Psoriasis doesn’t just impact someone’s appearance but it can also affect someone’s quality of life. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that leads to itching, burning patches of skin known as plaques. These plaques can be embarrassing for the sufferer and have a serious impact on their life. If you have psoriasis that is causing you to avoid social situations or you are noticing symptoms of psoriasis it’s important that you have a dermatologist that you can turn to. A dermatologist can both diagnose and treat your skin condition.

Since symptoms of psoriasis can also resemble other skin problems it’s always a good idea to see a skin doctor to find out what’s causing your symptoms. Symptoms of psoriasis include:

• Red, inflamed, and sometimes-scaly patches of skin
• Dry skin that may crack or bleed
• Tenderness, itching, or burning around the plaques

Plaques may be raised, dry, or contain white scaly skin. While plaques can develop anywhere on the body they are more prevalent on the knees, elbows, back, and scalp.

Certain things can trigger flare-ups including:

• Injury to the skin
• Infections
• Stress
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Cold weather
• Certain medications (e.g. beta-blockers; lithium)

Avoiding these triggers can be an effective way to reduce the amount of flare-ups a patient experiences.

Treating Psoriasis

Treatment for psoriasis includes a variety of home remedies, lifestyle modifications and medications. At-home care is focused on alleviating the itchy and burning associated with the formation of plaques. Mild to moderate itching may be relieved through:

• Moisturizing the skin daily
• Taking cold showers
• Apply ice packs to the skin
• Using skincare products containing lactic acid or urea, which can remove scaly skin

Finding the right medication and treatment plan takes time and having a dermatologist that you trust is crucial. Common medications and therapies for treating psoriasis include:

• Antihistamines
• Topical anesthetics
• Steroids
• Certain antidepressants
• Phototherapy

Despite the fact that there isn’t yet a cure for psoriasis, a dermatologist can certainly provide you with the treatment plan you need to get flare-ups under control.

If you are dealing with psoriasis it’s important that you have a dermatologist that you can turn to for care, treatment and support. Together you and your dermatologist can create a treatment plan to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Fortunately, it rarely develops without warning, and the number of fatalities caused by melanoma could be greatly reduced if people were aware of the early signs and took time to examine their skin. With early diagnosis and treatment, your chance of recovery from melanoma is very good.   

What Causes Melanoma?

The main cause of melanoma is too much skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV rays from the sun and tanning booths can damage skin cells, causing the cells to grow abnormally. The best way to prevent melanoma is to reduce the amount of time you spend in the sun, wearing hats and protective clothing when possible and generously applying sunscreen.

Melanoma can occur anywhere on the body, including the soles of your feet or your fingernails. In women, melanoma is most often seen on the lower legs, and in men, it most commonly forms on the upper back.

Anyone can get melanoma, but people with the following traits are at a higher risk:

• Fair skin
• Excessive sun exposure during childhood
• Family history of melanoma
• More than 50 moles on the skin
• Several freckles
• Sun-sensitive skin that rarely tans or burns easily

Melanoma can appear suddenly as a new mole, or it can grow slowly, near or in an existing mole. The most common early signs of melanoma are:

• An open sore that repeatedly heals and re-opens
• A mole or growth that takes on an uneven shape, grows larger or changes in color or texture
• An existing mole that continues to bleed, itch, hurt, scab or fade

Because melanoma can spread quickly to other parts of the body, it is important to find melanoma as early as possible. The best way to detect changes in your moles and skin markings is by doing self-examinations regularly. If you find suspicious moles, have them checked by your dermatologist.

Visiting your dermatologist for a routine exam is also important. During this skin cancer "screening," your dermatologist will discuss your medical history and inspect your skin from head to toe, recording the location, size and color of any moles. Melanoma may be the most serious form of skin cancer, but it is also very curable when detected early.

Acne is the most common of all skin disorders, affecting almost everyone at some point in their lives. While most people outgrow acne in their late teens or early twenties, many are affected into adulthood or even experience late onset acne. Although the exact cause of adult acne is unknown, possible causes include stress, cosmetics and hormones.

How Can I Treat Adult Acne?

Not only is chronic adult acne frustrating, but it can also have long-lasting effects on the self-esteem and confidence of those suffering from it. To combat blemishes, follow a few basic guidelines to improve your skin's condition.

• Avoid the urge to pick or squeeze pimples. Aggravating your acne will only increase inflammation, delay the healing process and lead to scarring.
• Follow a daily skincare regimen to remove oils, make up, and sweat from the surface of your skin.
• When wearing make-up, only use oil-free cosmetics.
• Avoid over-washing your skin, as this can make your acne worse.
• Wash gently with a mild facial cleanser once or twice a day. Be cautious of harsh cleansing products that lead to dry, irritated skin.
• Eat a well-balanced diet.
• Limit exposure to sun and excess cold.

Fortunately, the physical and emotional effects of acne can be reversed with proper treatment. While adult acne can be persistent, an individualized treatment plan from our office can help you reduce blemishes, prevent scarring and eliminate your acne. With diligent home care and help from your dermatologist, your acne can be significantly improved, allowing you to regain your confidence!

When was the last time you visited one of our Honolulu, HI, dermatologists Dr. Kevin Dawson, Dr. Douglas Chun or Dr. Sarah Grekin for a skin exam? If you’ve never had a skin exam it’s important that you do, especially if you find yourself spending a lot of time outdoors in the warm Hawaiian sun. While applying sunscreen each and every day will certainly go a long way to protecting you from skin cancer, getting an annual skin exam should also be part of your preventive skin care regimen.

Why Regular Skin Exams are Important

A simple skin exam may be all that’s needed to detect skin cancer. That’s why it’s important to see your Honolulu, HI, skin doctor once a year for a simple skin exam.

Other Ways to Protect Against Skin Cancer

Along with turning to your dermatologist once a year for this preventive checkup you should also be performing your own self-exams to look for warning signs of skin cancer. Here are some warning signs and symptoms to be on the lookout for,

• Unusual skin growths, moles or sores that don’t heal
• Spots that itch, scab or bleed
• Moles that are multiple colors
• Moles that are asymmetrical or have jagged, poorly defined borders

Not sure how to do a skin self-exam? Follow these helpful tips from the American Cancer Society. Those at a higher risk for skin cancer, as well as those who have a weakened immune system, should perform regular skin exams.

Along with skin self-exams, you should always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Apply a generous amount to your face and body, and remember to reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or exercising.

Don’t wait until skin problems surface to see your dermatologist. Call Dawson Dermatology in Honolulu, HI, to schedule your full body skin examination today and protect against skin cancer.

The nails take a lot of abuse. From gardening and dishes to regular wear and tear, harsh chemicals and hard work can really take a toll on the condition of fingernails and toenails. Many nail problems can be avoided with proper care, but others may actually indicate a serious health condition that requires medical attention.  

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, nail problems comprise about 10 percent of all skin conditions, affecting a large number of older adults. Brittle nails are common nail problems, typically triggered by age and the environment. Other conditions include ingrown toenails, nail fungus, warts, cysts or psoriasis of the nails. All of these common ailments can be effectively treated with proper diagnosis from a dermatologist.

Mirror on Health

A person’s nails can reveal a lot about their overall health. While most nail problems aren’t severe, many serious health conditions can be detected by changes in the nails, including liver diseases, kidney diseases, heart conditions, lung diseases, diabetes and anemia. That’s why it’s important to visit your dermatologist if you notice any unusual changes in your nails.

Basic Nail Care

It’s easy to neglect your nails, but with basic nail care, you can help keep your fingernails and toenails looking and feeling great. Here’s how:

• Keep nails clean and dry to prevent bacteria from building up under the nail.

• Cut fingernails and toenails straight across to prevent ingrown nails and trauma.

• Avoid tight-fitting footwear.

• Apply an anti-fungal foot powder daily or when needed.

• Avoid biting and picking fingernails, as infectious organisms can be transferred between the fingers and mouth.

• Wear gloves to protect your fingernails when doing yard work or cleaning house to protect the nails from harsh chemicals and trauma.

• When in doubt about self-treatment for nail problems, visit your dermatologist for proper diagnosis and care.

Always notify a dermatologist of nail irregularities, such as swelling, pain or change in shape or color of the nail. Remember, your nails can tell you a lot about your overall health, and a dermatologist can help determine the appropriate treatment for any of your nail problems.