With summer here we all want to look our best, but if you are struggling with persistent skin problems, seeing a local dermatologist might be your best option and, in some cases, save your life. Below are three of the most common skin problems and their treatments.
1. Acne Treatments
Acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting 40 million to 50 million Americans. Nearly 85 percent of all people will have acne at some point in their lives, most often on the face, chest, and back..By their mid-teens, more than 40% of teenagers have acne or acne scarring. Acne usually begins in puberty, but is not restricted to a certain age group. Adults in their 20s, 30s, 40s — even into their 50s — can struggle with acne. If you have tried several over-the-counter acne treatment products with no success, it might be time to consult a local dermatologist. Scientific research has led to many new therapies for acne and advanced many of the existing treatment options. Although it is tempting, to prevent scars, do not pop, squeeze, or pick at your acne.
2. Psoraisis Treatments
About 7.5 million Americans deal with itch and pain of psoriasis. Luckily there are a variety of options for treating psoriasis, it can be treated with topical creams, lotions, shampoos, pills or injections to affect the body’s immune response. There have been great results with phototherapy, a treatment which uses light. Another treatment for moderate to severe or disabling psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are biologic medications.
3. Detection and Treatment for Skin cancer
Over 3.5 million nonmelanoma skin cancers are diagnosed in 2 million Americans annually. Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. If you have greater than 50 moles, large moles or atypical moles, your risk of developing melanoma is substantially raised. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells. It is highly curable when detected early which makes regularly monitoring blemishes on your skin important. Once the melanoma progresses to an advanced stage it can spread to the lymph nodes and internal organs and can result in death. One of the best ways to protect your skin is by wearing sunscreen, but you should contact a local dermatologist if you see any suspicious growths.
