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Acne is due to many factors (overactive sebaceous glands, hormones, follicular hyperkeratinization, and bacteria called P. Acnes). Treatment usually starts with a class of topical medications called retinoids along with benzoyl peroxide. If more severe, oral antibiotics can be helpful. Isotretinoin (Accutane) is used with great success in resistant cases. It will take 2-3 months for you to see a result after starting a new treatment plan.

If you notice scarring from acne, please make an appointment with Dr. Miller or another board-certified dermatologist promptly to prevent further scarring.

Atopic dermatitis/Eczema is a condition that often improves by adolescence. Patients with atopic dermatitis have a weakened skin barrier which means they lose moisture easily and are more prone to skin irritants and infections. The goal of therapy is to restore the patient’s skin barrier through moisturizers and bathing with a moisturizing soap. Topical steroids are often part of the therapy in eczema to control flares. Topical steroids have a rare risk of skin atrophy and very rarely adrenal suppression when used inappropriately. However, by using topical steroids consistently for a limited period of time, they can be very effective with a low risk of side effects.

Hemangiomas usually appear within 1-2 weeks of life and many will partially resolve over several years without treatment. Most carry no harm to your child. However, hemangiomas in certain locations carry additional risks and need more aggressive treatment with oral medications (propranolol) and sometimes with a laser treatment called pulsed dye laser (PDL). Treatment is most effective when started in the first few months of life. Below is an infant treated by Dr. Miller (eyes obscured to protect identity):

Keloids are a type of scar that proliferate abnormally. Injections can significantly improve the appearance of keloids but injections along cannot make them disappear.

These are very small cysts that appear as firm white bumps on the face.  These can be treated in office but are not covered by insurance.

Similar to warts, this is caused by a virus (Pox virus) and is contagious. Treatment involves destruction with the application of a topical irritant by medical staff.

Reproduced with permission from the American Academy of Dermatology. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.

Psoriasis is due to inflammation in the skin leading to excessive proliferation of skin cells. However, it can also affect the joints. New research is showing a link between psoriasis, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. There are no medications that completely cure psoriasis but there are many very effective agents which can significantly improve the appearance of psoriatic skin.

Guttate psoriasis is a variant that can be related to strep throat. It can respond to antibiotics but narrow-band ultraviolet B light administered in a medical office may also be used.

Rosacea has many varieties. Redness and flushing are best treated with laser treatments such as PDL that target blood vessels. Also, certain triggers such as sun, spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine can exacerbate redness associated with rosacea.

Rosacea that involves pustules and red bumps on the face can respond to topical agents and sometimes short courses of oral antibiotics.

At times, scars from a surgery or trauma can be very firm or very red and can be cosmetically disfiguring. Injections and/or lasers can be effective.

This is a benign growth of your sebaceous gland. These growths often appear as flesh-colored bumps on the forehead and cheeks and can be cosmetically removed by Dr. Miller.