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Actinic keratosis: Diagnosis and treatment If you find a spot or growth on your skin that you think could be an actinic keratosis (AK), it’s time for a thorough skin exam. Should you have an AK, an accurate diagnosis and treatment can: Reduce your risk of developing skin cancer Get rid of an AK,

What can get rid of age spots? If you feel that age spots are telling people you’re past your prime, you may be able to fade those spots significantly. Sometimes, you can even get rid of them. Before you treat age spots, however, you should know a few facts. These facts can protect your health and

Prurigo nodularis: Overview Prurigo nodularis What is prurigo nodularis?This is a skin disease that usually begins with intensely itchy skin. Scratching and rubbing the itchy skin cause hard, itchy bumps to appear on the skin. Is it contagious? No Prurigo nodularis on a patient’s leg This

How to care for your skin in your 60s and 70s During our 60s and 70s, skin can feel dry and irritated. This happens for many reasons, including that skin is thinner and loses water more easily. Medications and medical conditions can also play a role. There is good news. The right skin care can improve

Bullous pemphigoid: Overview Bullous pemphigoid What is bullous pemphigoid? This is a rare autoimmune disease that can cause large blisters on the skin. Blisters can develop on other areas like inside the mouth, but this is rare. Is it contagious? No. Bullous pemphigoid is a chronic disease,

Hives: Overview Hives What are hives?This is a skin reaction that causes bumps, raised patches, or both to suddenly appear on the skin. The bumps and raised patches are often itchy and may look swollen. The medical name for hives is urticaria. Are hives contagious?No, you cannot get hives by

7 ways to remove unwanted hair Dermatologists offer treatment for unwanted hair Dermatologists offer hair removal treatments, which include laser hair removal and a prescription cream that can slow hair growth on a woman’s face. When it comes to removing unwanted hair, you have options.

Why choose a board-certified dermatologist? A board-certified dermatologist is a doctor who has: Completed medical school and then three to four years of advanced medical training in treating diseases of the skin, hair, and nails Passed rigorous exams in dermatology Made a commitment to keep up

Treating light spots in brown or black skin While anyone can develop light spots on their skin, these spots tend to be more noticeable if you have brown or black skin. Areas of lighter (or darker) skin develop for many reasons. Here’s why you may see one or more lighter areas, and what you can do

Skin conditions that lasers can treat The future is bright for these cutting-edge treatments, including light therapy. When it comes to the use of laser technology in skin care, the future is now. Concepts that were once reserved for science fiction stories have catapulted skin care into a new age.

Must-try summer hair care Summer activities can do major damage to your hair. A few simple steps can keep your locks looking healthy all summer long. Though it is part of our routines to make sure to protect our skin before heading out for a fun, sun-filled summer day (and every day!), rarely do

Managing eczema in summertime Learn how to prevent and treat flare-ups while having warm-weather fun. Itchy, uncomfortable eczema can be an unpredictable condition. For some people, the dry, indoor air of winter causes flare-ups. But for others, it’s warmer weather — and the sweating, outdoor

How to select a dermatologist Tips when seeking care Before making an appointment with a dermatologist, it is important to consider their level of training. Board-certified dermatologists have at least eight years of medical training, if not more. They have proven their expertise by passing difficult

Hair loss types: Frontal fibrosing alopecia overview Frontal fibrosing alopecia What is frontal fibrosing alopecia?The medical name for hair loss is “alopecia.” Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a specific type of hair loss. It destroys the hair follicles (openings out of which hair grows), causing

9 ways to prevent face mask skin problems Wearing a mask can be hard on your skin Gentle skin care can prevent your mask from causing skin problems. Masks play a vital role in reducing the spread of the coronavirus. Masks can also be hard on your skin, causing problems that range from acne

Board-certified dermatologist Chris Adigun, MD, FAAD, recommends durable manicures like the one that you can get from dip powder nails for some of her patients. This hard-as-nails manicure can help a patient stop biting or picking at their nails. You literally cannot bite or pick off this nail color.

Melasma: The forehead is commonplace for melasma to appear. Melasma: Overview Melasma (muh-LAZ-muh) is a common skin problem. It causes brown to gray-brown patches on the face. Most people get it on their cheeks, bridge of their nose, forehead, chin, and above their upper lip. It also can appear on

What can make my hands look younger? If age spots, wrinkly skin, or other signs of aging bother you, you can have more youthful-looking hands. Thanks to advances in dermatology, it’s possible to diminish these signs of aging safely and with little or no downtime. Age spots Many adults develop age

How to fade dark spots in skin of color Have you tried treating dark spots on your own without getting the results you want? Do you see new dark spots appear as others fade? If you answered yes, you’re not alone. Darks spots and patches rank as one of the most common reasons that people with skin

Vitiligo: Overview Vitiligo: This skin disease often forms on both sides of the body as shown here on the knees. Vitiligo (vit-uh-lie-go) causes the skin to lose color. Patches of lighter skin appear. Some people develop a few patches. Others lose much more skin color. Vitiligo usually affects the skin,

Dermatologists understand people are concerned about getting “COVID arm” (also called “COVID vaccine arm”) – a rash that can develop on the arm where you got your COVID-19 shot. Seeing a large rash days after getting vaccinated can be scary, but it’s generally nothing to worry about. COVID

Keratosis pilaris: overview Keratosis pilaris: This harmless skin condition causes tiny, rough-feeling bumps on the skin. What is keratosis pilaris? Keratosis Pilaris_YouTube_FINAL.mp4 from Chicago Health SMB Brands on Vimeo. Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition, which appears as tiny bumps

As you bundle up from head to toe to stay warm in the winter cold, you may be tempted to set the sunscreen aside, but experts say sun protection shouldn’t be reserved for warmer months. "On a crisp winter morning run, remember that even if the sky looks clear, that also means there’s UV radiation

Try these hands-down best tips to care for your digits’ delicate skin You use them all day, every day, but are you giving your hands the TLC they need? Much like your face, your hands are exposed to the elements more than the other parts of your body. Plus, they’re always in motion: typing on a computer

As temperatures dip, check your products for these skin-saving ingredients Cold air outside, hot air inside, and dry air everywhere can disrupt the skin’s barrier in the winter. And that can mean dry, itchy skin for everyone, but especially for those who deal with conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Here

From general fatigue to possible Parkinson's disease, skin, hair, and nail conditions can be symptoms of a range of ailments Though skin is on the outside of your body, it can be a surprisingly clear window to what’s happening on the inside. "You can tell a lot about somebody by looking at their skin,"

When you see the letters “FAAD” after your dermatologist’s name, it stands for: Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (FAAD) The letters FAAD tells you that you’re seeing a dermatologist, a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating the skin, hair, and nails, who: Has

Tips for when to use these skin care powerhouses Retinoids and retinol can be found in products stocked up and down most skin care aisles, but do you really understand the difference and how to use each? Retinoids are not a fad While it may seem like the latest must-have ingredient of the moment, a type

Working out affects skin in good and not-so-good ways. Here is how to protect it while getting fit. Working out regularly can help maintain your weight, boost your overall mood and self-esteem, motivate you to eat healthier, and do wonders for your skin. However, not taking the right precautions while

From dandruff to fungal infections, your scalp could be in need of some TLC A dry, itchy scalp can prove distracting, painful and—when paired with scabbing or flaking—embarrassing. It may be tempting to take matters into your own hands by scratching or attempting to mask the issue with products,

When checking the body for signs of skin cancer, many people may only think to check their skin. However, it’s important to check the nails, too. Although rare, skin cancer, including melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer — can develop under and around the fingernails and toenails. While

Have you ever tried to make an appointment to get a medical test, arrange for a treatment, or fill a prescription from your dermatologist only to find out that you need prior authorization? When some patients hear these two words, they don’t know what to do next. The following explains what you need

Actinic keratosis: Diagnosis and treatment If you find a spot or growth on your skin that you think could be an actinic keratosis (AK), it’s time for a thorough skin exam. Should you have an AK, an accurate diagnosis and treatment can: Reduce your risk of developing skin cancer Get rid of an AK,

Neurodermatitis around the anklebone: Scratching an itchy patch around the ankle caused the neurodermatitis to appear. Neurodermatitis: Overview Neurodermatitis is a skin condition that begins with an itch.The itch can develop anywhere on the surface of the body. Most commonly, though, an itchy patch

Nummular dermatitis: This skin problem often causes coin-shaped rashes on the skin that can itch or burn. Nummular dermatitis: Overview Also called discoid eczema People who get this skin problem often see distinct, coin-shaped (nummular) or oval sores on their skin. Nummular dermatitis often appears