Acne can come in the form of plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. This sin condition affects most teenagers to some extent but is not restricted to any age group. When severe, acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring. Even less severe cases can sometimes lead to scarring as well.
Nearly everybody between the ages of 12 and 17 have at least an occasional form of acne regardless of race or ethnicity. Many people are able to manage their acne with over-the-counter (nonprescription) treatments. For some, however, acne is more serious. The appropriate treatment for acne depends on the severity. Options may include mild over-the-counter treatments, prescriptions, Accutane, or laser treatments.
Eczema (also known as Atopic Dermatitis) is a kind of dermatitis or inflamed skin. Early eczema can appear to be red, blistering, or oozing. Later eczema appears scaly, brownish, or thickened. In early and late stages of eczema it almost always itches.
This skin condition can occur at any age but is most common in infants to young adults. An itchy rash along with a family history may indicate the beginning of eczema. It can appear on the palms, backs of the hands and fingers, or on the feet, where crusting, oozing, thickened areas may last for years.
Rosacea is a chronic but treatable condition that primarily affects the central face. It can develop at any age, however surveys indicate it typically begins after the age of 30 as a flushing or redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that can come and go. Over time, this skin condition can become more persistent and visible blood vessels may occur. Left untreated, bumps and pimples may develop and in severe case, particularly in men, the nose may grow swollen and bumpy.
Although rosacea can affect all segments of the population, individuals with fair skin who tend to flush or blush easily are believed to be at greatest risk.
The cause of rosacea remains unknown and there is no cure, however its signs and symptoms can be controlled with medical therapy, lifestyle changes and cosmetic lasers. Common rosacea triggers include sun exposure, emotional stress, hot weather, wind, heavy exercise, alcohol, hot baths, spicy foods, and cold weather.
Primary Signs:
- Flushing
- Persistent redness
- Bumps and pimples
- Visible blood vessels
Psoriasis is a persistent skin condition that usually presents with inflamed, thick, red, shiny scales and patches most often on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. Psoriasis cannot be passed from person to person, however it is likely to be hereditary.
The cause of psoriasis is unknown, however studies point to an abnormality in white cells in the blood stream that trigger inflammation of the skin. Because of the inflammation, the skin sheds too rapidly, every 3 to 4 days.
Treatment of this skin condition is based on the patient's health, age, lifestyle and severity of the psoriasis. Often, medications are prescribed in a form of cream containing a cortisone-like compound, synthetic vitamin D, tar or anthralin used sometimes in combination with natural sunlight or ultraviolet light. If the condition is more severe it may require oral medications, with or without light treatment.
Actinic keratosis (AK), also known as solar keratosis, by far the most common precancer, is the result of prolonged exposure to sunlight. It is a small crusty or scaly bump or horn that arises on or beneath the skin surface. The base may be light or dark, tan, pink, red, a combination of these or the same color as your skin. The scale or crust is dry, rough and is often recognized by touch rather than sight. Occasionally it itches or produces a pricking or tender sensation. It can also become inflamed and surrounded by redness. In rare instances, actinic keratoses can bleed.
AKs are most likely to appear on the face, lips, ears, scalp, neck, backs of the hands and forearms, shoulders and back - the parts of the body most often exposed to sunshine. Treatment includes cryotherapy (freezing), topical chemotherapy (applying a cream or lotion), chemical peeling, laser curettage, photodynamic therapy (a chemical applied to the area prior to exposure to a light source), or other dermatologic surgical procedures.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of cancer appearing frequently on the head, neck and hands as a fleshy bump, nodule, or red patch. Basal cells line the deepest layer of the epidermis and can usually be diagnosed with a simple biopsy. When detected early they can be fairly easy to treat.
BCC's sometime resemble noncancerous skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. Only a trained physician can decide for sure. The five most typical characteristics of basal cell carcinoma are:
- An open sore that bleeds, oozes or crusts and remains open for a few weeks. A persistent, non-healing sore is a very common sign of an early basal cell carcinoma.
- A reddish patch or irritated area, frequently occurring on the chest, shoulders, arms or legs. Sometimes the patch crusts. It may also itch or hurt. At other times, it persists with no noticeable discomfort.
- A shiny bump or nodule that is pearly or translucent and is often pink, red or white. The bump can also be tan, black or brown, especially in dark-haired people, and can be confused with a mole.
- A pink growth with a slightly elevated rolled border and a crusted indentation in the center. As the growth slowly enlarges, tiny blood vessels may develop on the surface.
- A scar-like area which is white, yellow or waxy, and often has poorly defined borders. The skin itself appears shiny and taut. This warning sign can indicate the presence of small roots, which make the tumor larger than it appears on the surface.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer primarily found in fair-skinned people. It arises in the squamous cells that compose most of the upper layer of the skin. Most SCCs are not serious. While 96 to 97 percent of SCCs are localized, the small percentage of remaining cases can spread to distant organs and become life-threatening. The form of skin cancer can metastasize therefore it is important to get treatment early.
Most cases of squamous cell carcinoma are caused by chronic overexposure to the sun. Tumors appear most frequently on the sun-exposed face, neck, bald scalp, hands, shoulders, arms and back that appear as a bump, or as a red, scaly patch. The rim of the ear and the lower lip are especially vulnerable to these cancers.
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. However, if it's recognized and treated early, it is nearly 100 percent curable. But if it is not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal. Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates in melanocytes, the cells which produce the pigment melanin that colors our skin, hair, and eyes. The majority of melanomas are black or brown. However, some melanomas are skin-colored, pink, red, purple, blue or white.
Look for the ABCDEs of melanoma, and if you see one or more, make an appointment with a physician immediately.
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Asymmetry |
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Border |
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Color |
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Diameter |
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Evolving |
Mohs micrographic surgery is a method of excising skin cancers in layers. With the layers, the entire edge and undersurface is examined under a microscope for the incidence of cancer cells. In areas where further cancer is noted, additional layers of the skin are removed until a level free of tumor is reached. The extent and depth of the tumor determine the number of layers of surgery necessary to remove the cancer. Most tumors are removed in 1-3 surgical stages. The cure rate with Mohs is 97%-99% with good preservation of normal skin and minimal scarring; particularly when dealing with cancers on the face. It offers the highest potential for a cure for skin cancer while minimizing the cosmetic impact.
Mohs surgery is recommended for the following:
- Skin cancers of the head & neck where preservation of normal skin is important.
- When a skin cancer returns after a prior treatment.
- When the cancer is large
- When the cancer is considered to be more aggressive on the biopsy
** All information on skin cancer is derived from The Skin Cancer Foundation website
