General Dermatology

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections are common skin conditions that may cause redness, itching, burning and scaling. They can also cause blisters or peeling. Fungus can grow anywhere on the body, but tends to develop in warm, moist areas such as the feet, groin and armpit area. Common types of fungal infections include athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm and yeast infections.

Fungal infections can usually be successfully treated with antifungal oral or topical medications. They are not usually serious, but may be contagious, so treatment is important. Keeping the body clean and changing socks and underwear everyday can help prevent fungal infections.

Rashes

A rash is a change in the skin's color or texture. Simple rashes are called dermatitis, which means the skin is inflamed or swollen. Contact dermatitis is caused by touching an irritating substance such as clothing materials and dyes, latex, cosmetics, soaps or certain plants like poison ivy. Seborrheic dermatitis forms red patches and scaling, usually on the face and head, where it is more commonly known as dandruff or cradle cap. Other common rashes include eczema, psoriasis, impetigo, shingles, chicken pox, measles, scarlet fever, insect bites and those caused by medical conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

A dermatologist is usually able to identify the rash by looking at it and asking about accompanying symptoms. Mild rashes can often be treated with simple home care practices such as avoiding soaps and bathing in warm water. Others may require moisturizing creams, prescription medications or more extensive treatment.

Alopecia Areata

What is it?

Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease that causes a person's hair to fall out as the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Hair often falls out in clumps and can be maintained in a small area or may lead to severe hair loss.

What are the symptoms?

Hair loss on the scalp and other areas of the body
Itching as the hair regrows
Uneven regrowth of hair

Who gets it?

Anyone can be affected by alopecia areata, and nearly 2% of the American population will develop the disease at some point. Some people may have an increased risk if they have a family history of the disease or of other autoimmune disorders such as diabetes or lupus. Children and young adults are also commonly affected.

How is it treated?

Although alopecia areata cannot be cured, there are several treatment options available to help promote new hair growth and prevent further hair loss. Corticosteroids are often used to treat autoimmune diseases and may be administered as injections, pills or topical ointment to suppress the immune system from attacking the hair follicles.

Rogaine and other hair growth products can be used to help stimulate hair growth from areas that have been affected. A combination of these treatment options may improve their effectiveness, but there is no guaranteed treatment for alopecia areata.

Keloids

Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue that forms after a skin injury such as a surgical incision or wound. A keloid may be red, pink or flesh-colored and forms over the site of the injury as a nodular or ridged growth. The cause of keloids is unknown, but they are believed to be a result of the body's failure to end the healing process and stop repairing skin. They may be hereditary as well.

Treatment for keloids is not usually necessary since they are harmless and may disappear over time. However, for cosmetic purposes, cryotherapy, steroid injections or laser treatments may be used to remove the keloid.

Seborrhea/ Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrhea is a chronic skin condition of unknown origin which causes scaling, oiliness and redness of the skin, most commonly on the scalp (in which case it is often referred to as dandruff), face, ears, navel and genitals. Although symptoms imply that skin is dry, seborrhea actually involves excess oil production in the glands. For this reason, self-treatment methods such as moisturizing often prove ineffective and may even worsen the condition. Professionally recommended treatments such as cortisone creams and lotions and reduction of yeast on the skin surface, in combination with frequent gentle washing and avoidance of harsh or perfumed soaps, can alleviate symptoms.

Advanced Wound Care and Dressings

Many patients with skin ulcers, burns and other types of wounds face difficulty with the healing process for these troubling wounds, especially if the patient is diabetic. There are several different treatment options available for wounds resistant to conventional therapies. Some of these may include creams, ointments, synthetic skin grafts and other therapies that promote natural healing within the skin to avoid wound complications.

At Virginia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center, we are proud to offer patients many advanced solutions to their wound healing problems. It is important for wounds to remain clean and free of debris and bacteria in order to properly heal and prevent infection, so proper dressings that are changed on a regular basis are essential. We provide a clean, moist environment that is conducive to healing for most wounds and helps lead toward a quick and efficient recovery.

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