Have you ever noticed that your skin seems to itch more in the wintertime? Itching is just one of many symptoms that occur when the air is dry and hot water feels like a warm hug. In addition to this frustrating problem, the incredibly dry air outside and in our offices and homes causes chapped […]
Each year in our country, approximately 200,000 people are diagnosed with melasma. This dermatologic condition causes hyperpigmentation and nothing else. However, the appearance of discolored patches on the nose, cheeks, upper lip, and other areas can be quite distressing. Studies suggest that people (women, especially) with darker skin may be more prone to melasma. This […]
Poison ivy, along with its cousin’s poison oak and sumac, is a common plant that most people know they want to avoid. The rash, the blisters, and, oh! That itch! Need we say more? What we will say is that there are interesting details about poison ivy that may come as a surprise. If you’re […]
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes thick, red, scaly patches on the skin, and it’s caused by a malfunction of the autoimmune system. In addition to skin lesions, psoriasis can cause itching and even arthritis in about a third of patients. The disease affects about seven and a half million people in the […]
If you live in a climate such as San Antonio where you can find lots of toads, you’ve heard the wives’ tale. Pick up a toad, get a wart. Truth is, you can pick up a toad a day and never get a wart. Or you can get them anywhere on your body, but they […]
Many of my patients who come into the office concerned about acne breakouts, dark spots, rashes and even wrinkles, are surprised when we discuss the fact that the causes are likely external, not internal. They’re concerned that they may have an infection or hormonal issues when actually, they need to make a few changes when […]
There is probably no bigger temptation in life than squeezing or popping a bump on our skin. It’s practically irresistible, even though everyone from our mom to our dermatologist warns us about the dangers of pinching our zits – they can become infected, they can spread, they can scar. But nowhere is the “don’t squeeze” […]
If you’ve ever broken out in a case of hives, you know how irritating, itchy and painful they can be. Hives can be caused by stress, allergies, or an overload on certain vitamins. Along with red, itchy bumps, hives can be accompanied by swelling under the skin. Symptoms can be worse in some people than […]
Impetigo is a skin condition that usually affects the elderly and very young. It is easily spotted and can be treated with antibiotics. The first sign of impetigo is a clear bump filled with fluid on the outer layer of the skin. This will soon dry out to leave a circular, honey colored, crusty scab. […]
Why you should never self diagnose: Doctors go through a decade of education to help them understand human health, disease, and related conditions. So, why do you attempt to diagnose yourself based on information you’ve read on the Internet? And why do you avoid having regular checkups? Why checkups are important Even if you aren’t […]
