Get Rid of Rosacea: Southlake Dermatology Services

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One of the most common skin conditions is rosacea which causes one to blush or flush quicker than other people. The flushing could spread to the checks, forehead, nose and chin. It is possible for nose, ears and back to be flushed as well. A person suffering from rosacea shows signs of flushing or redness on visible body parts. Even the blood vessels become visible and the person could have breakouts. The skin could become thicker and bumps could appear on the surface.

The person could also develop red eyes, swollen eyelids and irritation around the eye area. Usually, people with rosacea have a tendency to develop permanent redness on their noses. If you display any of these signs or symptoms, now is a good time to schedule an appointment with Southlake Dermatology.

Signs that you should look out for

People suffering from rosacea may not just develop red face symptoms. There are other signs and signs that the patient himself feels. Rosacea is divided into 4 categories.

  • The first category symptoms include flushing, redness and appearance of blood vessels that appear broken or like spider veins. People with rosacea tend to have highly sensitive skin that could react to sun exposure. The skin is prone to burns, stings, scaling and dryness. People with this condition blush quickly and easily, more than other people.
  • The second category of rosacea becomes apparent when acne breakouts appear on the skin. Breakouts could appear on areas that flush easily. People with rosacea may have to deal with recurrent appearances of acne breakouts that vanish and appear from time to time. Acne breakouts are common especially if people have oily skin. Even in this subcategory, the skin tends to be highly sensitive and may react to burns or stings. Broken blood vessels or spider veins are visible. The person could also show signs of red patches on the skin, which are also called plaques.
  • The third subcategory involves thick skin which results from rosacea. This type of skin display thick skin, especially around the nose – a condition referred to as rhinophyma. The person could develop thick skin on the cheeks, forehead, chin and ears, along with spider veins and enlarged pores. Bumps are common on oily skin and the person could be susceptible to breaking out as well. Before the symptoms begin getting worse, you should visit Southlake Dermatology at your earliest to prevent the condition from getting worse.
  • In the fourth subcategory, the person could display sings of rosacea around the eyes. In this condition, the eyes mostly appear red or watery. The patient is prone to irritation in the eyes as he could feel that there is dust in his eyes. Common eye conditions include redness, itchiness, dryness, stinging, burning, sensitivity to light and blurry vision. There could be visible signs of spider veins on the eyelid. The vision is affected and the patient would not be able to see as clearly as before. The patient may also develop a cyst. If you are the one facing this problem, contact Southlake Dermatology.

How did I get it?

Rosacea is common throughout the US. Currently, there is an estimate of 14 million documented cases of rosacea. Usually, people with fair skin and light hair and eyes are susceptible to developing the condition. People in their middle ages – 30 – 50 – are prone to developing rosacea. Studies show that people of Scandinavian or Celtic origin are prone to developing rosacea.

Furthermore, if you have suffered from severe acne breakouts in the past, there is a likelihood of developing rosacea. If you start noticing the first signs, do not risk using DIY or homemade remedies because there needs to be specialized treatment for rosacea. Contact Southlake Dermatology as soon as possible because the condition could be easier to treat in the early stages before it progresses to more difficult stages.

Being a woman, you have more chance of developing rosacea but it may not be as severe as men’s condition. Anyone can get the condition, including children.

Should I be worried?

Over time if the condition becomes worse or you develop permanent redness, you may easily become embarrassed in social situations and dread going in front of people, especially if it impacts more than just your cheeks and eyes. It is a chronic condition that requires regular treatment. Studies conducted on people with rosacea showed that their quality of life was affected and they face issues in different domains of their lives – relationships, marriage, work, and social situation.

It is not easy living with rosacea. It puts you in a constant state of worry that your condition would keep getting worse. you also tend to feel uncertain about taking your medication out of fear of side effects. Having to deal with this condition everyday could lower your esteem and self-confidence significantly. People feel frustrated because of the condition and start avoiding social situations. In severe case of rosacea, the person could also face issues at work, which causes them to skip work most of the time.

Therefore, if it keeps building up and you keep flushing repeatedly, people would interpret it in different ways – such as you could be embarrassed, or you are hiding something or you could have a substance abuse problem. Living like this is bound to make you feel anxious and depressed. Rather than neglecting the issue, you should drop by at Southlake Dermatology to have the condition diagnosed accurately and seek effective treatment. Living with the problem every day would affect your quality of like. Effective treatment could turn your life over and you may not have to live with worries, frustration or depression again.

How will I be treated?

Rather than conducting medical tests, and asking you questions, your dermatologist would examine your skin. You would be inquired to confirm whether you suffer from other medical conditions. Other conditions may look like rosacea but the dermatologist would want to rule out that it is not simply an allergic reaction. Treatment includes reducing pain, preventing symptoms from getting worse, and reducing sings of rosacea on your skin. You would be advised to stay away from risk factors, wear sun screen all the time and be prescribed with suitable, mild skincare options to prevent rosacea from getting worse. Rather than waiting for the condition to heal on its own, which it won’t, contact Compassion Dermatology, a Southlake Dermatology Service, for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Get Rid of Skin Hives: When Do You Need to Visit a Dermatologist in Southlake, TX

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You know those small, red bumps that appear all of a sudden on your skin and make your skin feel rough? Those are what you call skin hives, or medically, urticaria, as the condition is known in medicine. Skin hives could happen as a response to your body’s reaction against external pollutants toxins or increased cortisol levels. If you don’t know the exact reason of your skin hives and are unable to detect the causing factors, maybe it’s time for you to contact a Dermatologist in Southlake, TX for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Whether you need to visit a dermatologist immediately for skin hives shall be covered later in this article. Here’s what you should know about urticaria.

How does it affect me?

You would notice red bumps on certain parts of the skin, depending on the part that was exposed to an external cause and that could cause burning or itching. Hives can appear anywhere on your body – your face, hands, throat, and even your tongue or lips. Ouch! You know when it gets extremely uncomfortable and you are unable to eat, you should contact a Dermatologist in Southlake, TX as soon as possible.

You may discover hives in different sizes and colors. The color could change as the condition progresses or heals. They form plaques if they join together and the entire lifecycle could last for hours or one day before the healing process begins.

Skin hives result when small blood vessels cause blood plasma to leak out and release histamine chemical. There are various factors that could cause histamine to be activated, such as prolonged sun exposure, insect bites, food allergies or certain types of foods and medications. Given the range of factors that could result in skin hives, it is a tricky task to single out a factor for skin hives.

How long do they last?

  • The ones that result from certain types of foods, insect bites, diseases, or infections could take up to six weeks to heal. The type of foods that you should be careful about include chocolate, nuts, and milk. This is NOT to say that you should stop taking these foods altogether as they have certain health benefits. Contact a Dermatologist in Southlake, TX for an accurate examination of your condition and what you should avoid. Some medicines like pain killers, blood pressure control and aspirin may also cause hives. Visit a Dermatologist in Southlake, TX to determine how you can fix the condition, what you should do next and what needs to be avoided.
  • If your condition lasts more than six weeks, that’s when it becomes hard to detect the causing factor. In some cases, it could be a result of an internal disease or cancer. Therefore, rather than just taking it into your own hands and using home remedies, visit a Dermatologist in Southlake, TX for accurate examination.
  • Skin hive could also appear on your skin due to exposure to heat, sun, cold or pressure.

How is it diagnosed?

You should make an appointment with a Dermatologist in Southlake, TX for diagnosis of your condition. The dermatologist would ask several questions to detect the possible cause of your skin hives.  There are no tests for hives. The diagnosis depends on your medical history and a comprehensive examination. Your dermatologist may also perform skin tests to detect what you are allergic to. Blood tests could be used to determine whether you have a disease.

The dermatologist would identify the cause and guide you to abstain from it. You may be given temporary medication for relief but it is best to take them regularly to prevent hives from appearing on your skin. The dosage of course should be discussed with your dermatologist, especially if you are taking other drugs or are suffering from any illnesses.

When should you contact a dermatologist?

Look out for these signs and symptoms to contact Dermatologist in Southlake, TX:

  • Swollen face, tongue or lips
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Wheezing
  • Chest tightness
  • Light-headedness

You should contact the doctor immediately if the symptoms last more than a few days, leave painful bruises, become worse over time, disrupt your daily activities, cause you to feel dizzy or when you face difficulties in breathing. Hives may develop into more severe condition – angioedema – which is internal swelling rather than inflammation that appears on the skin’s surface. Dermatologist in Southlake, TX can prescribe medication for relief. If you keep getting hives, you need to contact the doctor for permanent relief as hives can prevent you from carrying on in daily activities, make you feel stressed and lead to depression. If it is affecting your quality of life, contact Compassion Dermatology in Southlake, TX.

What could cause it?

  • Increased cortisol levels indicate that you are stressed out. It lowers your immunity system, making you prone to hives. Strong emotions could lead to skin disorders. Stress hives may not last long but if they do, contact a dermatologist in Southlake, TX.
  • Hives could also result from sweating, particularly if you have been exercising, exposed to heat for hours, and in a hot bath for too long. If this happens every time, contact a doctor.
  • If you had been exposed to allergic substances, you may experience itching or burning on your skin. If there is no quick relief, contact a dermatologist in Southlake, TX.
  • You may get an allergic reaction from certain foods or food additives. Even fuzzy, carbonated drinks are known to cause hives. Consult a dermatologist about your issues so that you can get a clear idea of how you should eat and what you should avoid.
  • If you are wearing tight clothes, shift to slightly airy and lose clothes with light colors. Tight clothes cause you to sweat that clings on to your skin until you remove them. You would develop hives in places where there is more pressure from tight clothes. If you get them and they get worse over time, contact the doctor.

All That You Need to Know About Ringworm: Why Contact Southlake Dermatology for Help

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Do not be fooled by its name. Ringworm is not a worm infection. Known by its scientific name, tinea or dermatophytosis, ringworm is a fungal infection that appears on the skin. Ringworm does not just affect humans. The infection can affect both humans and animals and appears in the form of red patches on the skin that spread to the rest of the body. You may notice patches on feet, scalp, arms or other areas. If it occurs on the feet, the condition is known as athlete’s foot. The red rash is cornered with a mildly raised border, just like in the form of a ring, which is why it is called ringworm.

Ringworm is contagious and you may get it on other body parts if you come into contact with it. If it is on your feet, you are more likely to come into contact with it using your hands. You are also susceptible to developing the condition from others. If you come into contact with toxic substances or contaminated surfaces, the condition is likely to appear on your skin.

How can I recognize it?

The symptoms depend on the body areas that are affected. Here’s what you may notice:

  • Raised patches
  • Raised patches are redder on the border
  • Raised patches that form a ring
  • Blisters begin to develop
  • Red, itchy or scaly patches

If the symptoms become worse over time, you need to contact Southlake Dermatology for help. When you start noticing the symptoms, you should contact the doctor anyway, immediately. In case the infection starts happening on your fingernails or toenails, your nails – if not treated – would become thicker and lose their natural color. Ringworm could cause the nails to crack. If it happens on the head, you would be prone to having red marks, losing hair and developing bald patches.

Am I at risk?

Ringworm develops from three types of fungi, which stay for prolonged periods beneath earth. If you or an animal – say, your pet – come into contact with this soil directly, you or the animal could contact ringworm.

You are prone to getting the infection if you come into contact with human and animals who are suffering from the condition. Children are more likely to develop it because they frequently come into contact with shared items that may not be as clean.

Anyone could be susceptible to developing ringworm infection. The condition is common among people who own pets – cats and dogs. Cats and dogs stand a high chance of contracting ringworm and pass it on their owners when they come into contact with them. There are subtle signs that could help you detect if your pets are infected. They might develop scaly patches on their skin, white patches around the claws, bald or circular patches of skin and patches with weak or broken hair.

Human are likely to contract the disease if they have mild infections, injuries or are wet. Walking barefoot could also expose you to the disease or athlete’s foot. For this reason, public pools, public washroom and public showers are not exactly clean. If you keep your laundry unwashed for a long time or wear used, unwashed clothing again, you would be at a higher chance of contracting ringworm.

How can it be diagnosed?

As soon as you notice the first signs of ringworm developing on your skin or pet’s skin, schedule an appointment with Southlake Dermatology immediately. Negligence could cause the infection to become bigger, more painful, redder, and spread to the rest of the body or even other people. The dermatologist would assess the affected area using black light. Black light is used because it makes fungi glow. Therefore, your dermatologist would examine your skin and detect all those areas that have been infected.

The dermatologist could use several tests to examine affected areas:

  • If the dermatologist perform KOH exam, a piece of skin would be scraped off from the infected area. The piece of skin is then placed in potassium hydroxide, which kills normal cells, leaving fungal cells for further examination under microscope.
  • Skin biopsy could be performed when your doctor extracts a sample of your skin and removes the blister, which are then forwarded to the laboratory for comprehensive examination.

How is it treated?

It is best to contact Southlake Dermatology for your skin condition as they would perform detailed examination of your skin and provide you with the right medication or suitable cure. Your dermatologist would also ask questions and might guide you to make some lifestyle changes to avoid contracting the disease in the future.

Southlake Dermatology would provide you with medication that is appropriate for your skin and depending on the seriousness of ringworm infection. If it is not that severe, Southlake Dermatology may prescribe you with ointments or creams. If you develop ringworm infection on the nails, you might be required to take medicines orally. If you take the medication regularly and follow the instructions that Southlake Dermatology provided you with, the infection can be gone within days or four weeks. If your body is still not responding well to the medication, contact Compassion Dermatology in Southlake, TX. The Southlake Dermatologist may provide you with other pills to clear the infection.

What should you do when you have it?

Southlake Dermatologist would recommend that you avoid going near risk factors and follow these instructions:

  • Always keep your bed clean. Dust you bed every day before sleeping and after waking up to clear dust or termites. Change the bed sheets regularly.
  • Always wash your clothes after wearing them. When you spend long hours wearing them, all the germs from your body accumulate on your clothes.
  • Avoid scratching the affected area as it could cause the infection to become worse. Repeated scratching could cause you to develop strep infection. Southlake Dermatology would provide you with antibiotics to cure the condition.
  • When you are wearing clothes that come into contact with the affected area, cover properly with bandage.

Southlake Dermatology

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As the body’s largest organ, the skin covers and protects you. It holds body fluids in, preventing dehydration and helps to regulate a consistent body temperature. The skin contains many nerve endings, allowing you to feel heat, cold, pain, itching, touch and other sensations. An important function the skin provides is as a barrier against the microbes that could cause infection. It is through your skin that sunshine enables your body to make vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential to the health of your bones, brain, heart, hormone regulation and many other processes in your body. The skin’s role in your health is important, and when problems occur, Compassion Dermatology can assist you. Contact our Southlake Dermatology practice today.

Over a million persons are diagnosed with skin cancer every year.  The most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma. Thankfully, these forms of skin cancer can be successfully treated when detected early. Melanoma is another form of skin cancer and is a more serious concern. Thankfully it is not as common, but it is also not as easy to cure as basal cell or squamous cell. An early diagnosis is also essential for improving the odds in the treatment of melanoma. Early detection of these skin cancers is the reason we recommend annual skin examinations. The examination takes very little time and can mean a successful early treatment and a better outcome. Give us a call today to schedule an exam, our Southlake Dermatology practice wants to provide you with the best care possible.

The Annual Exam

The annual exam is especially important for those chronically exposed to the sun, those with a history of Actinic keratoses, or persons who have experienced previous skin cancers. Self-exam is also important. Potential signs of skin cancer can include the following:

  • A mole, birthmark or any brown spot that increases in size or thickness, changes in texture, changes in color, is irregular in shape, or is larger than ¼ inch.
  • In addition, areas that are painful, itch, crust, scab, erode, bleed or wounds that do not heal within three weeks, should be inspected by a doctor. Most skin cancers are self-detected, so it pays to never ignore these signs. If you experience any of these signs, contact our Southlake Dermatology. Skin cancer that is left untreated can spread to other body organs and tissues.

You should also be aware that persons who are light skinned, have a family history of skin cancer, or those who are over the age of 50 are also at increased risk of developing skin cancer. Compassion Dermatology recommends annual examinations, especially for those at increased risk and over the age of 50 in our Southlake Dermatology.

The Initial Visit for Suspicious Sites

When you schedule an appointment at our Southlake Dermatology clinic for a suspicious site, your doctor will want to know when it appeared, if it has changed any in size or appearance, or if it has exhibited any other warning signs. You may be asked about any family history of skin cancer, previous sunburns and your tanning practices, if any.

During the examination, the site will be examined for the size, shape, color, and texture of the suspicious area, and whether it is bleeding, or crusting. Your entire body may be inspected for additional signs of potential skin cancer. This may include palpating lymph nodes, as some forms of skin cancer can metastasize (spread) to them.

Skin Biopsy

When you visit Southlake Dermatology, if your doctor suspects possible skin cancer, a skin biopsy may be performed. There are different types of biopsy, and the type will be chosen based on the location, size and other factors involving the suspicious site.

A local anesthetic will be used on the biopsy site, and you should not experience any pain during the procedure.

If a tumor has potentially grown into the skins deeper layers, an incisional or excisional biopsy may be performed. An incisionalbiopsy only removes a portion of the tumor. An excisional biopsy will remove the entire tumor. Sutures may be called for.

Biopsy of Lymph Nodes

Basal or squamous cell cancer rarely spreads beyond the skin. However, when it does, it typically first affects the lymph nodes nearest the primary site. If your doctor suspects the cancer may have spread to a lymph node, a biopsy may be provided.

Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy

A fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy may be performed to remove a very small amount of the lymph node. A local anesthetic may be provided. The needle is so fine, discomfort is minimal and may not require an anesthetic. The FNA does not provide as large a sample as other types of biopsy and may not provide the information required. Your doctor will decide on the necessary form of biopsy based the clinical signs present.

Excisional Lymph Node Biopsy

An excisional lymph node biopsy is the surgical removal of the node for microscopic examination. The depth of the lymph node will determine whether it can be removed in our Southlake Dermatology location or will require excision in an outpatient surgical center.

If you have a suspicious mole, a wound that will not heal, or other skin problems, we can help.  Remember, annual skin examinations by a professional is the best way to monitor for skin cancer. If you have a suspicious mole, un-healing wound, or other skin problems, we can help. Contact Compassion Dermatology today to schedule an appointment our Southlake Dermatology clinic.