If you have a lot of acne, cysts, or nodules, a medicine that you can buy without a prescription may not work. If you want to see clearer skin, you should see a dermatologist.

Delayed allergies are evaluated through patch testing. This is a process in which various allergens are applied to the back with tape and left in place for two days at which time they are removed. The patient is brought back another two days later to evaluate for delayed reactions on the skin which present as red, swollen areas.

The skin is the body’s first barrier against bacteria that cause infections. Even though many bacteria live on the surface of our skin, healthy skin can usually protect us from infection. However, bacterial skin infections can affect a small spot or may spread, affecting a large area. They can range from a treatable infection to a life-threatening skin condition.

Almost everyone gets this type of eczema at least once. We get contact dermatitis when something that our skin touches causes a rash. Some rashes happen immediately. Most take time to appear.

There are literally hundreds of different kinds of lumps, bumps and cysts associated with the skin. Fortunately, the vast majority of these are harmless and painless.

To find out whether your dry skin is a sign of a skin disease, Dr. Blatnoy and the staff at the Orlando Dermatology Center will carefully examine your skin. The examiner also will ask questions, such as when the problem began. This information will help your local Orlando dermatologist make the right diagnosis and determine the best treatment. Tests may be needed if a dermatologist thinks your dry skin is due to a health problem.

Eczema is a general term used to describe an inflammation of the skin. In fact, eczema is a series of chronic skin conditions that produce itchy rashes; scaly, dry and leathery areas; skin redness; or inflammation around blisters. It can be located anywhere on the body, but most frequently appears in the creases on the face, arms and legs. Itchiness is the key characteristic and symptom of eczema. When scratched, the lesions may begin to ooze and get crusted. Over time, painful cracks in the scaly, leathery tissue can form.

If you have ever had athlete’s foot or a yeast infection, you can blame a fungus. A fungus is a primitive organism. Mushrooms, mold and mildew are examples. Fungi live in air, in soil, on plants and in water. Some live in the human body. Only about half of all types of fungi are harmful.

Everyone loses hair. It is normal to lose about 50-100 hairs every day. If you see bald patches or lots of thinning, you may be experiencing hair loss.

Hives, or “wheals”, are pale red swellings of skin that occur in groups on any part of the skin. Urticaria is the medical word for hives. Each hive lasts a few hours before fading without a trace. New areas may develop as old areas fade. They can vary in size from as small as a pencil eraser to as large as a dinner plate and may join together to form larger swellings. Hives usually are itchy, but may also burn or sting.

Itching can be uncomfortable and frustrating for those patients who suffer. Skin diseases like hives, chicken pox, and eczema are associated with an itching rash. Other conditions, like dry skin, can cause your whole body to itch and your skin to crack. Scabies and lice are parasitic infestations of the skin that can be very itchy. If a pigmented mole itches then a dermatological opinion should be sought to exclude a malignant change in the mole. Kidney failure, liver disease including hepatitis, and thyroid disease may cause itching.

To diagnose melanoma, a dermatologist begins by looking at the patient’s skin. A dermatologist will carefully examine moles and other suspicious spots. To get a better look, a dermatologist may use a device called a dermoscope. The device shines light on the skin. It magnifies the skin. This helps the dermatologist to see pigment and structures in the skin.

The medical term for a mole is a NEVUS (mole is Latin for “spot.”). Nevi are the plural of nevus. Congenital nevi are moles present at birth; acquired nevi develop anytime later. Nevi are made up of a particular type of cell, and the name is used to distinguish them from other, similar appearing fleshy growths.

Nail abnormalities are problems with the color, shape, texture, or thickness of the fingernails or toenails.

Alternative Names
Beau’s lines; Fingernail abnormalities; Spoon nails; Onycholysis; Leukonychia; Koilonychia; Brittle nails

Psoriasis in an inherited condition of the skin, joints, and immune system that results in the development of red scaly skin lesions that most commonly affect the elbows, knees, and scalp, but any part of the body can be affected. Psoriasis treatments are many and there is a lot of support for psoriasis patients. Unique forms of psoriasis include palm and sole psoriasis; inverse psoriasis in which the armpits and groin are affected; pustular psoriasis characterized by disseminated pustules on the body or localized pustules to the palms and soles; erythrodermic psoriasis in which the entire skin surface is red, inflamed, and scaly; and guttate psoriasis which is characterized by widespread small scaling lesions. Nail involvement is common, and psoriasis can affect the joints causing a condition known as psoriatic arthritis.

Skin rashes caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal etiologies are common presenting complaints to primary care clinics, emergency departments, and dermatologists. Although many presenting symptoms overlap, discrete identifiable factors for each disease can help aid in diagnosis and treatment. For example, herpes zoster (shingles) is a dermal and neurologic disorder caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).

Different fungi, depending on their location on the body, cause ringworm. It is caused by a fungal infection–not an actual worm. Fungi on the skin, hair, and nail bed are called dermatophytes. Also referred to by doctors as Tinea infections, infection on the scalp, arms, legs, face, and trunk is characterized by ring-shaped, red, scaly patches with clearing centers. Tinea infections of the feet, nails, and genital areas are not generally referred to as ringworm, as they may not take on the typical ring shape.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. It’s usually found on areas of the body damaged by UV rays from the sun or tanning beds. Sun-exposed skin includes the head, neck, ears, lips, arms, legs, and hands.

SCC is a fairly slow-growing skin cancer. Unlike other types of skin cancer, it can spread to the tissues, bones, and nearby lymph nodes, where it may become hard to treat. When caught early, it’s easy to treat.

Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma begins in the basal cells — a type of cell within the skin that produces new skin cells as old ones die off.
Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a slightly transparent bump on the skin, though it can take other forms. Basal cell carcinoma occurs most often on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, such as your head and neck.

Most basal cell carcinomas are thought to be caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. Avoiding the sun and using sunscreen may help protect against basal cell carcinoma.

SCC is a fairly slow-growing skin cancer. Unlike other types of skin cancer, it can spread to the tissues, bones, and nearby lymph nodes, where it may become hard to treat. When caught early, it’s easy to treat.