Category Archives: Dermatology

Got an itch? Your doctor should be asking some of the following questions. . .

If you are itching, there is more to the story.  There are other parts to the history and physical to investigate. Any new cosmetics or creams? They can cause allergic contact dermatitis, hives or even sensitivity to the sun. New … Continue reading

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Frogs do not cause warts.

I see warts commonly, today in fact. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 100 types of HPV.  HPV infects the skin where there are nicks in the skin and causes cells to proliferate and … Continue reading

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What to do about unwanted hair?

A patient of mine recently asked me to blog about female unwanted facial hair.   She has more facial hair than she desires and works with children (who frequently are inquisitive and vocal).  This is not a singular problem, most of post-pubertal persons in … Continue reading

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Risks to consider when getting a tattoo. . .

Three risks to consider when getting a tattoo.   Purchase, possession and overt health risks. Purchase risks include expense and pain.  Adolescents are especially at risk for impulsively obtaining a tattoo and may overpay, choose a tattoo parlor that is unsafe/unclean, or have … Continue reading

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Considering a tattoo?

Here’s a riddle: What is expensive and painful to get; even more expensive and painful to get rid of; a common source of infection and allergies; and something that you will probably want to have removed some day? Answer: a … Continue reading

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MRSA. Do you have it? How to avoid it? How to treat it!

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to incise and drain this spectacularly large,  red abscess.  Culture is not back yet, but I suspect (and treated for) MRSA, methicillin-resistant staph aureus.  Here are the nuts and bolts about diagnosis and treatment of MRSA. 1/3 … Continue reading

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Embarrassed about your pale pasty skin? Get over it.

Wanting a rich, deep tan?  Frequenting a tanning salon?. . . Please don’t.  May has been designated Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month.  So, let’s celebrate our natural skin color, whatever color it is. American Academy of Dermatology did an … Continue reading

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What to do about molluscum?

I had a conscientious mom “up in arms” about her daughter having two molluscum lesions on her neck. I calmed her a bit and then discussed the treatment options with her. . . Molluscum is a poxvirus causing a chronic localized … Continue reading

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Study: Half of Men Had Genital HPV Infection : Family Practice News

Few men have penile warts or are aware that 50% of them (regardless of age) have Human Papillomavirus (HPV).   Let’s talk up abstinence, safe sex, HPV vaccine, condoms . . . and pap testing for women. Study: Half of Men Had Genital HPV … Continue reading

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Do you need the chicken pox vaccine?

Chicken pox is a hot topic.  What once was a rite of passage has become a much maligned and feared rash.  Should you be vaccinated?  Are you already immune?  Here’s more info. . . Varicella zoster (the chicken pox virus) is … Continue reading

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