Melanoma Melanoma is tumor of the skin that is cancerous (malignant). It grows from the melanocytes, the cells that color and tan the skin. Melanoma is also called cutaneous melanoma or malignant melanoma. The incidence of melanoma is increasing worldwide at a rate of about 5% per year. It is a more serious problem than the… Read More
Intertrigo Itching around the anus can be very uncomfortable, often interfering with daily activities, and making it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. The basic aim of treatment is to keep the anal area clean, dry, and to avoid injury to the skin from excessive wiping or abrasion. Items in the diet that produce gas,… Read More
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
Acne Acne is a common skin condition that afflicts most people, to a varying degree, during the teen years. However, the disease is by no means restricted to this age group; adults in their 20’s or 30’s may have acne. Don’t think that because acne is common, treatment is unnecessary. Waiting to “outgrow” acne can be… Read More
Allergic Contact Dermatitis Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by your body’s reaction to something that directly contacts the skin. Many different substances can cause allergic contact dermatitis, which are called ‘allergens’. Usually these substances cause no trouble for most people, and may not even be noticed the first time the person is exposed. But once the skin becomes… 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
Watching Out for Hives with Dr. Larry Jaeger Hives are a skin condition that will often worry a parent when they appear on their child. They are quite common and are not contagious. Certainly, if you are concerned about the hives, or you worry that your child has another condition altogether, seek attention from your pediatrician or from a dermatologist like Dr. Larry… Read More