What is a skin tag? A skin tag is a small, soft, round growth of skin that stands apart from the rest of your skin. “It’s often not bigger than a few millimeters, but it can grow up to half an inch,” explains Dr. Kellie Reed, board certified dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology. “Once it’s grown, it usually doesn’t change shape Continue reading
Birthmarks are a common occurrence. Most commonly, a concentration of extra pigment or blood vessels causes a noticeable mark on a newborn’s skin. “There are many ways these marks can present, including moles, port wine stains and hemangiomas, as well as café-au-lait spots,” shares Emily Johnston, physician assistant at Sanova Dermatology. While birthmarks are typically harmless, small, and easy to live with, Continue reading
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting 7.5 million people in the United States. “It’s classified as an autoimmune disorder, meaning the bodies own immune system is creating an inflammatory response to itself,” says Dr. Kellie Reed, board certified Dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology. The severity of the condition can vary and affect activities of daily living even in mild forms. Continue reading
Abnormal skin growths – lumps, ridges, or other seemingly random growths on or below the surface of the skin – can be very concerning. This is especially true if they come up at the site of a previously treated skin cancer. However, not all of these growths are worrisome. A suture granuloma, for example, can normally be found on or Continue reading
Many individuals in the United States have suffered from cold sores at some point in their life. “These outbreaks can be severe and affect activities of daily life,” explains Emily Johnston, dermatology physician assistant at Sanova Dermatology in Austin, Texas. It is important to understanding the appearance and cause of cold sores to help prevent further spread and to understand Continue reading
Basal cell skin cancer, also known as basal cell carcinoma, is the most common type of skin cancer and affects millions of people every year. It can appear in several different ways based on it’s different subtypes. There are several key features that can be used by dermatologists to help diagnose basal cell carcinoma. The nodular subtype of basal cell Continue reading
If you’re over 40 and notice a dry, rough, scaly patch of pink, red or brown skin it could be actinic keratosis. These rough scaly patches are the result of past sun exposure, and can often take years to develop. A percentage of these skin lesions can become cancerous. So They Only Affect Middle-Aged or Older People? “Although they’re most Continue reading
A fixed drug eruption (or ‘fixed drug reaction’) is essentially an allergic reaction to an oral medication. “Most rashes associated with adverse drug reactions can be diffuse, or migrate across the skin and can have systemic symptoms,” says Dr. Adam Mamelak, board certified Dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology. “These reactions are called ‘fixed’ because they occur at a specific location on Continue reading
To many people, new bumps on the skin might seem unsightly. When those bumps appear on the outer border of the lip and the inside lining of the cheek, or on the skin of the genitalia, people might consider these spots alarming and worrisome. “Of course, any new growth or bump on the skin should be evaluated to ensure it Continue reading
Pyoderma gangrenosum is a non-contagious inflammatory skin disease that can cause large, painful ulcers if not treated. “The first sign of pyoderma gangrenosum is normally a small, red bump similar to a spider bite,” says Dr. Kellie Reed, a board certified Dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology. The bump can break down and develop into an open lesion within a few days. The lesions Continue reading
