Now dermatologists have another tool to add to their toolbox in the fight against melanoma. MelaFind is an FDA-approved device that scans suspicious moles and analyzes them.
How does it work?
First, the dermatologist performs an skin exam and selects suspicious-appearing moles. The skin is then cleansed with alcohol. A painless, hand-held device scans the moles and compares the pattern of the mole to thousands in its database. A reading is then generated of "high disorganization" or "low disorganization." Highly disorganized moles are more suspicious for melanoma and warrant a biopsy.
Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that can be deadly, however, if caught early, is 100% curable. With regular skin exams, new technology, and sun protection, it's easier than to protect your precious skin.
Click here for MelaFind at Horwitz Dermatology
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Shingles: ain't just on the roof
"I feel like something bit me on the lower back." "I've got this burning, tingling rash." "There are little blisters on my arm."
What do these people have in common? All have herpes zoster, aka, shingles. It's a more common condition than you may think: 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. It can affect any sex or age group (including children), although it is more common after age 60.
Despite its name, herpes zoster is not caused by the herpes virus. It's caused by the varicella virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once an individual has been infected with the chickenpox virus, it remains inactive (dormant) in our nerves forever. For reasons not entirely understood, the virus will activate, travel along the nerve, and erupt in the skin that connected to that specific nerve. This is why shingles only shows up in a portion of the skin, and not everywhere, like chickenpox does.
Although anyone can develop shingles, those with a weakened immune system due to cancer, pregnancy, illness, and certain immunosuppressive medications are at higher risk. Shingles usually starts as a tingling or burning sensation in the skin. A few days later, a red rash with grouped clear, small blisters will appear. The rash may feel painful or itchy.
Antiviral treatment is available from your physician, which helps to reduce the length of time and severity of the shingles. They should be started early in the course to be most effective. A dreaded complication of shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia, which is persistent nerve pain in the area of shingles. The antiviral treatment may help prevent this condition. Shingles that involves the face, eyes, or ears requires emergent treatment to avoid complications.
A vaccine, called Zostavax, is available for patients age 60 and older. It may prevent the development of shingles.
What do these people have in common? All have herpes zoster, aka, shingles. It's a more common condition than you may think: 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. It can affect any sex or age group (including children), although it is more common after age 60.
Despite its name, herpes zoster is not caused by the herpes virus. It's caused by the varicella virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once an individual has been infected with the chickenpox virus, it remains inactive (dormant) in our nerves forever. For reasons not entirely understood, the virus will activate, travel along the nerve, and erupt in the skin that connected to that specific nerve. This is why shingles only shows up in a portion of the skin, and not everywhere, like chickenpox does.
Although anyone can develop shingles, those with a weakened immune system due to cancer, pregnancy, illness, and certain immunosuppressive medications are at higher risk. Shingles usually starts as a tingling or burning sensation in the skin. A few days later, a red rash with grouped clear, small blisters will appear. The rash may feel painful or itchy.
Antiviral treatment is available from your physician, which helps to reduce the length of time and severity of the shingles. They should be started early in the course to be most effective. A dreaded complication of shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia, which is persistent nerve pain in the area of shingles. The antiviral treatment may help prevent this condition. Shingles that involves the face, eyes, or ears requires emergent treatment to avoid complications.
A vaccine, called Zostavax, is available for patients age 60 and older. It may prevent the development of shingles.
Friday, July 5, 2013
How to treat a sunburn
Pretty much everyone knows that getting a sunburn is a bad idea. Aside from being uncomfortable or downright painful, a sunburn accelerates the aging process and increases the risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma. But occasionally, even to the most cautious people, it can happen. So what can be done to treat it?
Seek the shade
First and foremost, get out of the sun and into a cool, shady place to prevent any more damage at the first signs of a sunburn. Unfortunately, the redness and discomfort may not show up until a few hours after the burn.
Cool down
Cool showers, cool compresses, and slathering on moisturizing creams can help. Avoid scrubbing the skin. Eucerin calming cream can often feel soothing. The moisturizer can be kept in the refrigerator for added benefit. Taking ibuprofen or aspirin by mouth helps alleviate inflammation and pain. Remember, kids should never be given aspirin.
Hydrate
Drink lots of water to re-hydrate. Headache and dizziness can be a sign of dehydration. Children can dehydrate easily, so if they seem ill or develop fever, be sure to seek medical attention. Rarely, IV hydration may be needed.
Relieve the itch
Sunburned skin often feels itchy and tight. An over the counter hydrocortisone cream can offer some relief. If it doesn't do enough, a dermatologist can prescribe a stronger cream, or occasionally, oral steroids. Loose clothing will prevent further irritation of the skin from friction.
Hands off!
If it's a bad sunburn, blisters may develop. Avoid picking or peeling blisters or skin, as this can lead to infection. If many blisters or fever are present, see a physician pronto.
Avoid it
The best way to treat a sunburn is to avoid it in the first place. Limit time in the sun, wear sun protective clothing (shirts and hats), and slather on the sunscreen every two hours (more often if swimming or sweating). Remember, we only have one skin: protect it!
Seek the shade
First and foremost, get out of the sun and into a cool, shady place to prevent any more damage at the first signs of a sunburn. Unfortunately, the redness and discomfort may not show up until a few hours after the burn.
Cool down
Cool showers, cool compresses, and slathering on moisturizing creams can help. Avoid scrubbing the skin. Eucerin calming cream can often feel soothing. The moisturizer can be kept in the refrigerator for added benefit. Taking ibuprofen or aspirin by mouth helps alleviate inflammation and pain. Remember, kids should never be given aspirin.
Hydrate
Drink lots of water to re-hydrate. Headache and dizziness can be a sign of dehydration. Children can dehydrate easily, so if they seem ill or develop fever, be sure to seek medical attention. Rarely, IV hydration may be needed.
Relieve the itch
Sunburned skin often feels itchy and tight. An over the counter hydrocortisone cream can offer some relief. If it doesn't do enough, a dermatologist can prescribe a stronger cream, or occasionally, oral steroids. Loose clothing will prevent further irritation of the skin from friction.
Hands off!
If it's a bad sunburn, blisters may develop. Avoid picking or peeling blisters or skin, as this can lead to infection. If many blisters or fever are present, see a physician pronto.
Avoid it
The best way to treat a sunburn is to avoid it in the first place. Limit time in the sun, wear sun protective clothing (shirts and hats), and slather on the sunscreen every two hours (more often if swimming or sweating). Remember, we only have one skin: protect it!
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