Pityriasis Rosea

Pityriasis rosea is a very common skin disease that causes a patchy pink-red rash that may last 6-8 weeks before resolving on its own. The condition may be related to a viral infection. Due to its appearance, pityriasis rosea may be confused as eczema or ringworm. It is common with people of all ages and skin color but is most likely to occur between the ages of 10-35 and during pregnancy. (If you do develop this rash during pregnancy, it is important to let your doctor know right away).

The first sign of pityriasis rosea is called a “mother” patch and it tends to be larger (2-3-inch diameter) and appear approximately two weeks before the other rashes appear. Daughter patches tend to be smaller in size and often appear on the chest, back, arms, and legs. These patches can also form on the neck and face, sometimes even in the mouth. If many patches begin to form, they may assume a “Christmas tree” pattern on the back. Patches may be scaly and itch.

As noted above, the rash will often resolve on its own within 2 months. Symptoms from itch may be addressed with the use of over-the-counter anti-histamines and anti-itch creams. Some prescription anti-viral medications may also speed clearance of the rash.

Medical Dermatology

Dermatology is the branch of medicine that treats conditions affecting the skin, scalp, hair, and nails. As the largest organ in the body, over 3000 different diseases may affect the skin. Many times skin changes provide clues to systemic illnesses.

Some of the more common conditions in medical dermatology include:

Acne
Eczema
Psoriasis
Skin Infections
Warts
Rosacea
Skin Cancer

Medical dermatology also includes treatment for less common conditions like:

Autoimmune connective tissue disorders
Blistering disorders
Cutaneous Vasculitides

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the world. Over five million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year; this is more than the number of new cases of prostate, breast, lung, and colon cancer combined. Most skin cancers are associated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

What skin cancer looks like depends on the type of skin cancer. The most common types of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, may present as pink or red sores that do not heal. They sometimes itch, hurt, or bleed. Melanoma sometimes appears as a mole with several shades of brown, black, pink, purple, or red. The border may be uneven and it may change in appearance over time.

Some other less common types of skin cancer include: Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Sebaceous Carcinoma, Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP) and, Atypical Fibroxanthoma (AFX).

As with most types of cancer, early diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer leads to optimal outcomes.

Mohs Surgery

Developed by Frederic Mohs in the 1930s, the Mohs surgery technique is the most precise, advanced, and effective treatment for many types of skin cancer. Skin cancer often develops roots extending beyond the visible tumor. The Mohs technique involves surgically removing the visible skin cancer and then examining the edges (deep and lateral) under a microscope. If left over tumor is noted at one of the edges, this specific edge is re-excised and again examined under a microscope. The process is repeated until it is confirmed that all of the skin cancer has been removed.

The cure rate for Mohs surgery is up to 99% at five years. In addition, the technique maximizes the functional and cosmetic outcome following surgery by removing only the smallest amount of normal skin necessary. Furthermore, the Mohs approach is frequently the most cost-effective treatment available.

In most cases, the site of the skin cancer may be repaired immediately following Mohs surgery.

Pityriasis Rosea