Dermatologists today have access to a variety of safe and effective treatments for a host of common skin conditions.The first step in any successful treatment is diagnosis. With over 2,000 different skin diseases, it takes the specialized training of a dermatologist to accurately diagnose, and then effectively treat, the condition.
Here are some common conditions to watch for:
 cne is one of the most common of all skin problems. It is estimated that at least 45 million people suffer from acne. It affects most teenagers and even many adults.
It affects most teenagers and even many adults. Acne shows up as whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and in some people, deep painful bumps that look and feel like boils. Acne most commonly occurs on the face but can also appear on the back, chest, shoulders and neck. In most people, acne clears up after a few years. But at its worst, acne can cause devastating scars — both physically and emotionally.
Acne usually begins around puberty when members of both sexes experience an increase in the production of hormones. These hormones regulate the activity and size of the oil-producing, or sebaceous, glands that reside in the pores, or hair follicles of the skin.
The increased production of these hormones causes the oil glands to get bigger in the areas where acne occurs. An oily substance called sebum travels through the hair follicles to the surface of the skin. At the same time, the lining of the wall of the hair follicle sheds skin cells that then stick together with the sebum. The follicle gets clogged, plugging up the opening in the surface of the skin — and whiteheads, blackheads and pimples are born.
Unfortunately, that’s just the beginning. As it progresses, acne can become those red, painful bumps that have sent many teens and adults into hiding. Fortunately, effective treatment is available!
It’s all in the genes. Studies have shown that a majority of acne can be linked to genetic factors. For instance, if you had acne when you were younger, chances are good that your child will too. For more information and tips on helping a teen deal with acne, visit www.epiduo.com.
Learn more about the myths and facts surrounding acne.
Your body sends in certain specialized cells that invade the follicle to help clean it up. However, in the process, the wall of the follicle may weaken and rupture, emptying the contents of the follicle into the surrounding tissue. When this occurs, swelling or redness can develop around the affected follicle, resulting in the larger bumps or pimples characteristic of moderate to severe acne. These are known as papules and pustules and can sometimes cause scarring.
From the beginning until its disappearance, the lifecycle of a pimple can take eight weeks. And it can take even longer for the darkened spots left by some acne pimples to fade completely.
Almost everyone experiences some pimples, especially during adolescence. Mild acne can sometimes be treated successfully with over-the-counter creams and cleansers — but not always. Acne is considered mild if only the face is affected, the blemishes are mostly whiteheads and blackheads, and papules or pustules are uncommon. (Papules are large, red, painful blemishes that do not contain pus; pustules are similar to papules but contain pus.)
When several papules and pustules are present, there is the greater risk for scarring. Acne this severe should definitely be seen by a doctor or dermatologist. If you are experiencing numerous breakouts or have acne on the chest and/or back, don't wait — consult a doctor or dermatologist. It's important to get to the root of the problem with the treatment thats right for you. Speak to your doctor about appropriate treatment.
Need a dermatologist? Locate one in your area with the DermFinder.
Here are some common myths — and some real facts:
MYTH: People get acne from poor hygiene.
FACT: Acne begins below the surface of the skin when the hair follicle becomes plugged. Bacteria that cause inflammation in the hair follicles of your skin may contribute to the formation of acne pimples and blackheads. However, the blackheads aren't plugged with dirt, and the pimples simply won't get better with repeated washing. In fact, over-washing may actually irritate your skin.
MYTH: Eating greasy, fried foods or chocolate causes acne.
FACT: No one has been able to prove that chocolate causes acne. The only way fried foods may promote blemishes is if the oil in which they are cooked gets onto your skin and isn't completely washed off. Sometimes a poor diet reflects a stressful lifestyle. In some people, stress itself can trigger an outbreak of acne by increasing production of hormones.
MYTH: Using makeup causes acne.
FACT: Some makeup can promote the clogging of pores. Look for makeup labeled "non-comedogenic," which is specially formulated not to clog your pores or aggravate skin.
MYTH: Washing your face frequently will prevent acne.
FACT: No matter how much you scrub, you can't prevent clogged pores. In reality, washing too frequently, or with harsh cleansers, can actually make it worse. Your body may produce more oil to combat the dryness. Try a mild cleanser such as Cetaphil® cleansers, formulated for all skin types. If you have already have acne, talk to your dermatologist about medicated cleansers and gels.
 ermatitis is a general term for certain kinds of itchy, red, inflamed skin conditions. There are many types of dermatitis.
Some can affect the entire body and some just the scalp. Eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis are among the most common.
Eczema is a term to describe specific skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, hand dermatitis and asteatotic eczema. It is an itchy, red, scaling, weeping, oozing skin condition. It may be present in and of itself in skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis or dry skin eczema (winter itch). Or it may be in the form of athlete's foot, ringworm or poison ivy. Most commonly dermatologists prescribe topical steroids for eczema.
Psoriasis is a disorder in which skin grows and replaces itself too rapidly, causing a buildup of red, thickened areas with silvery scales. These scales flake off easily and often, causing the red areas to grow larger still — and the cycle continues. Psoriasis usually develops on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back — and often appears in the same place on both sides of the body. Psoriasis can often be effectively managed with steroid treatment.
Millions of Americans are affected by seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis is a noncontagious skin disorder that may appear as red, inflamed skin covered by greasy or dry scales that are often white, yellowish or gray. It is commonly seen on the scalp, sides of the nose, eyebrows, eyelids, behind the ears and on the chest. Periodically, and usually unpredictably, the skin starts reproducing itself faster than normal. When this happens, the extra skin can't be shed fast enough, so flakes appear. Anyone at any age can develop seborrheic dermatitis. It is most common in infants younger than three months of age and among adults age 30 and older. The condition is slightly more common in men than women and usually first appears in patients who are in their teens and 20s.
 elasma is a natural darkening of the skin on your face caused by excessive production of melanin — the pigment that causes your skin to tan.
It manifests itself as darker patches on cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. More than 6 million women are estimated to have melasma. (Men can develop it, but it is rare.) It is more common in people with light brown skin, especially Hispanics and Asians.
Melasma is usually caused by normal hormonal changes in women — during pregnancy or when taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. Because of the way it looks when it usually occurs, melasma is sometimes called the "mask of pregnancy." It can be mild, moderate or severe, depending on how much of your face is discolored and how much darker than normal your skin has become. Melasma may also be associated with the use of certain anti-epileptic drugs.
Melasma only occurs on the areas of your skin that are exposed to the sun. Exposure to the sun, even during normal daily activities, can further darken melasma patches.
Melasma can be embarrassing, especially in a society where appearance is important and valued. Fortunately, treatment is available.
Locate a dermatologist in your area today with the DermFinder.
Melasma is a hyperpigmentation disorder of the skin and is characterized by dark spots or blotches on the face, forehead and neck.
Caused by an imbalance of hormones, melasma is the result of excess melanin being deposited in the dermal or epidermal layers of the skin. Your skin naturally darkens, or tans, in response to sun exposure, due to the pigment melanin. In women with melasma, the imbalance of melanin in certain areas of the face cause the dark patches to form.
The majority of melasma cases occur during pregnancy or with oral contraceptive use, but women who are taking hormone replacement therapy can also develop melasma. Between 50% and 70% of pregnant women experience melasma, usually during the second or third trimester. Melasma seems to run in families — if your mother and grandmother had melasma, you are more likely to develop it.
Melasma is often brushed aside as a condition that will "go away on its own." Not necessarily true. Melasma can get worse as time goes on due to day-to-day sun exposure. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help fade melasma patches. If you have melasma or have had it in the past, you need to protect your skin from the sun. Even minimal daily exposure can cause your melasma to return or can darken existing spots. Wear a sunscreen every day with an SPF of 30 or greater. Also try to shield your face from the sun with hats or visors.
Talk to your dermatologist about getting started on melasma treatment – and get smart about sun exposure to keep your melasma in check.
If you don't have a dermatologist, locate one in your area with the DermFinder.
 soriasis is a disorder in which skin grows and replaces itself too rapidly, causing a buildup of red, thickened areas with silvery scales.
Normal skin replacement takes about 30 days. In people suffering from psoriasis, the skin replaces itself much more rapidly (3-4 days) and the telltale signs of psoriasis emerge.
Psoriasis usually develops on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back — and often appears in the same place on both sides of the body. The most common form is called plaque psoriasis. This persistent condition begins as small red bumps. As these grow larger, scales begin to form. These scales flake off easily and often, causing the red areas to grow larger still — and the cycle continues. Psoriasis can often be effectively controlled with steroid treatment.
At least fifty percent of people with psoriasis on their bodies also have scalp psoriasis. Scalp psoriasis is often mistaken for dandruff and can range from very mild with fine scaling to very severe with thick, crusted plaques. There are treatments available to help manage your scalp psoriasis. Speak to your doctor to find one that is right for you.
 osacea is a common, but often ignored, skin condition that affects an estimated 14 million Americans.
It looks much like a blush or sunburn that may last for hours or days. If you have rosacea, you may find yourself battling a constant facial redness and dealing with pimples much like you had as a teenager.
Rosacea generally occurs in patients between the ages of 25 and 50 years, and it is much more common in people with fair complexions. Women are more likely than men to have rosacea, although the disease is generally more severe in men. There are certain lifestyle triggers, such as exposure to the sun, that tend to bring on a rosacea flare-up.
Early diagnosis and treatment is the best defenses to rosacea. If you are diagnosed with rosacea, your dermatologist can start you on a plan of treatment that may include oral or topical products to help control the condition.
If you don't have a dermatologist, locate one in your area with the DermFinder.
In a survey conducted by the National Rosacea Society, some of the most common rosacea triggers include exposure to the sun, emotional and physical stress, alcohol, hot or cold temperatures, wind, spicy foods, hot baths and hot drinks such as coffee or tea. Rosacea triggers are different for everyone. You may feel the telltale “heat” coming on while enjoying a cocktail, or when addressing a group of your peers. You may notice that a day at the beach leaves you with a rosy glow that just won’t fade — even if you were in the shade.
To avoid rosacea flare-ups, it is important to recognize and avoid those triggers that cause blood flow to the cheeks, causing your face to blush. For some people, it helps to take an antihistamine before eating foods high in histamine, such as canned fish, cheeses, cured meats, spinach and tomatoes. You can also try taking an aspirin before eating foods high in niacin, such as meat, poultry, fish and nuts. Before heading outside, check the daily UV Map to find out the risk level of UV rays in your area. Remember, these triggers are unique for everyone. Keeping track of flare-ups in a journal can help you identify — and avoid — your personal triggers.
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