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.

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.