Contact dermatitis can be due to contact with either allergens or irritants. Both types of contact dermatitis can cause the skin to become red and itchy. Many chemical substances can cause these skin reactions such as costume jewelry or fragrances in cosmetic products. The allergens responsible for allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) can be tested for using specialized allergens and the procedure is called patch testing.

Patch testing requires three visits in one week.

On the 1st visit allergens are placed on the back using specialized chambers which are affixed to the skin with tape. On the 2nd visit, the allergens are removed and the test sites are evaluated. On the 3rd and final visit, the test sites are re-evaluated and the patient is educated about the results.

Acne Rosacea is a common inflammatory disease of the face – particularly affecting the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. In its early stages it most often causes red pimples and pus-filled cysts similar to those seen in ordinary teenage acne. Rosacea is a long-term disorder and usually lasts for at least several years. Typically, flare-ups alternate with periods of less activity. Over a period of time, it gradually “scars” the skin by producing permanent redness of the face, particularly the cheeks and nose. The exact cause of Acne Rosacea is not known, but it is thought to be similar in some respects to teenage acne. It is definitely known not to be contagious. The skin disease may, in rare cases, be associated with an inflammation of the eyelids known as blepharitis.

Repeated, prolonged sun exposure causes skin damage, especially in fair-skinned persons. Sun-damaged skin becomes dry and wrinkled and may form rough, scaly spots called Actinic Keratoses. These rough spots remain on the skin even though the crust or scale is picked off. Treatment of an Actinic Keratosis requires removal of the defective skin cells. New skin then forms from the deeper skin cells, which have escaped sun damage.

Hand Dermatitis, also known as hand eczema, is extremely common. Because the hands perform so many different tasks day-to-day, they are routinely exposed to irritating agents. Hand rashes usually result from a combination of sensitive skin and irritation or allergy from materials touched.

Patients with hand dermatitis often suffer from dermatitis elsewhere on the body or have a family history of hand dermatitis. The condition can be effectively treated when the right precautions are followed.

Herpes Simplex, commonly called cold sores or fever blisters, may occur once or return again and again. It’s caused by the herpes hominis virus.

Herpes Simplex begins as a group of small red bumps that blisters. You may have noticed itching or discomfort before the rash appeared. The blisters begin to dry up after a few days and form yellow crusts. The crusts gradually fall off and leave slowly fading red areas. The whole process takes about 10 – 14 days.

Shingles (Herpes Zoster) is a nerve infection caused by the chicken pox virus. Shingles results from activation of a chicken pox virus that has remained in your body since you had chicken pox – perhaps many years ago. The virus activation is limited to a nerve root. That accounts for the pattern of the rash, which always stops at the body’s midline. The nerve involvement explains the stinging, burning, or pain common in shingles. Some patients have discomfort before the rash appears.

The rash of Shingles begins as red patches that soon develop blisters. The blisters may remain small or can become large. They heal in 2 – 4 weeks. They may leave some scars

Hives are itchy, red welts or small bumps that last from 15 minutes to several hours. They usually appear suddenly and leave no trace when they disappear. Crops of Hives may appear several times a day. They may come and go for days or weeks, sometimes longer. Hives are harmless except when they cause throat swelling, which is rare but requires immediate treatment. Angioedema is a hive-like swelling of the lips, eyes, or other tissue. Angioedema may take 24 hours or more to go away.

Psoriasis is an age-old problem that affects 2-3% of the world’s population. Of those affected, as many as 25% can develop associated arthritis. Psoriasis can begin at age 1 or age 100. It is an auto immune disease caused when the body’s immune system that is designed to protect you from infection goes awry. It is partially related to genetics and partially related to external factors or “triggers”. Psoriasis triggers are not universal. What may cause one person’s psoriasis to become active, may not affect another. Established psoriasis triggers include: stress, skin injury, some medications, strep infections and perhaps allergies, diet or weather.

Scars form as part of the skin’s healing process whenever multiple layers of skin are injured. The injury may be the result of an accident, surgery, a burn or even severe acne.

While the exact cause of stretch marks is unknown, it is thought that they are the result of your skin’s collagen and elastin breaking down under stress. Pregnancy, body building and weight loss are the leading causes of stretch marks. Stretch marks occur most frequently in areas of mechanical stress such as the breasts, abdomen, thighs, groin or buttocks. In the beginning, stretch marks are red. They turn white as part of the healing process.

Seborrheic Keratoses are harmless, common skin growths that first appear during adult life. As time goes by, more growths appear. Some persons have a very large number of them. Seborrheic Keratoses appear on both covered and uncovered parts of the body; they are not caused by sunlight. The tendency to develop Seborrheic Keratoses is inherited. Seborrheic Keratoses are harmless and never become malignant.

They begin as slightly raised, light brown spots. Gradually they thicken and take on a rough, warty surface. They slowly darken and may turn black.

Over a million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. Anyone can get skin cancer. Your risk of developing skin cancer is increased if your parent, child or sibling has had any form of skin cancer – particularly melanoma.

Most moles develop sometime after birth, but some people are born with moles. Very large moles that have been present since birth do have an increased risk of transforming into melanoma over time. The development of a new mole or any changes in the size, color, shape or texture of a mole may be a sign of skin cancer, and should be reported to a doctor right away. Melanomas can develop anywhere on the body, even in places that are not exposed to the sun, such as the soles of your feet or even your nails.

Skin tags, also known as cutaneous tags, are benign skin growths that are typically small; however some may grow up to a half-inch long. They are skin-colored and can at times be darker. Many patients find them to be cosmetically displeasing and at times irritating if they rub on clothes or other materials. There are many methods for their removal including excision, cryotherapy (freezing), or cautery (electrical burn). Some patients are prone to skin tags and may have to have them periodically removed at quarterly or annual intervals.

Tinea Versicolor is a harmless rash caused by yeast (pityrosporum orbiculare) which grows normally on the skin. In some people a more active growth occurs, usually in hot humid weather. It causes slightly scaly patches on the back, chest, shoulders, and upper arms. These patches may appear brown, red, or white and may or may not be itchy. White patches occur because the rash area will not tan. However, the failure to tan is temporary and skin will tan normally after the rash clears up. Because the organism which causes Tinea Versicolor is a normal inhabitant of the skin, it is common to get recurrences after adequate treatment. The condition is not contagious.