Skin Condition Treatment New York, NY
Skin conditions can cause various worrisome and visible changes to the body. Symptoms may go beyond appearance, manifesting as itching, swelling, or pain. If you have noticed any signs of skin irritation or other skin conditions, prompt treatment may be necessary.
Treatment for skin conditions is available at Marina Gafanovich, MD in New York and the surrounding area. We may be able to halt the progression of your condition and reverse its effects. Call us today at (212) 548-3263 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Eczema
Understanding Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition that typically affects children but can also occur in adults. According to healthychildren.org, around one in 10 children are affected by this condition, and it usually begins before the age of five. One of the significant risk factors for eczema is a family history of several ailments. If a family member suffers from eczema, asthma, or allergic rhinitis, the risk of also suffering from eczema increases significantly.
Symptoms of Eczema
The two most common eczema symptoms are dehydrated skin and severe itching with clusters of pimple-like structures. Patients may notice that their symptoms begin or worsen after coming into contact with specific substances, including food, pollution, humidity, or even stress. Mild eczema cases may go away without treatment, but severe symptoms rarely subside without medical care.
Causes of Eczema
Eczema is a genetic condition that affects the skin's ability to protect itself from allergens, bacteria, and irritants. For some children, food allergies may be a causal factor. Risk factors include a personal or family history of allergies, asthma, or hay fever.
Treating Eczema
Eczema can be a chronic condition. As such, patients may need to try various treatments to keep it under control — and even then, they may experience occasional flare-ups. Regular moisturizing can help keep minor cases of eczema at bay. A primary care doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid cream or ointment (or even an oral corticosteroid) if an over-the-counter lotion does not suffice. Scratching may lead to an open sore or cracks in the skin, which may become infected. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics to fight any bacterial infection.
“The two most common eczema symptoms are dehydrated skin and severe itching with clusters of pimple-like structures.”
Poison Ivy Dermatitis
Understanding Poison Ivy Dermatitis
Poison ivy is a commonly known plant containing a chemical called urushiol. Many individuals have a sensitivity to the oil that causes a condition known as poison ivy dermatitis. Poison ivy is familiar to many areas of the United States. Since it grows in woody areas, it typically affects those who are hiking or camping.
Symptoms of Poison Ivy Dermatitis
Two of the most common signs of poison ivy dermatitis include intense itching and redness. Patients may notice that these symptoms occur along with pimple-like bumps in a line or streak where the plant came into contact with their skin. Symptom onset may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days following exposure.
Causes of Poison Ivy Dermatitis
The cause of poison ivy rash is simple: getting in contact with poison ivy. This can be via direct touch, touching contaminated objects, or inhaling smoke from the burning plants. A contaminated object can cause a skin reaction even years after contamination.
Treating Poison Ivy Dermatitis
Since poison ivy dermatitis symptoms are so characteristic in their pattern, it can typically be diagnosed and treated rather quickly. Less severe cases will generally respond well to home remedies and clear up within two to three weeks. However, a primary care doctor can prescribe oral corticosteroids if the rash is widespread or results in many blisters. Similarly, they may prescribe an oral antibiotic for any bacterial infection.
“The cause of poison ivy rash is simple: getting in contact with poison ivy.”
Ringworm
Understanding Ringworm
Despite its name, ringworm is not caused by a worm but by a fungus. It typically manifests as a circular, red, itchy rash with clearer skin in the middle and is related to other bacterial infections, such as athlete's foot and jock itch. Ringworm typically spreads via direct skin-to-skin contact, either with an infected person or animal.
Symptoms of Ringworm
Ringworm gets its name from its appearance on the skin, which is a circular or ring-shaped rash. This circular patch of skin will also be itchy, red, and scaly. Ringworm transferred from cats or dogs can cause a very severe reaction and cause extreme itchiness.
Causes of Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection caused by common mold-like parasites living on the cells in the skin's outer layer. It can spread via human to human contact, animal to human contact, object to human contact, and soil to human contact. Risk factors include living in a warm climate, being in close contact with an infected person or animal, sharing clothing or bedding with someone with a fungal infection, participating in sports with skin-to-skin contact, wearing tight or restrictive clothing, and being immunocompromised.
Treating Ringworm
Our primary care doctor can diagnose ringworm quickly by taking some scrapings from the affected patch and looking at it under a microscope. The fungus has a very distinct shape, so we will promptly diagnose it. A doctor can also prescribe topical antifungal creams or lotions to clear the infection and symptoms for treatment. Suppose the area of infection is unusually large, or there are multiple infections across the body. In that case, the physician will prescribe an oral antifungal medication to treat all the areas effectively.
“Ringworm gets its name from its appearance on the skin, which is a circular or ring-shaped rash.”
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Shingles
Understanding Shingles
Shingles is a skin condition caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox in children. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, released in 2008, nearly one million people are affected by shingles every single year. Specific populations may have an increased risk for shingles. This includes immunocompromised patients, organ transplant patients, and HIV patients.
Symptoms of Shingles
The symptoms of shingles usually follow a particular timeline. The condition may start as small blisters or pimples that fill with grey fluid after three to four days. In seven to 10 days, these blisters rupture and will crust over. A burning or stabbing pain may occur in the rash area, which is sometimes triggered by a slight touch. In severe cases, patients may experience scarring.
Causes of Shingles
Shingles are caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. As such, anyone who has chickenpox may also develop shingles. Even after recovering from chickenpox, the virus can lie dormant in a patient's nervous system for years. Still, experts have yet to agree on any one apparent cause. Evidence suggests it may have to do with the weakened immune systems that come with age.
Treating Shingles
Shingles treatment is highly dependent on how soon the infection is detected. Individuals should seek professional treatment as soon as they start undergoing any warning signs, particularly if they occur near the eye. If not treated immediately, patients may even lose their vision. A primary care doctor can prescribe oral antiviral therapy to kill the virus and medication to alleviate the pain.
“Shingles treatment is highly dependent on how soon the infection is detected.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What are the most common symptoms of eczema?
Q. What causes poison ivy dermatitis?
Q. What does ringworm look like?
People Also Ask
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I prevent ringworm?
A. It is challenging to prevent ringworm since the fungus that causes it is so common. Additionally, the condition is contagious even before symptoms have a chance to manifest. Still, prevention is possible. Washing hands regularly is crucial, as is keeping shared areas clean. Those who participate in contact sports should shower immediately clean their uniform and gear after practice or a game. It is also essential to stay cool and dry, avoid infected animals, and not share personal items.
Q. Is shingles contagious?
A. Yes and no. Anyone with shingles can pass the virus to anyone who is not immune to the chickenpox virus. Transmission generally occurs through direct contact with the open sores. The infected person will then develop chickenpox, which may or may not develop into shingles.
Q. How can I identify poison ivy?
A. A good way to remember how to avoid poison ivy is the phrase "leaves of three; let it be." This woody vine has two-to-four inch leaflets grouped in threes, with a center leaf extending longer than the surrounding two leaves. Poison ivy also clings to vertical surfaces, such as tree trunks.
Q. Are there any possible complications with eczema?
A. Yes. Eczema often precedes asthma and hay fever, especially in children under age 13. It may also progress into another skin condition called neurodermatitis. Furthermore, repeated scratching may cause skin infections. The itch-scratch cycle can also disturb one's sleep.
Q. Why should I go to a primary care doctor for a skin condition?
A. Many skin conditions resolve themselves on their own. However, if left untreated, others may lead to severe complications — or, at the very least, significant annoyances. A primary care doctor can assess the condition and make an accurate diagnosis to help get you the care you need when you need it.
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By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
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Definition of Medical Terminology
Call Us Today
Skin conditions can produce concerning and unsightly symptoms. It can also be challenging to differentiate various skin conditions from each other and, thus, to treat them accordingly. We at Marina Gafanovich, MD can help. Call us today at 212-548-3263 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
Helpful Related Links
- American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 2022
- American Journal of Medicine. American Journal of Medicine. 2022
- American Medical Association (AMA). American Medical Association (AMA). 2022
- American Society of Clinical Oncology. American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2022
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. 2022
- Cleaveland Clinic Oncologist. Cleaveland Clinic Oncologist. 2022
- Skin Cancer Foundation. Skin Cancer Foundation. 2022
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