Why do I need to see a dermatologist?
You may find an over-the-counter product that takes care of your skin condition, especially if you have a mild skin problem. But skin diseases are a complex and large group of conditions.
There are hundreds of skin diseases, and many of their symptoms overlap. That makes it easy to mistake one for another.
When that happens, you may self-treat the condition you think you have, then discover that your skin worsens because the product irritated your real condition. Some skin conditions simply need prescription medication, especially if they’re moderate or severe.
As a general guideline, consider consulting Dr. Hurst when your skin condition doesn’t respond to or worsens with commercial products.
If you develop inflammation or an open sore that persists for several days, you may need a doctor’s evaluation. Always contact Dr. Hurst for an evaluation when you notice a change in the appearance of a mole or develop a questionable skin lesion — these may be signs of skin cancer.
Dr. Hurst specializes in the detection and treatment of skin cancer. In addition to performing conventional surgical excision of cancer, he’s a trained specialist in Mohs micrographic surgery, which is the most effective method of treating skin cancer.
What skin conditions does a dermatologist treat?
Dr. Hurst treats every type of skin disease, but some of the most common conditions are:
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Warts
- Skin infections
- Rashes
- Hair and nail disorders
What should I know about skin allergies?
Skin allergies occur when an allergen causes a skin reaction. Dr. Hurst identifies and treats skin allergies such as contact dermatitis and hives.
- Allergic Contact Dermatitis: This condition develops when your skin comes in contact with an allergen such as nickel, poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac.
- Urticaria, or Hives: Hives can occur in response to numerous allergens. Acute urticaria is often caused by a food allergy or by an insect bite. You can also develop hives from medications.
What treatments are available for skin diseases?
In addition to providing the full range of conventional treatment options like topical and oral medications, Dr. Hurst offers surgical services and therapies such as:
- PUVA phototherapy: combines ultraviolet A light with medication to treat severe skin disease
- Narrowband UVB phototherapy: treats skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic eczema
- Skin biopsies: identify underlying skin disease
- Surgical excision: removes moles, cysts, lipomas, skin tags, skin cancer