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
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
Angiomas There are many different types of angiomas. An angioma is a benign growth that consists of small blood vessels. These tumors can be located anywhere on the body. Some of the different types include spider angiomas, cherry angiomas, and angiokeratomas. The cause of most types of angiomas is not known. Cherry angiomas and are due… 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