Skin Cancer Treatment at Treasure Coast Dermatology

Treasure Coast Dermatology Toll Free 877.870.3376 Serving Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River COunty and Okeechobee County

ECZEMA/ATOPIC DERMATITIS

The terms "eczema" or "dermatitis" are used to describe certain kinds of inflamed skin conditions including allergic contact dermatitis and nummular dermatitis. Eczema can be red, blistering, oozing, scaly, brownish, or thickened and usually itches. A special type is called atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema.

Atopic Dermatitis or Atopic Eczema

The word "atopic" means there is a tendency for excess inflammation in the skin and linings of the nose and lungs. This often runs in families with allergies such as hay fever and asthma, sensitive skin, or a history of atopic dermatitis. Although most people with atopic dermatitis have family members with similar problems, 20% of them are the only ones in their family with the condition.

Atopic dermatitis is very common in all parts of the world. It affects about 10% of infants and 3% of the total population in the United States.

It can occur at any age but is most common in infants to young adults. The skin rash is very itchy and can be widespread, or limited to a few areas.

The condition frequently improves with adolescence, but many patients are affected throughout life, although not as severely as in early childhood.

Infantile Eczema

When the disease starts in infancy, it is called infantile eczema. This is an itchy, oozing, crusting rash and occurs mainly on the face and scalp, but patches can appear anywhere. Because of the itch, children may rub their head, cheeks, or other patches with a hand, a pillow, or anything within reach. Many babies improve before two years of age. Proper treatment can help until time solves the problem.

Eczema in Later Life

In teens and young adults, the patches typically occur on the hands and feet. However, any area such as the bends of the elbows, backs of the knees, ankles, wrists, face, neck, and upper chest may be affected. When it appears on the palms, backs of the hands, fingers, or on the feet, there can be episodes of crusting and oozing.

Other eczema patches in this stage are typically dry, red to brownish-gray, and may be scaly or thickened. The thickened areas may last for years without treatment. The intense, almost unbearable itching can continue, and may be most noticeable at night. Some patients scratch the skin until it bleeds and crusts. When this occurs, the skin can get infected.

Since the disease does not always follow the same pattern, proper, early, and regular treatment can bring relief and may reduce the severity and duration of the disease.

Questions and Answers About Atopic Dermatitis

Q. Since this condition is associated with allergies, can certain foods be the cause?

A. Rarely (perhaps 10%). Although some foods may provoke atopic dermatitis, especially in infants and young children with asthma, eliminating those foods is rarely a cure. You should eliminate any foods that cause immediate severe reactions or welts.

Q. Are environmental causes important and should they be eliminated?

A. Rarely. The elimination of contact or airborne substances does not bring lasting relief. Occasionally, dust and dust-catching objects like feather-pillows, down comforters, kapok pillows and mattresses, cat and dog dander, carpeting, drapes, some toys, wool, and other rough fabrics, can worsen atopic dermatitis.

Q. Are skin tests, like those given for hay fever or asthma, of any value in finding the causes?

A. Sometimes, but not as a rule. A positive test means allergy only about 20% of the time. If negative, the test is good evidence against allergy.

Q. Are "shots" such as those given for hay fever and other allergies, useful?

A. Not usually. They may even make the skin condition worse in some patients.

Q. What should be done to treat this condition?

A. See your dermatologist for advice on avoiding irritating factors in creams and lotions; rough, scratchy, or tight clothing; and woolens. Rapid changes of temperature and any activity that causes sweating can aggravate atopic dermatitis. Proper bathing, moisturizing, and dealing with emotional upsets which may make the condition worse can be discussed.

Atopic dermatitis is a very common condition. With proper treatment, the disease can be controlled in the majority of people.

Skin Cancer Specialists

"Dr. Sanders found the melanoma on my side," explains George. "If he hadn't caught it, it probably would have gone on for quite some time, because it was in an area where only someone who knows what they're looking for would notice it."

"Fortunately, Dr. Sanders found it far enough in advance so that he could take it out."

Mohs Surgery Has Highest Surgical Cure Rate

"Mohs surgery has the highest surgical cure rate for both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma," reports Jonathan Sanders, MD, JD. "For basal cell carcinoma, the technique produces approximately a ninety-nine percent cure rate, with just a slightly lower cure rate for squamous cell carcinoma."

The Mohs procedure is named for Dr. Frederick Mohs, who developed the surgery in the 1930s at the University of Wisconsin. The Mohs procedure involves removing successive layers of tissue and immediately examining them with a microscope, so that all of the roots and extensions of the cancerous lesion can be eliminated.

Dermatologists that perform Mohs surgery must have specialized skills in dermatology and dermatologic surgery. Training for Mohs surgery is available through select residency programs, specialized fellowships, and intensive training courses. Drs. Ioannides and Sanders are both members of the American Society for Mohs Surgery.

The entire procedure can take several hours to complete, but actual surgical time may be measured in just minutes. Most of the time is spent in careful preparation and scrutiny of the excised tissue.

Sunscreen Got You Covered?

The sun is necessary for life, but too much sun exposure may lead to poor health. More than one million people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. However, skin cancer is largely preventable if people protect themselves from the sun, so whether it's a cool day in January or a sunny day in July, the board-certified physicians of Treasure Coast Dermatology are here to help you play it safe outdoors.