents as tiny blisters on the sides of the fingers and /or toes, palms and soles. It is very itchy and can result in superficial cracks or splits in the skin (fissures).
There are several topical treatments available for these conditions, including corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory creams. Often, intramuscular injections of a safe steroid called kenalog may be very helpful.
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Hair and Nail Disorders
There are several different disorders affecting the hair and nails that may occur as a result of genetics, fungal, and bacterial infections or lifestyle habits. Nail disorders most often affect the toenail and involve fungus or debris entering into the nail area. Common hair disorders include alopecia (hair loss) baldness, hirsutism (excessive female hair growth) and hair shaft disorders, which are often caused by hair styling techniques.
Treatment for hair and nail disorders depends on the type of disorder and its underlying cause. Many nail disorders can be effectively treated through oral or topical medications to get rid of the infection, while hair disorders can also be treated with medication to stimulate or prevent hair growth. Proper hygiene is also important in treating and preventing both types of disorders.
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