Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of New York & New Jersey

Acne Vulgaris

Acne is chronic inflammation of the pilosebaceous units (hair follicle and oil gland) of the face and trunk that commonly begins during adolescence. Acne presents clinically with comedones, papules, nodules, cysts or papulopustules, sometimes followed by pitted or hypertrophic scars. An overproduction of oil, an overgrowth of P. acne bateria and a clogging of the pores are the main cause acne. This condition can be aggravated by stress, illness or comedogenic cosmetics. It is unclear as to whether diet plays a direct role in acne.

Aging Skin

As the body ages, the appearance and characteristics of the skin alter. Aging is accelerated in skin exposed to sunlight (ultraviolet radiation), a process known as 'photoaging.' This is particularly apparent on the face, and occurs at an early age in fair skinned people who have spent much time outdoors. The result of photoaging is lines and wrinkles, brown freckles called lentigos, yellowing of the skin, dilated capillaries (telangiectases), blackheads and whiteheads (senile comedones) and a dry complexion. Aging skin should be regularly examined for precancerous and cancerous lesions. Photodamaged skin can be treated with laser therapy.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis is an itchy skin condition caused by an hypersensitivity reaction to material in contact with the skin. This type of reaction occurs after the immune system processes the absorbed material and mounts an immune response against it. This reaction causes severe itching, swelling and redness in the affected area. Poison ivy is a classic example of this condition.

Alopecia Areta

Alopecia areata consists of round patches of hair loss that appear suddenly. Any hair-bearing area can be affected but the scalp is most common. Alopecia areata is caused by an immune reaction targeting individual hair follicles. Regrowth can occur spontaneously and is often treated with topical or intralesional medications. It can occur at any age, is not contagious, and sometimes starts after a stressful event. Alopecia areata has three stages: First there is sudden loss of hair; then enlargement of the patches of hair loss; Lastly new hair usually grows back. This may take many months to resolve.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Male pattern hair loss is characterized by a receding hairline and/or hair loss on the top of the head. Male pattern hair loss is an inherited condition, caused by a genetically determined sensitivity to the effects of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT is believed to shorten the growth, or anagen, phase of the hair cycle, causing miniaturization of the follicles, and producing progressively finer hairs. An enzyme called 5-alpha reductase regulates the production of DHT.

APEC

Asymmetric Periflexural Exanthema of Childhood (APEC) is an uncommon rash affecting young children. It is suspected to be due to a viral infection, mainly occurs in winter and spring and affects twice as many girls as boys. The average age is two, most cases being between one and five years old. The rash is often mistaken for eczema (dermatitis) or a fungal infection (ringworm). It usually starts in the armpit or groin and gradually extends outwards, remaining predominantly on one side of the body. It may spread to the face, genitalia, hands or feet. The rash begins as a tiny-raised pink spots, which may be surrounded by a pale halo, then slowly becomes flat and scaly. The middle of older patches fades to a dusky gray. Occasionally the patches are net-like or in rings. Little blisters or blood spots may occur. The rash is usually quite itchy.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (also called eczema) is the name given to a stubborn itchy rash, which occurs in certain people with sensitive skin. Atopic dermatitis is common in infants and small children (affecting about one in seven), but it usually clears before adulthood. Eczema may clear for years, only to reappear later at a different site. The exact cause is unknown. It is probably the result of an inborn defect of the skin that tends to run in families; other family members often have asthma or hay fever. Atopic eczema is not contagious and does not affect one's general health. The skin is usually dry and easily irritated by soap, detergents and woolen clothing. Eczema may be aggravated by hot weather and a wide variety of environmental factors both at home and at work. These include dust, cats, emotional stress, and rarely foods.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer in humans. Yet, it is very rarely a threat to life. Basal cell carcinoma typically affects people of fair complexion who have had a lot of sun exposure, or repeated episodes of sunburn. The tendency to develop Basal cell carcinoma may be inherited. Basal Cell Carcinoma can vary in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. They usually grow slowly over months or years.

Boils (see also furunculosis)

Boils are caused by an infection of the hair follicles with the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Most people with boils are otherwise healthy and have good personal hygiene. They do however carry Staphylococcus aureus on the surface of their skins (Staphylococcus carrier state). Why this occurs is usually not known, but it is estimated that 10 - 20% of the population are Staphylococcus carriers.

BOTOX?

Injectable solution that temporarily paralyzes wrinkles caused by excess muscle tone.

Bullous Pemphigoid

Bullous Pemphigoid Bullous pemphigoid is a blistering skin disease, which usually affects middle aged or elderly persons. Characteristically, crops of tense, fluid -filled blisters develop. They may arise from normal-looking or reddened skin, often in body folds. Usually, the skin is very itchy. Although sometimes pemphigoid is localized to one area such as an ankle, it is usually widespread. The diagnosis is confirmed by taking a skin biopsy of a typical blister. Under the microscope, the pathologist can see a split between the main layers of the skin, the epidermis and the dermis. This occurs because antibodies and white blood cells attack the membrane that holds the skin together.

Caf? au lait spot

A benign birthmark.

Candida

Candida is the name for a group of yeasts (a type of fungus) that commonly infect the skin. The name "candida" refers to the white color of the organisms in culture. Candidal infection is known as "candidiasis", "candidosis" or "moniliasis". Candida depends on a living host for survival. It is a normal inhabitant of the human digestive tract from early infancy, where it lives without causing any disease most of the time. However, if the host's defences are lowered, the organism can cause infection of the mucosa (the lining of the mouth, anus and genitals), the skin, and rarely, deep-seated infection.

Capillaritis

Capillaritis is the name given to a harmless skin condition in which there are reddish -brown patches caused by leaky capillaries. It is also known as pigmented purpura. The capillaries are small blood vessels near to the skin surface. For unknown reasons they sometimes become inflamed. Blood cells may pass through small gaps that arise between the cells, which make up the capillary walls. The result is tiny red dots appear on the skin, described as cayenne pepper spots. They group together to form a flat red patch, which becomes brown and then slowly fades away over weeks to months.

Cat Scratch Disease

CSD is a benign self-limited zoonotic infection, characterized by a primary skin or eye lesion, following cat scratches or contact with a cat and subsequent tender lymph nodes. The inoculation site resembles a pimple which may ulcerate. Occasionally there may be a high fever and severe systematic symptoms.

Cellulite

This is the "cottage cheese" appearance to skin that occurs most commonly on the thighs. Its cause is unknown although there appears to be a genetic basis for this cosmetic condition. Treatment has been notorioulsy difficult. Creams generally do not help and a variety of other treatments have been unsuccessful. Newer devices, currrently being studied by Dr. Goldberg and others, may be the answer.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a sudden spreading infection of dermal and subcutaneous tissues (tissues underneath the skin) characterized by a red hot tender area of skin, often at the site of bacterial entry, caused most frequently by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci or staphylococcus aureus. Patients often have associated malaise, anorexia, fever, and chills. If untreated cellulitis can be life threatening.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is also known as Varicella. Which is a highly contagious primary infection caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus, characterized by successive crops of small blisters which can evolve into pustules, crusts and even scars. There is often associated headache, fever, generalized aches, and malaise. In adults the disease is usually more severe and may lead to pneumonia, encephalitis and myocarditis.

Chilblains

Chilblains are itchy and/or tender red or purple bumps that occur as a reaction to cold. They are also known as pernio. Chilblains occur several hours after exposure to the cold in temperate humid climates. They are sometimes aggravated by sun exposure. Cold causes constriction of the small arteries and veins in the skin and rewarming results in leakage of blood into the tissues and swelling of the skin.

Chloracne

Chloracne is a rare acne-like skin condition caused by certain toxic chemicals including the dioxins. It develops a few months after swallowing, inhaling or touching the responsible agent.

Dermatology Dictionary