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.
Benign (Non-Cancerous) Growths Many non-cancerous growths such
as actinic keratoses, seborrheic keratoses, cysts, warts, and moles can be removed
by using advanced dermatologic surgery techniques.
Actinic Keratoses 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.
Seborrheic Keratoses 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.
Cysts 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.
Warts 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!