Although skin benefits from maintaining good nutrition,
circulation, and external care, there are situations where your skin may have a
disorder that good skin care can't prevent. Many skin disorders are caused by
underlying medical disorders and diseases, including diabetes, liver disease,
heart disease, lupus, blood vessel diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, stress,
and obesity.
Your skin is the largest organ on your body, made up of water, protein,
lipids, and different minerals and chemicals. Its job is to protect you from
infections and other environmental assaults. The skin also contains nerves that
sense cold, heat, pain, pressure, and touch.
Your skin renews itself approximately once a month. Proper skin care is
essential to maintaining the health and vitality of this protective organ. As
the skin is the largest organ in the body, any disease that affects the body is
very likely to have symptoms showing on the skin. In fact, there are more that
1200 defined and distinct diseases involving the skin – more than there are for
any other organ in the body.
Many non-cancerous growths such
as actinic keratoses, seborrheic keratoses, cysts, warts, and moles can be
removed by using advanced dermatologic surgery techniques.
are rough, reddish, pre-cancerous lesions
that appear on sun-exposed areas of the body. They may be treated with
cryosurgery (liquid nitrogen), curettage (scraping), dermabrasion, laser,
topical prescription creams (Efudex, Carac, Solaraze, Aldara), or photodynamic
therapy with Levulan/BLU-U light or the Palomar StarLux Intense Pulsed Light.
are warty, raised tan or brown growths
with a thick, rough surface and a stuck-on appearance that often become itchy
and irritated by clothing. Patients often confuse them with moles, but they are
not related. They may be removed by curettage (scraping), cryosurgery (liquid
nitrogen), or shave excision.
are small closed sacs that contain fluid or solid
material. They may be surgically removed to avoid problems such as inflammation
and infection, or to improve cosmetic appearance.
are growths consisting of thick layers of skin that are
caused by a virus. People of all ages may develop warts anywhere on the skin.
Warts may be removed by cryosurgery, curettage, electrosurgery, injections with
chemicals, or laser surgery. Topical (over the counter and prescription)
treatments are also available.
If you’re experiencing a skin disorder or are having discomfort from one of the
disorders mentioned above, or any other, call MIMA Dermatology for an
appointment to discuss a treatment plan that can help you live a happier life.
Click here to find a
MIMA Dermatology location nearest you!