Read a bit about our broad range of medical dermatology treatments in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Canon City, CO at Colorado Springs Dermatology Clinic, P.C.: A board-certified dermatologist can treat you for many common chronic skin conditions.
Some skin conditions are not curable. However, rashes, growths, and itchy issues can be controlled with medication and/or lifestyle changes.
It’s best to visit one of our dermatologists for a professional medical treatment opinion. This is certainly recommended over self-medication. Some over-the-counter skin products can actually cause adverse effects if used improperly or for the wrong purpose.
VIDEO: Medical Dermatology Overview
In this video, Dr. Nate Trookman explains the breadth of medical dermatological procedures offered at CS Derm:
Below are brief descriptions of our medical dermatology services:
Acne
Mainly a problem for adolescents starting between the ages of 10 and 13, the pimples, blackheads and cysts of acne also plague many adults. This uncomfortable skin condition begins when greasy secretions from the skin’s oil glands plug pores, initially causing the small, flat spots called blackheads or smaller, flesh-colored whiteheads. Either type of plugged pore can lead to pimples, lumps or inflamed nodules. Severe cases, called cystic acne, are associated with inflamed swellings beneath the skin’s surface. Most severe cases tend to occur in teenage boys, although a growing number of women ranging in age from their 30s all the way through their 50s are developing acne.
Acne appears mainly on the face, but can also break out on the back chest, buttocks, upper arms and shoulders. Unfortunately, even after acne has cleared, dark spots and permanent scars may remain on the skin. Particularly since it tends to appear in adolescence when self-esteem can be fragile, acne can lead to feelings of low self-worth and depression.
Typical medical dermatology treatment for this common skin condition includes topical medications like retinoids, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. More serious cases may require medicine that works throughout the body like antibiotics, birth control pills (for women) and a medication called isotretinoin. Lasers and chemical peels may also be used.
Eczema
A broad group of medical conditions that cause inflammation, itching and irritation of the skin, eczema tends to be inherited and is often accompanied by other allergic conditions, including asthma and hay fever. For the most part, the condition is manageable, and most people are initially diagnosed as babies or young children. Babies tend to have the rash on the face, scalp and trunk, while older children and adults tend to break out on the areas of the body that bend, such as knees, elbows and neck. Itching can be so intense that sufferers scratch the skin until it bleeds, leading to a vicious cycle of more inflammation and itching. Normally, the condition gets less severe with age.
Because most people with eczema have very dry, sensitive skin, it’s often helpful to keep the skin moisturized and to avoid irritants and allergens that may be exacerbating the condition. in addition to medical dermatology, doctors may recommend daily moisturizing, soft cotton clothing, mild soaps, moisturizing immediately after bathing and use of a humidifier in cold weather. Find out if you are allergic to environmental factors like pets, pollen, molds or household dust mites.
Read more about eczema treatment options at Colorado Springs Dermatology Clinic, P.C.:
Mole Removal
The removal of moles is often not a medical necessity. However, some moles can be embarrassing and can be removed using various cosmetic procedures. Typically, a mole can be permanently removed with a simple procedure with little to no side effects.
In some cases, suspicious moles may be removed to prevent skin cancer. Often, the suspicious mole, one that has an irregular shape or has grown in size, can be permanently removed with a simple surgical and/or laser procedure.
Learn more about your options for mole removal:
Psoriasis
Caused by faulty signals from a patient’s immune systems, psoriasis is a dermatological condition where skin cells form too quickly, piling into outbreaks of raised, reddish patches called plaque. The thick, red plaque may be covered with a silvery-white coating called scale, with outbreaks most often occurring on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp. Itching and scratching leads to a thickening of the patches. Usually appearing for the first time in early adulthood, psoriasis normally just affects a few areas, though sufferers with severe cases may have outbreaks over large parts of the body. Though the condition is not contagious, it can occur in members of the same family, and may come and go throughout a patient’s life.
Rosacea
Like its name, rosacea is a common skin disorder that causes redness on the face, mainly on the chin, nose, forehead and cheeks, though it can also occur on the chest, neck or back. The condition can become more serious over time, causing red bumps, puss-filled pimples, visible blood vessels and eventually a bulbous, swollen condition of the nose called rhinophyma.
Medical dermatology treatments for rosacea include topical medications, use of sunscreen, antibiotics (both topical and oral), lasers, dermabrasion, lasers and electrocautery. The condition may come and go, and although there is no cure, nearly half of sufferers eventually have their rosacea clear up. A cause for rosacea has not been discovered, though some think the disease may be caused by fungus, skin mites or problems in connective tissues beneath the skin.
Learn more about how we can help you with a rosacea treatment plan at Colorado Springs Dermatology Clinic, P.C.:
Skin Cancer
There are many types of skin cancer, and when treated promptly, most can be cured. Even the most deadly form, melanoma, can be eradicated when identified and treated early. Signs of skin cancer are easy to see if you are performing routine skin checks. They may include a changing mole, a patch of scaly skin, a growing bump or an irritation that won’t heal. Often one of the first signs is the development of actinic keratosis, red scaly spots that are actually precancerous growths. If you notice any of these changes in your skin, see your dermatologist.
The most common forms of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Skin that has been left unprotected from the sun for years is at much higher risk for the disease, and early treatment which could include medical dermatology among other treatments performed before the cancer has a chance to spread offers the best chance for a cure.
Learn more about our skin cancer treatment and screening services:
Skin Cancer Treatment Skin Cancer Screening
Sun Spots
Sun Spots can come in different forms and coloring. It’s usually coupled with other signs of aging. While typically not a medical necessity, some things can be done to cosmetically remove sun spots and improve the appearance of your skin. Most procedures are fairly simply and quick with little to no side effects.
If you’re looking for effective sun spots treatment, we can help:
Warts
Warts are skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. While there are more than 100 types of warts, the two most common are plantar arts and palmer warts, named for the parts of the body where they occur. Plantar warts grow on the bottom of the foot while palmer warts are on the hands. Other types of warts include flat, periungual and filiform warts, and, while most are harmless, a few may become cancerous.
Though these unsightly growths may go away on their own with time, many people choose to use over-the-counter remedies like freezing kits or salicyclic acid preparations or may opt for dermatological treatments. In the dermatologist’s office, warts are removed by a number of methods, including cryotherapy (freezing), painting with substance called cantharidin, excision or electro-surgery. Particularly severe cases may call for specialized medical dermatology procedures to include laser treatment, chemical peels or immunotherapy.
Find out how we can help you with warts treatment:
If You Have Questions About Medical Dermatology
Please contact our clinic if you have any questions about medical dermatology or a medical skin condition. Our specialists are board-certified and highly experienced to talk to you about your best treatment options.