Are you struggling with recurring acne breakouts? Here at Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville, MD, our team of five board-certified dermatologists treat adult acne, helping patients look and feel like themselves again. Read on to learn how we can help you manage your skin health, comfort, and appearance.

What exactly is acne?

Acne is a dermatological condition affecting 40 to 50 million Americans every year, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). While the majority of sufferers are adolescents, many acne patients are adults, as well.

Characterized by red papules and pustules, as well as whiteheads and blackheads, on the face, neck, shoulders and chest. acne begins in the sebaceous, or oil, glands and their associated hair follicles. Excess sebum gets trapped below the skin surface, causing the familiar acne pimples.

Unfortunately, acne is stubborn, unsightly, and can cause emotional distress. Fortunately, an expert skin exam at our Rockville office can lead to a customized skin care program that can get your acne under control.

Treating adult acne

Treatment involves normalizing skin appearance and limiting the number and severity of breakouts. Common interventions include:

• Benzoyl peroxide creams and ointments which reduce sebum production
• Vitamin A, or Tretinoin, which opens blocked hair follicles
• Hormone therapy (birth control pills)
• In-office extraction of large lesions
• Antibiotics if lesions are cystic and infected

Additionally, your skin doctor may recommend many at-home strategies to reduce the number of breakouts you experience. These interventions may include:

• Gently washing your face with your fingertips only twice a day and after working out
• Keeping your hair clean
• Never picking or squeezing acne pimples
• Reducing your intake of fatty/greasy foods
• Avoiding tanning (both sun exposure and tanning beds)
• Keeping your hands off your face, particularly when you have active lesions
• Reduce the amount of hair care products you use (they often contain a lot of oil)

Look and feel better

Phone Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville, MD, today for a friendly consultation and plan of action for your adult acne issues: (240) 246-7417

It's red, itchy and just won't go away. You're worried about your skin rash and what it may be. At Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville, MD skin rashes are our business. Our team of five board-certified dermatologists diagnose and treat all kinds of rashes, helping you feel better and be healthier overall.

What is a skin rash?

It's an area on your skin which is itchy, red, swollen, painful, discolored or exhibiting other odd symptoms. It may develop suddenly or be delayed in presenting itself. Rashes start after ingesting something, touching an irritant or being bitten or stung by an insect, spider or snake. People with allergies often develop skin rashes, and infections, both localized and systemic, may cause a rash.

What kinds of skin rashes are there?

There are numerous. Familiar to most people are acne, atopic dermatitis, or eczema, ringworm ( a fungal infection) and shingles, a viral infection caused by Varicella zoster, the chicken pox virus. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says that most rashes, though uncomfortable and unsightly, are not dangerous.

Other skin rashes, however, do signal a potentially serious problem. That's why your dermatologists at Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville, MD, want you to see a doctor immediately if:

• Your rash is widespread
• You have a fever along with your rash
• Your symptoms spread quickly (this could be an anaphylactic reaction to an allergen)
• You have blisters or sores, particularly if they are very painful
• The rash looks green or crusty or develops red streaks (these symptoms signal infection)

Treating skin rashes

Your Rockville dermatologists will inspect your rash closely and ask you about pain, itchiness and when your rash developed. Your treatment plan will aim at symptom relief and curing any underlying bacterial or viral infection.

Common medications for skin rashes include antibiotic ointments, steroidal creams and antihistamines. For heat-related rashes, your doctor may recommend avoiding hot environments, staying well hydrated and wearing loose, well-ventilated clothing.

Find out more about skin rashes

Your skin is your largest bodily organ. If it's affected by an itchy, painful rash, you need relief fast. For help in keeping your skin at its healthiest, contact the professional team at Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville, MD, for a one-on-one consultation. Phone us for an appointment: (240) 246-7417.

Don’t want to wait for your wart to go away by itself? Learn about your wart removal options.

Warts are benign growths that can develop anywhere on the body or face. Although harmless, you may be unhappy with the way that your warts look and wish to have them removed. Fortunately, Dr. Josef K. Yeager and Dr. John J. DiGiovannaour, your dermatologists in Rockville, MD, are here to help!

Treating Warts from Home

Coming in a variety of forms such as a liquid or medicinal pad, commercial wart removal options can be found at your local drugstore. Many of these products contain salicylic acid, a chemical causes the skin to peel away until the wart is completely gone. Although generally effective, these products can take quite a while to take effect—even up to several years! Therefore, you may wish to turn to a skin doctor in Rockville, MD, to remove the wart, instead.

Seeing a Doctor

If you have diabetes or a compromised immune system and develop warts, you should see a dermatologist right away for treatment. Ignoring the problem or trying to treat warts on your own could lead to serious complications.

Here at our Rockville office, our wart removal treatments include:

• Topical Application: By applying Cantharidin over the wart, this special solution causes the wart to blister. After a week, you may need to come back into the office so our dermatologist can remove the dead wart.
• Cryotherapy: Freezing a wart is still the most common wart removal option and, while effective, it may require more than one treatment.
• Excision: A simple procedure in which the wart is cut away from the skin
• Electrosurgery and Curettage: This procedure uses heat to remove the wart with a special instrument.

If a wart doesn’t respond to these treatments then laser therapy, injections, or immunotherapy may be necessary.

Contact Us

Do you have questions about wart removal treatment? If so, call Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville, MD, today at (240) 246-7417 to schedule a consultation with one of our dermatologists today.

Skin cancer is the most prevalent malignancy in the United States. Fortunately, it's highly treatable when detected early. At Shady Grove Dermatology, five board-certified dermatologists and their team arm patients with pertinent information about skin cancer. It's just part of the outstanding comprehensive care this Rockville medical practice offers.

FAQs about skin cancer

How common is skin cancer in Rockville and across the United States?

A full 20 percent of American adults will develop some type of skin cancer in their lifetimes, says the Skin Cancer Foundation.

What is the most common skin cancer?

Basal cell carcinoma is the most frequently occurring skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma ranks second. Both affect the epidermis, or top layer, of the skin.

Why is application of sun screen important?

Sun screen lotions provide excellent protection against the harmful UV rays of the sun. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF 15 or higher used liberally on exposed areas of the skin, particularly during the peak sun exposure between 10 am to 4 pm. Ultraviolet radiation is a key player in skin cancer and aging.

What are skin self-examinations?

They are monthly visual inspections of your entire skin surface. Done in the privacy of your own home, self-exams look at any and all spots, freckles, and moles. You look for changes in their shape, size, borders, texture, and color. In general, your dermatologist should check any sore which does not heal in two weeks and continues to itch, bleed, or ooze. So, if something seems suspicious, get to Shady Grove Dermatology right away for expert diagnosis.

What is a biopsy?

Your physician takes a tissue sample from a suspect lesion in order to examine it for cancer cells. A biopsy also tells the doctor how advanced the disease is.

How is skin cancer treated?

Much depends on the type, location, and stage of the cancer. Surgical excision at the doctor's office is common. Cryosurgery (freezing), radiation, and drug therapies prove effective, and innovative MOHS surgery, performed at Shady Grove Dermatology, removes and analyzes lesions layer by layer, removing spots completely and sparing healthy tissue.

What's so bad about indoor tanning?

Indoor tanning exposes the skin to intense ultra-violet light, a definite cancer-causing agent, reports the US Department of Health and Human Services. The Skin Cancer Foundation states that annually, almost half a million new cases of skin cancer in the US are attributable to indoor tanning.

Learn all you can

Education about skin cancer empowers you to live a long, healthy life. Your dermatologists at Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville, MD, excel in skin cancer care, as well as scores of other medical and aesthetic services. Call today for your skin examination at (240) 246-7417.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, affecting millions. There is a 99 percent survival rate when skin cancer is found in its earliest stages. Regular self-skin exams and annual skin exams by a doctor help people find early skin cancers. Shady Grove Dermatology, which is located in Rockville, MD, offers skin cancer screening and diagnostic services to their patients.

Basal cell carcinoma- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a cancer that grows on parts of your skin that get a lot of sun. The tumors start off as small "pearly" bumps, that look like flesh-colored moles or pimples that don't go away. Sometimes these growths can look dark. But you can get them on any part of your body, including your arms, trunk, or legs. BCC is the least dangerous type of skin cancer. As long as it is found early, you can be cured.

Squamous cell carcinoma- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is usually found on areas of the body damaged by UV rays from tanning beds or the sun. Sun-exposed skin includes the neck, head, chest, back, lips, ears, hands, arms, and legs. SCC tends to grow slowly. Unlike other types of skin cancer, it can spread to the bones, tissues, and lymph nodes, where it may become difficult to treat. When found early, it's easy to treat.

Melanoma- Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Melanomas can occur anywhere on the body. Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the color, size, shape, or feel of a mole. Most melanomas have a black-blue or black area. Melanoma may also appear as a new mole. Early diagnosis and treatment can increase the survival rate from malignant melanoma.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma- Merkel Cell Carcinoma is a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer that begins in Merkel cells that, along with nerve endings, give the skin its sense of touch. MCC is ore common in areas of the skin exposed to the sun, such as the scalp or face. The first sign of MCC is usually a painless tumor on your skin. The nodule may be skin-colored or may appear in shades of blue, red, or purple. MCC may metastasize to the bones, brain, lungs, or liver.

Kaposi Sarcoma- Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is caused by Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes virus. KS is mostly seen in individuals with an HIV infection. It can also affect individuals with a weakened immune system. KS usually appears as lesions or tumors on the skin. They aren't itchy or painful, and they don't drain. Tumors may also develop in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, or mouth.

Ready to take control of your health? You have the power to manage your health. If you need a mole check, call Shady Grove Dermatology at (240) 246-7417 right now to schedule your annual skin cancer screening in Rockville, MD. A simple skin cancer screening could save your life!