Medical Dermatology
In addition to treating severe medical conditions such as psoriasis, Windsor Dermatology physicians also provide medical dermatology treatment for more common skin disorders.
Acne
Annual Skin Cancer Check-Up
Eczema
Hair Loss
Hives
Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
Moles
Molluscum
Rosacea
Skin Allergy/Contact Dermatitis
Skin Cancer
Skin Tags
Sun Damaged Skin
Warts
Acne
Acne is the most common skincare problem seen by doctors. For more severe, stubborn and/or widespread acne, however, it is recommended that you see a dermatologist, so he or she can prescribe medication appropriate to the condition. You should see a dermatologist when treating acne using non-prescription products isn’t improving skin condition.
- Topical antibiotics can be recommended to help control the inflammation associated with the redness and swelling of acne.
- Oral antibiotics are usually indicated for moderate to severe acne of the chest, back, and shoulders. They work by reducing the presence of P acnes bacteria.
- Hormonal agents such as oral contraceptives are recommended for moderate to severe acne after other treatments have failed and are often used for acne that begins or worsens in adulthood.
- Topical Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) may exfoliate the skin and open pores.
- Accutane is the brand name for the drug isotretoin. Windsor Dermatology physicians have had superior results with Accutane, which works by shrinking oil glands in the skin and decreasing oil production. After 5-6 months, most patients are clear and remain clear permanently.
Annual Skin Cancer Check-Up
Having an annual Healthy Skin Check-Up at Windsor Dermatology is an important and simple preventative solution to ensure the health of your skin and early detection of any skin cancers which may develop. Your Healthy Skin Check-Up is a visual inspection of your skin by a Windsor Dermatology physician, examining all body areas including those covered by hair for any changes in the size, color, shape or texture of a mole, the development of a new mole or any other unusual skin conditions.
Eczema
Eczema, also referred to as dermatitis, is a common inflammation of the skin, but it is not contagious. Inflamed or eczematous skin is red, itchy and swollen, sometimes with fluid-filled bumps that ooze and crust. Common causes of eczema include an allergic reaction to something touching the skin such as contact with chemicals, strong soaps or substances that dry or irritate the skin. Some types are hereditary. Although eczema cannot be cured, a Windsor Dermatology physician can provide a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan to manage your eczema and control flare-ups.
Hair Loss
Female Alopecia (or female pattern hair loss) differs from male pattern baldness. In women, the hair becomes thinner all over the head, and the hairline does not recede. Approximately 10 percent of pre-menopausal women show evidence of female alopecia. Age increases the incidence and 50 to 75 percent of women 65 years or older suffer from this condition.
Judit Stenn, M.D., a Board Certified medical dermatologist serving on the Windsor Dermatology staff, specializes in female alopecia and receives many referrals from dermatologists throughout the tri state area for women who have been losing hair. Dr. Stenn is very thorough in her examinations and treatment and her results exceed expectations.
Hair loss in women is largely attributed to hormonal imbalance, as it is in men. Specifically, female alopecia is caused by testosterone which is carried by the blood to the hair follicles of the scalp. There it is converted to a more active form which inactivates the follicle. After many years, the follicles disappear. For this reason, the sooner treatment can be started the better, but even when alopecia has been present for years there can still be some response to treatment.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. The immune system, which is designed to protect the body from foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, the tiny cup-shaped structures from which hairs grow. This can lead to hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere.
Alopecia areata usually starts with one or more small, round, smooth patches on the scalp and can progress to total scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis) or complete body hair loss (alopecia universalis).
Alopecia areata affects more than 4.7 million people in the United States alone. This common skin disease is highly unpredictable and cyclical. Hair can grow back in or fall out again at any time, and the disease course is different for each person.
In all forms of alopecia areata, the hair follicles remain alive and are ready to resume normal hair production whenever they receive the appropriate signal. There are treatment options available for mild, patchy alopecia areata (less than 50% scalp hair loss) though there is currently no acceptable treatment that works in all cases.
There has been some success treating alopecia areata with steroid injections, or topical ointments. Steroid injections are commonly used in sites where there are small areas of hair loss on the head or especially where eyebrow hair has been lost.
Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men. It usually follows a typical pattern of receding hairline and hair thinning on the crown, and is caused by hormones and genetic predisposition. If baldness is accompanied by itching, skin irritation, redness, scaling, pain, or other symptoms, a dermatologist should be consulted. The autoimmune disease lupus may also cause hair loss.
Windsor Dermatology physicians are experts in diagnosing the cause of hair loss.
Hives
Hives are itchy rashes that appear to move around the body from site to site, creating intense itching. Hives can be caused by a variety of medical conditions including allergies, blood disorders, hormonal imbalance, infections and even cancer. Windsor Dermatology physicians can prescribe medications to alleviate the symptoms of hives and perform tests to identify the underlying cause. Many skin rashes, such as hives, are caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, fungus or infestations. Dermatologists are experts at diagnosing and treating such infections.
Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
Hyperhidrosis is a disorder that defines individuals who sweat more than the body would normally need to maintain optimal temperature. Hyperhidrosis affects work productivity, confidence, social comfort, emotional well being and wardrobe choices. Studies show that hyperhidrosis impacts quality of life similar other well-known dermatological conditions, such as severe acne or psoriasis.
There are several ways to treat hyperhidrosis including BOTOX® injections, topical treatments and surgery. Many of these treatments are covered by medical plans. A consultation with one of our Windsor Dermatology physicians will help you to identify the best treatment for you.
Moles
Moles are common skin growths that may be flat or raised and may be skin-colored or dark. Most moles are harmless. Some moles can become itchy, irritated, or are simply unwanted. These can be removed under safe, sterile conditions easily in our office.
In some cases, moles can transform into a dangerous form of skin cancer called melanoma. A complete examination of moles by a dermatologist can identify moles whose appearance is suspicious for melanoma. Signs of melanoma can be remembered by the ABCD rule: asymmetry, border irregularity, color variegation, and diameter >6mm. If a mole appears suspicious for melanoma, it can be removed sent to a laboratory for biopsy.
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a virus and usually causes a mild skin disease. The virus affects only the outer (epithelial) layer of skin and does not circulate throughout the body in healthy people.
The virus causes small white, pink, or flesh-colored raised bumps or growths with a dimple or pit in the center. The bumps are usually smooth and firm. In most people, the growths range from about the size of a pinhead to as large as a pencil eraser. The bumps may appear anywhere on the body, alone or in groups and may be itchy, red, swollen and/or sore.
The virus that causes molluscum is spread from person to person by touching the affected skin. The virus may also be spread by touching a surface with the virus on it, such as a towel, clothing, or toys. Treatments performed in our office include application of medicated drops and freezing with liquid nitrogen.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic condition characterized by facial redness sometimes accompanied by the presence of pimples. Rosacea typically begins as redness on the central face across the cheeks, nose, or forehead, but can also less commonly affect the neck, chest, ears, and scalp.
It primarily affects Caucasians of mainly northwestern European descent and has been nicknamed the 'curse of the Celts' by some in Britain and Ireland, but can also affect people of other ethnicities. Rosacea affects both sexes, but is almost three times more common in women. It has a peak age of onset between 30 and 60.
Rosacea has a variety of sub-types and treating it varies from patient to patient depending on severity and subtypes. There are a number of treatment options including topical medications, oral antibiotics, and vascular laser therapy.
Skin Allergy/Contact Dermatitis
Allergic skin reactions to exposure to environmental substances cause inflammation known as contact dermatitis which can result in weeks of blisters and itching. These rashes may be temporarily alleviated with medication, but permanent relief requires avoidance of the underlying allergen. Finding the culprit can often be achieved through taking a careful history of recent chemical exposures, including detergents, fabric softeners, dyes and soaps/cosmetics. Non-invasive patch testing of the skin is also an option for identifying the trigger allergen. Treatment with anti-allergy topical and oral medications helps alleviate and limit suffering.
Skin Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, over one million people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.
Malignant melanoma accounts for only three percent of skin cancer cases, but it causes more than 75% of skin cancer deaths. Melanoma is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells which cause an existing mole to darken and enlarge. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, non-melanoma cancers that begins in the cell layers beneath the outer skin, account for about 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers.
The incidence of all skin cancers is on the rise largely because people do not sufficiently protect themselves from excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, the most significant and preventable risk factor in developing skin cancer.
Mohs surgery, or micrographic surgery, is a specialized technique for the removal of skin cancer, providing cure rates of 99%. Mohs surgery (pronounced “moze”) is unique in its precision. It is especially effective in treating cosmetically sensitive areas because it can eliminate cancer cells while causing minimal damage to the surrounding skin.
Matthew Halpern, M.D. of Windsor Dermatology specializes in Mohs surgery and the treatment of skin cancer. Dr. Halpern is Board Certified in dermatology and is a Fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery.
Skin Tags
A skin tag is a soft, skin-colored growth that hangs from the surface of the skin on a thin piece of tissue called a stalk. Skin tags are not skin cancer and will not turn into skin cancer.
Skin tags appear most often in skin folds of the neck, armpits, torso, beneath the breasts or in the genital region. They can become irritated if they are in an area where clothing or jewelry rubs against them, and they may be unsightly. A dermatologist can remove skin tags under safe, sterile conditions with minimal discomfort.
Sun Damaged Skin
Although most people love the warmth and light of the sun, too much sun exposure can significantly damage human skin. The sun's heat dries out areas of unprotected skin and to deplete the skin's supply of natural lubricating oils. In addition, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause burning and long-term changes in the skin's structure.
The most common types of sun damage to the skin are:
- Dry skin: Sun-exposed skin can gradually lose moisture and essential oils, making it appear dry, flaky and prematurely wrinkled, even in younger people.
- Sunburn: Sunburn is the common name for the skin injury that sppears immediately after the skin is exposed to UV radiation. Mild sunburn causes only painful reddening of the skin, but more severe cases can produce tiny fluid-filled bumps (vesicles) or larger blisters.
- Actinic keratosis: This is a tiny bump that feels like sandpaper or a small, scaly patch of sun-damaged skin that has a pink, red, yellow or brownish tint. Unlike suntan markings or sunburns, an actinic keratosis does not usually go away unless it is frozen, chemically treated, or removed by a doctor. An actinic keratosis develops in areas of skin that have undergone repeated or long-term exposure to the sun's UV light, and it is a warning sign of increased risk of skin cancer.
- Long-term changes in the skin's collagen (a structural protein): These changes include premature aging of the skin because of sun exposure. The skin develops wrinkles and fine lines because of changes in the collagen of a deep layer of the skin called the dermis. Changes may also cause bleeding from fragile blood vessels beneath the skin surface. UV radiation from the sun damages the structural collagen that supports the walls of the skin's tiny blood vessels. Particularly in older people, this collagen damage makes blood vessels more fragile and more likely to rupture following a slight impact.
In most cases, your dermatologist can confirm that you have sun-damaged skin simply by examining the area. Often a biopsy is done to rule out skin cancer in a patch of actinic keratosis. In a biopsy, a small piece of skin is removed and examined in a laboratory.
Warts
Warts are benign growths on the skin or mucous membranes that cause cosmetic problems as well as pain and discomfort. They are seen on people of all ages but most commonly appear in children and teenagers. The incubation period of a wart is 2 to 9 months following infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV), during which time an excessive proliferation of skin growth slowly develops.
More than 80 different types of HPV have been identified, and they have affinity for different types of body tissue. Most types of HPV have an affinity for the skin and produce common warts and plantar or foot warts. Several other types of HPV have an affinity for mucous membranes and some of these cause ano-genital warts.
There are a number of treatments and procedures for wart removal prescribed by a dermatologist depending on the type and location of the viral infection including topical treatments, cryotherapy (freezing the wart), surgical removal and laser therapy.
