Our Medical and Surgical Dermatology Treatments
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Solar KeratosisAlso called actinic keratosis, this condition results in the development of scaly red patches on the skin. Solar keratosis is the most common condition resulting from skin that has been damaged by the sun over time. If you notice symptoms of solar keratosis, Dr. Richard Ecker can diagnose your condition and advise you of the most effective treatment choices. |
EczemaEczema is the term for a group of skin disorders that cause the skin to become dry, inflamed, or irritated. There can be many different factors which contribute to the problem including genetics, internal illness, and external causes. A thorough history and physical exam will determine most causes. The treatment usually involves the use of oral or topical medications along with life-style changes that can produce healing and protect your skin against recurrences.
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Dry SkinIf your skin frequently flakes, peels, becomes scaly, or itches, you should contact our office for a consultation. This condition can disrupt your daily life and it may be a symptom of more serious skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea. We can prescribe a skin care regimen moisturizing creams and lotions, as well as gentler skin cleansers, to combat this condition. We may also recommend lifestyle changes to help you stay more hydrated and avoid certain potential triggers.
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RosaceaIf your facial skin flushes, burns, develops red patches or pustules, or occasionally looks swollen, you may have rosacea. As rosacea has definite tendency to worsen over time, an early diagnosis of this common condition is best. Rosacea is often a problem which is life-long but responds well to proper treatment. Once he has confirmed that you are suffering from rosacea, Dr. Ecker can help you manage this disorder with topical treatments, oral medications, improved skin care, or laser therapy.
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MolesAlmost everyone has moles. While most moles are benign, some moles are dysplastic (meaning that they grow abnormally) or malignant (cancerous). You can determine if a mole may be problematic by applying the ABCDEs – growths that are 1. asymmetrical, 2. have irregular borders, 3. shift in color, 4. grow in diameter, or 5. evolve in any respect. In many instances, Dr. Ecker will recommend removing suspicious moles by performing a biopsy to check for signs of cancer. If a mole is simply unsightly or bothersome, he can also advise the best method of removal for you.
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Skin CancerFor those patients with an extensive sun exposure history, the risk of skin cancer is a genuine concern. Any lesion which is growing abnormally, has easy bleeding, or simply will not heal with proper care deserves an evaluation. To protect your health, we recommend coming in for regular check-ups and reporting any unusual skin symptoms or lesions to our office as soon as you notice them. To definitively diagnose a skin cancer, Dr. Ecker may remove a skin sample to perform a biopsy. If it is determined you have skin cancer, we can remove and treat it in an appropriate manner with simple surgery, topical chemotherapy, or MOHS surgery, if needed. Keep in mind that an early diagnosis almost always leads to better result.
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MOHS SurgeryIf you have been diagnosed with an aggressive or difficult-to-treat skin cancer, Dr. Ecker may recommend that you undergo treatment with MOHS surgery. During this procedure, Dr. Ecker will remove a skin cancer in the smallest segments possible while minimizing damage to the surrounding skin. MOHS surgery allows him to verify that all cancerous cells have been removed effectively at the time of the procedure. Following the removal, Dr. Ecker will fully discuss your options for repairing the wound to give you the best cosmetic result and minimize scarring.
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Fungal Infections
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The most common skin fungal infections include athlete’s foot and ringworm. Each produces slightly different symptoms, but fungal infections generally cause itchy, red rashes that may ooze or flake. If you experience these symptoms, Dr. Ecker can test the affected skin for fungus and recommend treatment. Depending on the severity and type of your infection, you may need to use topical or oral anti-fungal medications, and keep your skin clean and dry for the prescribed period of time.
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AcneAcne, a very common skin disorder which affects all ages, can produce many symptoms including redness, pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and cysts that remain beneath your skin, or even cysts. Acne can be triggered or made worse by hormonal changes, stress, diet, and some medications. To treat it, Dr. Ecker often recommends a skin care regimen which includes our own brand of acne products including clarifiers, moisturizers, and cleansers. In addition, acne usually responds very well to prescription topical or oral medications.
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Benign GrowthsMany types of benign growths can develop on your skin, including freckles, non-cancerous moles, cysts, seborrheic keratoses (raised, rough spots), skin tags (small skin growths in friction sites), lipomas (fat deposits under the skin), and many more less common growths. Dr. Ecker can diagnose the nature of your growth by assessing your skin and reviewing your medical history. Dr. Ecker often recommends removal of any lesions that could be malignant, cause uncomfortable symptoms, or simply be unsightly. He can remove these growths with a variety of methods including simple excision, laser destruction, or cryotherapy (freezing) to produce an excellent cosmetic result.
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Hair DisordersTo treat dermatological hair disorders (including hair loss), Dr. Ecker first takes a thorough history and examines your skin in the affected area. If needed, he will order appropriate lab studies and remove tissue to perform a biopsy to test for certain dermatological conditions. Topical or oral medications can remedy many types of hair disorders, as well as certain dermatology treatments. For patients with excess hair (hypertrichosis), we offer laser hair removal with our state-of-the-art laser system while patients with hair loss (alopecia) may benefit from a variety of medical and surgical treatments.
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Nail DisordersNail disorders are common in dermatology and often part of routine dermatological check-ups. The causes are varied including bacterial or fungal infections, tumors, external damage, nutrition, other skin diseases, and aging. Contact our office if you notice any irregularities in your nail shape, size, or texture. Dr. Ecker can diagnose your condition and recommend the appropriate treatment. He can also provide recommendations for preserving your nail health to prevent disorders.
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PsoriasisPsoriasis, a common often inherited disease, occurs when your body overproduces skin cells which accumulate to create rough, red, and uncomfortable patches on your skin. Dr. Ecker will examine your skin, inquire about associated health conditions, and, if needed, perform a biopsy to diagnose your condition. If you suffer from psoriasis, Dr. Ecker can recommend a wide variety of treatments including oral, topical, or injected medications that can ease your symptoms. We can also perform XTRAC light treatment which is the only FDA approved excimer laser shown to slow or reverse the growth of psoriatic cells in the skin. This laser delivers a UVB light beam to the affected areas without harming the surrounding normal skin. The treatment is painless, safe, and takes only a few minutes. With as few as 4 sessions you can see improvement and it may last as long a year or more. The XTRAC laser is approved by most insurance companies as an accepted treatment. Contact us for full information.
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Scars & KeloidsPrior surgeries or injuries may have left you with noticeable scars or keloids – raised, fibrous tissue that develops at the site of a injury. We may recommend treatments to diminish the appearance of visible scars including Cynosure Cynergy™ laser, surgical scar revision, fillers or concealing cosmetics. Almost any scar can be improved to some degree with the proper treatment.
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Sun DamageExcessive long-term sun exposure can cause excess pigmentation, dry itchy skin, premature aging, and, of course, skin cancers. Dr. Ecker may recommend moisturizing, lifestyle changes, or topical treatments for this common problem. If you have cosmetic concerns, Dr. Ecker can perform a chemical peel, laser skin rejuvenation, or injectable treatments, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers. For your health and wellbeing, Dr. Ecker will also monitor and test your skin for signs of skin cancer.
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WartsIf you have had a wart for several months and it has not responded to at-home methods, we recommend that you visit us for treatment. After evaluating your skin, Dr. Ecker may recommend one of several possible treatments including cryotherapy, laser therapy, and topical prescription medications. Some warts may require a combination of treatments or repeated procedures to go away completely. Since they result from a virus, warts may also spread if untreated or recur after removal.
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