Maintaining Healthy Skin – The Importance of Annual Check-ups

By Dr. Brian Keegan

Many patients schedule a visit with their dermatologist when they have a concern or issue with their skin, but at Windsor Dermatology, we believe it’s equally important to schedule an annual “skin check-up” with your dermatologist the same way you schedule an annual visit with your primary care physician. The skin is the most visible organ on the body and when there are sudden or unusual changes in its appearance, it can indicate an underlying medical issue that needs to be addressed. Here are some other reasons why annual check-ups are important:

1.     To quickly diagnose and treat other medical conditions.

For instance, stains on the legs can indicate poor circulation that could potentially lead to cardiac issues. Certain types of coloration on the neck could be indicative of hormonal abnormalities. Cholesterol deposits around the eyes could indicate high cholesterol within the blood.

2.     To screen for melanoma.  

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), skin cancer affects 1 in 5 Americans, and more than 3.5 million new skin cancer cases in 2 million people are diagnosed each year in the United States. Even with the progress that has been made over the years in prevention and treatment, the number of melanoma cases are still rising in the U.S., so it’s important to have a skin exam to help increase the chance of accurately diagnosing this skin condition.

3.     To proactively prevent flare-ups of acne, eczema or psoriasis.

Skin conditions such as acne, eczema or psoriasis can flare-up during certain times of the year and in response to changes to the weather. Regular check-ups are an important preventative treatment that can help avoid any discomfort. 

As you can see, scheduling regular check-ups with your dermatologist is a key way to maintain healthy skin and good health all year long. 

To schedule an appointment, visit www.windsordermatology.com or call 609-443-4500.

Tips to Avoid the Winter “Itch”

By Dr. Jerry Bagel
 

It’s certainly not new news that the winter leaves everyone with dry, chapped and cracked skin, but for those suffering from eczema, winter can unleash a whole other beast on your skin. Eczema is a common inflammation of the skin that is not contagious, but is extremely uncomfortable for those who suffer from it. 

Common exacerbations of eczema include an allergic reaction to something in contact with the skin such as detergents, soaps, fabrics or substances that dry out the skin. Some types of eczema are hereditary.

Here are some tips for eczema sufferers to get through the “itchy” season:

1. It’s better to take a bath rather than a shower as the skin hydrates better. When bathing, put Aveno powder into the bath to help soothe the skin and soak for 15-20 minutes.

2. If you do not have a tub or do not care for baths, take a lukewarm shower (it’s important to make sure the water is not too hot or too cold). Use moisturizing soaps like Dove or Cetaphil.

3. After your bath or shower, gently pat skin dry.      

4. Immediately after patting skin dry, apply a moisturizing cream—not lotion

5.  Moisturize using Eucerin a few times a day (typically in the morning and at night) to help keep your skin hydrated.

6. Avoid wool clothing, as it will trigger itching.

7. Wear layered clothing to keep your body temperature moderate. You never want to get overheated or be too cold, as this will cause eczema flare-ups.

8. Take a Benadryl at night if you can’t seem to stop itching, but beware, Benadryl will make you sleepy or groggy.

It’s important to note that the physicians at Windsor Dermatology can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan to manage or diagnose eczema. For more information, Windsor Dermatology can be reached at 609-443-4500 to schedule an appointment.

October is Eczema Awareness Month—How to Avoid Flare-Ups

By Dr. Jerry Bagel

I am often asked by clients who suffer from seasonal outbreaks of eczema why their skin “flares-up” the minute the weather turns from warm to cool—and what they can do to proactively prevent this from happening. Fortunately, thanks to our growing knowledge base about this sometimes severe skin condition, we have many tools at our disposal to lessen, or in some cases, stop eczema breakouts in its tracks.

 

First, to treat eczema we have to understand what it is and what environmental factors contribute to its severity. Eczema is typically referred to as a family of skin conditions that leave the skin inflamed, irritated and itchy.

While eczema itself isn’t contagious, it does cause severe itching. Scratching could result in an open wound that may become infected. Some infections, like staph infections, are contagious and can develop if an eczema wound is left untreated.

So, what causes eczema to flare-up?

A primary cause for eczema flare-ups is what we call thermoregulation.  This means the body has been subjected to sudden climate changes indoors as well as outside. The cool weather reduces the humidity from the air, drying out the skin, causing eczema to flare. Household heaters in the winter drop humidity levels, which also create a perfect environment for eczema flare-ups.

So what can eczema sufferers do to prevent environmental changes from wreaking havoc on their skin? One way to control thermoregulation is by layering your clothing so that your skin isn’t subjected to significant temperature changes when going indoors or outside.

Stress is also linked to eczema flare-ups. When stressed, your body is reacting to a physical “threat” and it’s trying to protect the skin via the immune system, causing a flare-up. The immune system sends a concentration of white blood cells to the affected area causing the skin to become swollen, irritated and itchy. Obviously, stress is a part of mostly everyone’s life, but most patients find that there are many ways (meditation and yoga) that can keep their stress levels from going into the red zone.  Small changes in your routine, such as getting more exercise, building better sleep habits and finding ways to incorporate relaxation into your day, can have a very impactful effect on the severity of future outbreaks.

If you experience an eczema flare-up, we often suggest taking an antihistamine such as Benadryl to relieve the itch. It’s important to use moisturizing creams and mild soaps, like Dove, to help prevent the skin from drying out.  Also, when you dry off after a shower or bath, gently pat dry instead of forcefully rubbing the towel over the affected areas.

For more severe or persistent cases, we typically treat eczema with a prescription for a medicine such as a mild topical Cortisone ointment.

If you suspect you may be developing eczema, or think you are having a flare-up, it’s important to see a dermatologist as soon as possible. If left untreated, eczema can cause permanent changes in skin pigmentation. Also, the longer you’ve had eczema, the more challenging it is to treat.

Eczema is a disruptive and serious skin condition that can strike almost anyone at any time, but luckily, proactive behavior takes advantage of all we have learned about this condition, and enables the patient to control and manage it.

For more information about eczema or to make an appointment with a dermatologist, visit www.WindsorDermatology.com or call 609-443-4500.