Warts are small, granular growths on the skin. Typically, they occur on the fingers and hands. They may also have an appearance of tiny black dots, which are due to clotted blood vessels. Warts are caused by a virus and can be transmitted through contact. If you have contact with the virus, it can take up to six months for a wart to appear. Warts are usually harmless can often resolve without treatment. The team of dermatologists at Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville is dedicated to providing each of their patients with high-quality health care for all their individual needs, including treatment for warts.

Symptoms of Warts

Rockville residents may notice the following symptoms:

• Small grainy bumps on the skin
• Lumps may be tan, pink, or white
• Lumps feel rough to the touch
• Lumps may contain tiny black dots

How to Avoid Warts

Although common warts cannot be entirely prevented, you can reduce your risk of contracting the virus by:

• Avoiding biting your cuticles and nails.
• Not sharing, razors, washcloths, or towels.
• Not touching another person’s warts.
• Keeping your feet dry.
• Wearing sandals or flip-flops around a pool or in a public locker room.

Treating Warts

You can treat warts at home with over-the-counter wart peeling medication. If you have tried treating warts at home but they persist or reappear, or they become painful, you should consult a dermatologist. You should also seek medical advice if your warts change appearance, size, or color.

Your dermatologist can treat your warts with stronger topical wart medication or using cryotherapy or laser treatment.

If you are a Shady Grove resident and you would like to find out more about wart treatment or you are looking for a dermatologist, call Shady Grove Dermatology at 240-246-7417 to schedule an appointment.

Although acne commonly affects adolescents, pimples can affect anyone at any age. They can be particularly embarrassing when they pop up during adulthood. The team of dermatologists at Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville, MD, can help you with your adult acne. Here are some tips for avoiding acne.

Reducing Your Risk of Acne

Rockville residents can keep their skin clear of pimples in the following ways:

• Cleanse your face: Washing your face twice daily with a benzoyl peroxide cleanser will kill acne-causing bacteria.
• Eat a healthy diet: Many medical experts agree that reducing your consumption of carbohydrates and sugars can help reduce acne. Keeping a food diary will help you figure out if certain foods trigger an outbreak.
• Wash your face after a workout: Sweaty skin can contain bacteria. Showering and washing your face as soon as you can after a workout will reduce this.
• Check your moisturizer: You should use a moisturizer specifically designed for your face on your facial skin rather than using body lotion. Choose moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid or glycerine, which help your skin to retain moisture. Talk to your Rockville acne expert to find products that work for you.
• Check your makeup: If you’re prone to acne, you should use oil-free, water-based makeup.
• Don’t touch your face: Every time you do, you are transferring oil, dirt, and bacteria from your hands to your face, which can increase your risk of a breakout.
• Watch out when you shave: If you’re prone to acne and you shave your face, it’s best to use an electric razor. Shave in the natural direction of your hair growth.
• Don’t pop pimples: Tempting as it may be, it will only make the situation worse, and it can leave you with ugly scars.

If you live in Rockville, MD, and you suffer from adult acne, call Shady Grove Dermatology at 240-246-7417 to schedule a consultation.

You may have moles that differ in appearance throughout your body but they are generally nothing to worry about. However, there are occasions where a mole might be a sign that you are at risk for developing skin cancer, or already have skin cancer and not even know it.

In this light, if you spot a suspicious mole or growth anywhere on your body, you can visit us here at Shady Grove Dermatology, LLC in Rockville MD so one of our dermatologists can determine whether or not you should be worried.

Are You at Risk for Developing Skin Cancer?

Most Rockville moles, as mentioned above, are often benign or noncancerous. That being said, they could likewise be warning signs of the most serious type, yet the least common, form of skin cancer—melanoma. Risk factors typically involve:

• 35 to 75 years of age
• Blonde or red hair
• Light skin
• Light-colored eyes
• Severe sun damage
• Skin cancer in the family
• Consistent use of tanning beds

What Your Moles Can Tell You

A thorough skin examination by your Rockville moles dermatologist is the most surefire way to determine whether or not you have skin cancer. The reason for this is that it could be difficult to detect the signs of skin cancer, as they’re usually subtle during its earliest stages. The following are signs you should look out for:

• Any changes and differences in your moles. Melanoma may commonly appear like normal moles. But they could be distinguished and identified by certain characteristics with the use of the “ABCDE” method, as recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation:
• Asymmetry: The halves of the mole or lesion are unequal.
• Border: The borders or edges of the mole are unclear and irregular in shape. Benign moles, on the other hand, have smoother and more even edges.
• Color: Melanoma may have various shades of brown, black, or tan. As it develops, colors like white, blue, or red may likewise surface.
• Diameter: A normal mole’s diameter should not exceed six millimeters.
• Evolving: Changes in a mole or moles and unusual patches of skin that suddenly appear should be professionally checked out.
• Changes in your fingernails or toenails. Skin cancer could also develop in those areas. They may look like dark spots or marks under your nails.
• Prevalent pimples or sores. Skin cancer can occasionally appear like a red or pink bump similar to a pimple, although this bump does not go away. Other skin cancers can cause or look like ulcers and sores that don’t seem to heal.
• Scaly patches. Likewise known as actinic keratosis, this kind of patches is a common skin cancer warning sign.
• Persistent itchiness, tenderness, or pain. Do not ignore these sensations, most especially if the area of the surrounding skin changes in appearance.
• The difference in the surface of the mole, which could include scaliness, bleeding, or the emergence of a bump or lump.

For Concerns or Questions About Suspicious Moles, Reach Out to Us

Dial (240) 246-7417 to arrange a skin exam with one of our dermatologists here at Shady Grove Dermatology, LLC in Rockville MD.

Skin cancer affects more millions of Americans every year and people who have had skin cancer have a higher risk of developing new skin cancer, which is why regular self-examination and visiting your Rockville dermatologist at Shady Grove Dermatology is imperative.

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells and consist of three different types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

• Basal Cell Carcinoma: This is the most common form of skin cancer and is found in the deepest layer of the epidermis when a person is overexposed to UVB radiation. This type of skin cancer damages the body's natural repair system and metastasize (spread) slowly. Symptoms include: raised pink or pearly white bump with visible blood vessels, pigmented bumps that look like moles, sores that won't heal, and flat scaly scar with a waxy appearance. People at risk have fair skin, usually more sun exposure, older than 50, and are exposed to ultraviolet radiation (tanning beds). Diagnosis requires a biopsy and treatment methods include: Cryosurgery, Curettage and Desiccation, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Prescription Medicated Creams, Radiation Therapy and Surgical Excision.
   
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This is found in the upper layer of the epidermis and looks like fish scales under a microscope. Squamous cell carcinoma develops on the scalp, face, ears and hands, but can also be found in the mouth or on genitalia. People at higher risk are usually fair-skinned, middle-aged and elderly people who have been exposed to the sun. You need a biopsy to test the dry scaly lesions to confirm it's cancer and treatment options are the same as the treatment options for basal cell carcinoma.
   
• Melanoma: This is the least common type of skin cancer, but the most virulent in the bottom layer of the epidermis and affects younger people in their 20's. Melanoma appears as dark brown or black spots on the skin that spread rapidly to internal organs because of overexposure to the sun and family history. A biopsy confirms the illness and treatments include surgical removal, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Preventative Measures

As previously mentioned, you need to visit your Rockville dermatologist on a regular basis and complete a skin self-examination. Look for the following:

• Large brown spots with darker speckles
• Dark lesions
• Translucent pearly and dome-shaped growths
• Moles that grow, itch or bleed
• Brown or black streaks under the nails
• Sores that don't heal
• Clusters of pink or red slow-growing scaly lesions

Skin cancer prevention also includes avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m; covering arms and legs with clothing; wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and using sunscreens year-round with an SPF of 15 or greater.

Need to contact your dermatologist?

If you are concerned about your risk for skin cancer, you should contact Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville, MD, at (240) 246-7417 to schedule your next appointment.

Treating Your Rash

Rashes are one of the most common things that you may have to deal with. Rashes can be very uncomfortable and itchy, and sometimes hard to get rid of. At Shady Grove Dermatology, LLC our priority is to provide quality care to our informed patients by our team of dedicated dermatologists. If you are dealing with a rash and live in or near Rockville, MD, consider visiting our office, Shady Grove Dermatology, LLC. Read on to learn more about rashes and how to treat them.

What Is A Skin Rash?

A rash is an area of irritated or swollen skin, most rashes are itchy, red, painful, and irritated. Some clear symptoms of a rash developing include heating up, redness, small bumps appearing, and itchiness of the area. Rashes can occur if you have had contact with a skin irritant, something like a chemical, poison ivy, or something that they may be allergic to. Generally, skin rashes come and go, and they can be harmless, although if you develop other symptoms it may be important to have it looked at by a professional dermatologist.

• Fever or pain along with the rash
• Sudden bruise-like lesions appear
• Skin rash continues to develop and becomes widespread

If you see any of these symptoms develop or if your rash is just not going away, it is time to talk to a trained dermatologist.

Some Common Rash Treatments

A few of the common rash treatments are:

• Anti-itch creams
• Oral antihistamines (for rashes caused by an allergic reaction)
• Moisturizing lotions
• Topical antifungal medications (for rashes caused by fungal infections)

Learn More About How We Can Help You

Although sometimes a simple skin rash may just be due to a simple allergy or irritant touching your skin, it is important to watch the rash and make sure that if you develop any further symptoms that you get help from a trained dermatologist. If you live in or around Rockville, MD, Shady Grove Dermatology, LLC has a staff of excellent dermatologists that are here to make sure that they can provide you with all the information you need to help treat your rash. Due to the COVID-19 virus, we have limited our office hours for emergencies only, however, we are providing tele-dermatology. Call our office in Rockville at (240) 246-7417 to set up a tele-appointment today.