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 Mark Herron, MD, is a board-certified Pediatric Dermatologist. A Pediatric Dermatologist has specialty training in childhood diseases of the skin. Mark Herron, MD, is board-certified in Pediatrics, Dermatology, and Pediatric Dermatology.
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Acne is the term for the blocked pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that can appear typically on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. Seventeen million americans currently have acne, making it the most common skin disease in the country. While it affects mostly teenagers, and almost all teenagers have some forms of acne, adults of any age can have it. Acne is not life-threatening, but it can cause physical disfigurement (scarring) and emotional distress. Treatment varies depending on the type and severity of lesions, skin type and the patient's age and lifestyle, but on average results are visible in six to eight weeks.
Atopic Dermatitis runs in families. These families may be asthma, hay fever, allergies, or eczema. 10% of all infants and children are affected with atopic dermatitis. It is most common in infants and young adults. 50% of infants and children will have atopic dermatitis as an adult. This makes children and parents very frustrated. Atopic dermatitis is characterized by itchy red, blistering, oozing skin, and itchy, thickened, scaly skin. Rapid changes in temperature and sweating can aggravate atopic dermatitis. Rarely, it has connection to foods. Food allergies can be tested. Do not eliminate important foods unless a doctor tells you so. In most cases, eliminating foods does not cure eczema. There is no blood test for eczema. Scratching may cause infections in the skin.
Molluscum is caused by viruses that infect the top layer of the skin. They can be spread easily. They are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. Molluscum are small, flesh-colored, pink dome-shaped growths. They have a crater of indentation in the center. Molluscum are found in clusters on the chest, abdomen, arms, groin, and buttocks. Molluscum can become red and inflamed. They can involve the eyelids and the face. Molluscum are transmitted by direct skin contact and by scratching your own skin. In young children, they are often passed from their siblings. 20% of all school children have molluscum. Molluscum occur more easily on eczema and damaged skin. Children who bite or pick their nails spread molluscum easily. Some people catch molluscum more readily than others. Molluscum incubates in the skin for up to 50 days, which means that normal skin can be infected with the virus. In children, molluscum disappears over years even without treatment.
The only guaranteed way to get rid of these viruses is for the patient's immune system to kill the virus. Treatment of molluscum is to destroy the infected tissue. The treatment may not kill the virus. Treatment may require multiple office visits. The patient may develop new molluscum even if the original ones have gone away. It is possible for the skin to get infected after treatment. Treatment is associated with pain. Large blisters may form with treatments. There may be scars after treating the molluscum. There are no guarantees, even after multiple treatments, that the molluscum will be gone.
These are caused by viruses that infect the top layer of skin. They are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. The only guaranteed way to get rid of these viruses is for the patient's immune system to kill the virus. Treatment of warts is to destroy the infected tissue. Treatment may require multiple office visits and may be expensive. There will be a charge each time the patient is seen and treated in the office. The patient may develop new warts even if the original ones have gone away. Treatment is associated with pain. Large blisters may form with treatments. There may be scars after treating the warts. There are no guarantees, even after multiple treatments, that the warts will be gone. There is no perfect treatment.
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