Rosacea is an inflammatory vascular condition that manifests as redness and/or swelling on the face. Rosacea can be itchy and can burn.

Rosacea is a common skin problem. Skin is sensitive and prone to inflammation commonly causing redness and more pronounced blood vessels of the central face, in addition to red bumps and pustules. Less commonly, the inflammation can affect the eye (ocular rosacea), or be so significant that it causes enlargement of facial features like the nose or chin. Patients can have permanent redness of the face, or be more prone to flushing, in which case the redness fluctuates.

There are four sub-types of rosacea, and it is not uncommon to experience more than one at a time:

• Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea causes facial flushing and redness, broken blood vessels, swelling and sensations of stinging and burning.
• Papulopustular rosacea appears as intermittent bumps, pimples, and red patches.
• Phymatous rosacea results in thickening of the skin, creating an enlarged, irregular, reddened look.
• Ocular rosacea occurs when rosacea affects the eyes, creating recurrent styes, bloodshot and watery eyes, swollen eyelids, burning and tearing.

Causes

The exact cause for rosacea is still unknown; however, genetics and immune dysfunction leading to hypersensitivity to certain triggers are thought to play a role.

Women are much more likely than men to be affected by rosacea, especially women between the ages of thirty and fifty. People with light skin are more likely to develop rosacea, as are those with a family history.

Additionally, there are many triggers for rosacea, including:

• Extreme temperatures, on their own transitioning quickly
• Sunlight exposure
• Food & drink including alcohol, spicy food, temperature hot food, caffeine
• Exercise
• Certain treatments for acne can flare underlying rosacea
• Emotional or situational stress

Symptoms

Rosacea has a variety of presentations but typically manifests with underlying inflammation and skin sensitivity. Skin can appear: flushed, swollen and have signs of increased dryness with rough or scaly textures. Rosacea can also share qualities with acne-like inflamed bumps and pustules. More prominent and an increased number of burst blood vessels is also a common finding. Skin can feel lie it is burning. Itching or stinging.

The increased inflammation associated with rosacea can make the skin thicker in places like the chin or nose. Rosacea can also present as inflammation on and around the eyes leading to more visible blood vessels, large cysts, and poor vision, along with the aforementioned symptoms of rosacea found on the rest of the face.

Treatment

Daily sun protection and gentle skincare are the basis of a common treatment plan for many patients with rosacea. Also, topical creams and oral medications may be prescribed. Lasers can target the associated redness, blood vessels, or enlargement of facial features.

There is no absolute way to prevent rosacea, but avoiding triggers and maintaining a good skincare routine outlined by a dermatologist can decrease flares.

About Rashes

What are they?

The term “rash” covers a wide range of skin conditions, usually referring to changes in the skin that manifest as bumps, blisters, or red patches. Most of these are harmless, but they can be indications of other skin problems or health issues. Common types of rashes include chronic skin problems, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, bacterial infections, fungal infections, and viral infections.

What causes them?

There are many reasons why you could develop a rash, and some of the most common factors include the following: stress, allergies, genetics, food or drink, various infections, certain medications, insect bites or stings, and sun or heat exposure. If you have a rash that does not disappear after 1-2 weeks, be sure to schedule an appointment to discuss your condition, receive a proper diagnosis, and learn more about your available treatment options.

Common treatments

Skin rash treatments vary widely depending on the type, causes, and symptoms. The skin rash experts at Innovative Dermatology have the knowledge and experience needed to examine you visually and determine exactly the type of rash you have. Once your rash have been identified, we’ll determine a proper treatment for your particular rash. Rash treatments offered at our center include moisturizing lotions and/or creams, topical anti-itch medications, oral antihistamines, topical anti-fungal medications, and light therapy.

Providers

Our approach & expertise

Skin rashes can be troublesome, as they not only itch but can also make you self-conscious about your appearance. As your neighborhood skin expert, Innovative Dermatology has the experience and knowledge necessary to help you manage this condition. Contact an office today if you notice a rash that isn’t being controlled easily so that we can address your particular skin issue

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that presents itself on the skin can be diagnosed and treated by one of our board-certified dermatologists.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. Psoriasis is not contagious. Psoriasis can also be associated with arthritis, and less commonly with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

There are five types of psoriasis. The type of psoriasis will determine the most appropriate treatment. The types are:

• Plaque psoriasis – the most common form of the disease, it appears as raised, red patches covered with silvery scale, which usually appear on the scalp, knees, elbows and lower back.
• Guttate psoriasis – appears as small, dot-like lesions, often starting in childhood or young adulthood. This type of psoriasis can be triggered by strep infection. Guttate is the second-most common type of psoriasis and affects about 10 percent of psoriasis sufferers.
• Inverse psoriasis – appears as very red lesions in body folds, typically behind the knees, under the arms or in the groin, and it may appear smooth and shiny, It often accompanies another type of psoriasis.
• Pustular psoriasis – appears as white pustules or blisters surrounded by red skin. The pustules contain white blood cells, but it is not an infection, nor is it contagious. It most commonly occurs on the hands or feet.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis – a severe form of psoriasis, it leads to redness over most of the body. It can cause severe itching and pain. This type of psoriasis can cause skin to peel off in sheets and patients can become very sick. It is rare, occurring only in 3 percent of psoriasis sufferers. It generally affects people who have unstable plaque psoriasis. 

Causes

Psoriasis is believed to be hereditary with at least 10 percent of the general population inheriting one of more of the genes that create a predisposition to psoriasis. However, only 2-3 percent of the population develops the disease. It is thought that both the predisposition to psoriasis plus exposure to specific external factors, known as “triggers,” causes the disease to appear.

Psoriasis triggers are not universal. What may cause one person’s psoriasis to become active, may not affect another.

Known psoriasis triggers include:

• Stress
• Skin injury
• Certain medications, such as lithium, antimalarials, Inderal, Quinidine, Indomethacin, beta-blockers
• Infection

Because of the hereditary component, people with a family history are at higher risk of developing psoriasis. In the United States, about 7.5 million people have psoriasis. Most people, about 80 percent, have plaque psoriasis.

Psoriasis can begin at any age, but most patients develop it between 15 and 30 years of age or between 50 and 60 years of age.

Treatment

Treating psoriasis can improve a patient’s quality of life by decreasing the appearance of plaques and the associated scaling and itch. There are many different ways to treat psoriasis. The extent of the skin involvement and the presence of arthritis will determine a patient’s appropriate therapy. It is important to keep in mind that individual patients can respond differently to certain therapies.

Treatment options for psoriasis include:

• Biologic Medications – medications that target specific components of the immune system. They are used for moderate to severe psoriasis in patients that have not responded to or cannot take other systemic treatments, or if there is joint involvement. They are given by subcutaneous (just below the surface of the skin) injection or intravenous (IV) infusion. There are risks and side effects associated with the use of biologics which will need to be discussed with your dermatologist.
• Systemic Medications – like biologic medications, systemic medications work by targeting the immune system. They are either oral or injectable prescription drugs that work throughout the body. They are usually used for individuals with moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Systemic medications are also used when a patient has failed or cannot use topical medications or UV light therapy.
• Ultraviolet B (UVB) Phototherapy – also referred to as light therapy. This treatment involves consistent exposure of the skin to ultraviolet light under medical supervision. Treatments are done in a doctor’s office or at home with a phototherapy unit.
• Excimer Laser Therapy – was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating chronic, localized plaque psoriasis. It emits a high-intensity beam of ultraviolet light B (UVB). The excimer laser can target select areas of the skin affected by mild to moderate psoriasis, and research indicates it is a particularly effective treatment for scalp psoriasis.
• Pulsed dye laser – is approved for treating chronic, localized plaque psoriasis. Using a dye and different wavelength of light than the excimer laser or other UVB-based treatments, pulsed dye lasers destroy the tiny blood vessels that contribute to the formation of psoriasis lesions.
• Topicals – come in many forms: creams, ointments, shampoo, etc. Topical medications are applied to the affected skin and are usually first-line treatment. They can be used in addition to systemic medications. Topicals can be purchased over the counter or by prescription and include substances such as corticosteriods, saliylic acid, coal tar, zinc pyrithione andcapsaicin.

Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. Though common, accurate information about acne can be scarce. 

Dr. Desai is an acne expert and has treated hundreds of patients with mild, moderate and severe acne. Acne is a term used to describe blocked pores, which can be blackheads and whiteheads. In addition to pimples, cysts and/or nodules can be present as well. Acne typically tends to appear on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms.

Acne is not a life-threatening condition, but it can cause physical scarring, emotional trauma, damage to surrounding areas of the skin, and other skin complications. This is exactly why Dr. Desai devotes a great deal of time in evaluating and treating his acne patients. There are numerous treatments available for acne and include topical medications, oral antibiotics, extractions, specialized skin care products, oral isotretinoin treatment (also often referred to as Accutane), and other cosmetic options.

Today, virtually every case of acne can be successfully treated. Our skin experts can help treat existing acne, prevent new breakouts and reduce your chance of developing scars. Dr. Desai and Innovative Dermatology will be happy to create a regimen suited for your skin type and acne severity.

Why treat acne?

Dermatologists know that letting acne runs its course is not always the best advice. Here’s why:

• Without treatment, dark spots and permanent scars can appear on the skin as acne clears.
• Treating acne often boosts a person’s self-esteem.
• Many effective treatments are available.

Signs of acne

Many people think that acne is just pimples. But a person who has acne can have any of these blemishes: 

• Blackheads
• Whiteheads
• Papules
• Pustules (what many people call pimples)
• Cysts
• Nodules

Who gets acne?

If you have a bad case of acne, you may feel that you are the only one. But many people have acne. It is the most common skin problem in the United States. About 40 to 50 million Americans have acne at any one time. Most people who have acne are teenagers or young adults, but acne can occur at any age. Newborn babies can get acne. Men and women get acne. Some women get acne well into 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and even 50’s.

What causes acne? 

Acne is caused by several factors: 

• Abnormal maturation of the skin
• Hormonal influences
• Bacteria
• Diet
• Oil overproduction

Acne appears when a pore in our skin clogs with dead skin cells. Normally, dead skin cells rise to the surface of the pore, and the body sheds the cells. When the body starts to make lots of sebum (oil), that normally keeps our skin from drying out, the dead skin cells can stick together inside the pore.

Hormonal fluctuations that happen during puberty, menstrual cycle or pregnancy man influence the sebum production.

Diet plays a role as well since a diet high in carbohydrates and dairy raises glycemic levels which in turn raises insulin levels. This contributes to higher male hormone and oil production. Higher male hormone production contributes to increased levels of sebum or oil production. Sebum makes the cells sticky, so the cells become trapped inside the pore.

Sometimes bacteria that live on our skin, p. acnes, also get inside the clogged pore. Inside the pore, the bacteria have a perfect sticky environment for multiplying very quickly. With loads of bacteria inside, the pore becomes inflamed (red and swollen). If the inflammation goes deep into the skin, an acne cyst or nodule appears.