Grover’s Disease Grover’s disease (transient acantholytic dermatosis) is a condition that appears suddenly as itchy red spots on the trunk, most often in older men. Minor cases of Grover’s disease may be rather common. Sometimes the features of Grover’s are found in people who do not itch or have a conspicuous rash. Most of the people with… Read More
Hailey-Hailey Disease Hailey-Hailey disease, also known as familial benign chronic pemphigus, was first discovered by the Hailey brothers in 1939. Hailey-Hailey disease is a genetic disorder inherited among family members with a 50% chance of inheritance from an affected parent. It is most common in the late teenage years, twenties and thirties. The lesions are most commonly… Read More
Grenz Rays Grenz rays have been used by dermatologists since the 1920’s. At one time, it was an important treatment tool, but with all the recent medical advances it is rarely used today. It is used to calm down inflammation of the skin and will not cause damage as seen with prolonged use of cortisone creams. It… Read More
Geographic Tongue The surface of the tongue is normally covered by small bumps called papillae. Geographic tongue occurs when parts of the tongue are missing the papillae for unknown reasons. Geographic tongue is a common, benign condition that affects 1-3% of the general population and is seen in both males and females. Although this condition is most… Read More
Alopecia Mucinosa Follicular mucinosis is a term that encompasses three related entities. Alopecia mucinosa, Urticaria-like follicular mucinosis, and cutaneous lymphoma related follicular mucinosis all share similar features when skin biopsies are examined under the microscope. Because these entities are uncommon, many authors discuss and categorize these entities in different ways. Alopecia mucinosa, also known as Pinkus’ follicular… Read More
Actinic Keratosis An actinic keratosis is a scaly or crusty bump that forms on the skin surface. They are also called solar keratosis, sun spots, or precancerous spots. Dermatologists call them “AK’s” for short. They range in size from as small as a pinhead to over an inch across. They may be light or dark, tan, pink,… Read More
Biopsy Many medical conditions, not only cases of cancer, may be diagnosed by removing a sample of tissue for lab examination. This procedure is called a biopsy, which is preformed by a variety of techniques. After the doctor obtains the skin biopsy specimen, it is sent for examination to another doctor, the dermatopathologist or pathologist, who… Read More
Bullous Pemphigoid Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a chronic blistering of the skin. It ranges from mildly itchy welts to severe blisters and infection, and may affect a small area of the body or be widespread. The vast majority of those affected are elderly, but it has been seen at all ages. It is an autoimmune disorder, meaning… Read More
Bowenoid papulosis Bowenoid papulosis is considered by some authors to be a form of high-risk genital warts, but more recently is now thought to be an early form of cancer caused by a variety of high-risk human papilloma viruses (HPV), usually HPV 16 and 18. The lesions are described as flat, sometimes dark, bumps often found in… Read More
Boils People refer to tender, red lumps that may ooze pus as boils. A single “boil” may be a ruptured cyst or a small abscess. Most boils can be treated by “incision and drainage”, a minor surgical procedure to open the boil and to drain the pus. Oral antibiotics are usually not needed. Some people have… Read More