Warts

Warts are skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).  Warts are not cancerous, but are contagious growth caused when HPV infects the top layer of skin.  Over 60 types of HPV may infect humans. Warts are very contagious and can easily be spread just by touching a wart or touching something the wart has been in contact with.

Acne

When hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, it can cause whiteheads, blackheads and pimples to develop. Though this is most common in teenagers, adults can suffer from acne too.  Acne can appear on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. While it is treatable, acne can be stubborn. One pimple can begin to clear only to have another surface somewhere else. Acne can cause emotional distress and if not treated or treated improperly, can permanently scar the skin.  Early treatment is the best option to reduce symptoms and avoid long lasting consequences of severe acne.

Hives (urticaria)

Hives, also known as urticaria, are red, itchy, raised welts on the skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. Hives usually start as an itchy patch of skin that turns into swollen red welts. The itching can range from mild to severe.   Scratching, alcoholic beverages, exercise, and emotional stress may worsen the itching. Hives may affect up to 20% of people at some time during their lives and can be triggered by many substances or situations such as:

• Foods (especially peanuts, eggs, nuts and shellfish)
• Medications, such as antibiotics (especially penicillin and sulfa), aspirin and ibuprofen
• Insect stings or bites
• Physical stimuli, such as pressure, cold, heat, exercise or sun exposure
• Latex
• Blood transfusions
• Bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections and strep throat
• Viral infections, including the common cold, infectious mononucleosis and hepatitis
• Pet dander
• Pollen
• Plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac

Avoiding known triggers is crucial, and we can help you determine what those possible triggers are. We can also prescribe you medications to relieve the itching as the rash resolves.

Insect Bites

While most bug bites and stings are harmless, some can be dangerous, especially if the bug is venomous or if the bug is carrying a disease. In the United States, the most common offenders include:

• Mosquitoes
• Fleas
• Bedbugs
• Biting flies
• Mites
• Bees, wasps and hornets
• Spiders
• Ticks
• Fire ants

If you experience any of the following, make sure to visit an emergency room immediately:

• Difficulty breathing
• The sensation that your throat is closing
• Swollen lips, tongue, or face
• Chest pain
• Racing heartbeat that lasts more than a few minutes
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• A headache
• A red, donut-shaped rash that develops after a tick bite (could be a sign of Lyme disease, which should be treated with antibiotics)
• A fever with a red or black, spotty rash that spreads (could be a sign of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a bacterial infection carried by ticks, which should be treated immediately)

Itching

Itchy skin, also known as pruritus, is an irritating and uncontrollable sensation that makes you want to scratch to relieve the feeling. Itchy skin is usually caused by dryness and is common in older adults as their skin tends to lose oil with age. The skin may appear normal or can appear red, rough, or have bumps or blisters. It is important not to scratch excessively as the skin may bleed or become infected.

Make sure to visit us if your itching:

• Lasts more than two weeks and doesn’t improve with self-care measures
• Is severe and distracts you from your daily routines or prevents you from sleeping
• Comes on suddenly and can’t be easily explained
• Affects your whole body
• Is accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as extreme tiredness, weight loss, changes in bowel habits or urinary frequency, fever, or redness of the skin

Nail Fungus

Infection can cause nail fungus when it enters through cracks or or cuts in your skin. It often makes the nail painful to touch, change color, and look thicker. Toes are the perfect ecosystem for fungus, since they are often warm and damp. If the condition goes untreated the fungus will spread to other toes, skin and even fingernails. Nails that have become infected often start showing white spots that will grow gradually; if left unattended the fungus will continue to grow and can even separate the nail from the nail bed. Nails that are infected are more brittle and yellow. A doctor should see your toenail condition, since infected toenails can look very similar to toenail psoriasis and a professional needs to make the appropriate diagnosis. You must visit a doctor that specializes in this condition and most likely a nail sample will be sent to a lab to figure out the cause.

Infected nails may be treated by any combination of therapies such as:

• A topical cream that goes directly on the nail
• A topical nail lacquer
• An antifungal prescription pill
• Removing the damaged area of the nail or skin
• Complete removal of the nail

Poison Ivy

When your skin comes in contact with poison ivy or anything that this plant may have touched; oil from the plant, urushiol, will cause an allergic reaction or rash. Classic symptoms of contact with poison ivy include:

• swelling
• redness
• itching
• painful blisters

The rash may not appear right after contact–it may even take a few days to surface and may give the illusion of spreading since it can flare in multiple areas. To relieve itching and help with sleep, an over the counter antihistamine may be helpful.  Oral medications can often provide near instant relief until the rash resolves.

Skin Infections

Your skin is home to numerous bacteria which actually protect your skin from pathogens. However, bad bacteria can also come in contact with your skin and cause infections. Some common types of skin infections are:

• Bacterial: Cellulitis and impetigo. Staphylococcal infections can also affect the skin.
• Viral: Shingles, warts, and  herpes simplex
• Fungal: Athlete’s foot and yeast infections
• Parasitic:  Body lice, head lice, and scabies

• Treatment of skin infections depends on the cause.  A visit will help determine what is the best treatment option.

RingWorm

Unlike its name suggests, ringworm isn’t caused by a worm.  The medical name for ringworm is tinea. Some types of ringworm infection include tineacorporis, tinea capitis, tinea pedis (“athlete’s foot“), and tinea cruris (“jock itch“). Ringworm is highly contagious and causes scaly, red, crusty rashes that appear as round, red patches on the skin. In extreme cases some symptoms can include patchy hair loss, scaling, itching and blister-like lesions. To treat ringworm, a medical professional should prescribe antifungal medication to be taken orally or used topically.

Skin Rashes

Infections, heat, allergies, medications and immune system disorders can cause rashes to appear on the skin. One of the most common skin disorders that results in rashes is contact dermatitis which also can be called Eczema. This skin condition tends to flare in the skin, hands, feet, ankles, upper body and limbs. It tends to be temporary with occasional flares. Atopic dermatitis is an ongoing condition that can make the skin persistently red and itchy, or flare up periodically. The best way to keep skin rashes to a minimum is to avoid products that are known to trigger rashes and treat with medicated creams and lotions.