Noticing a rash is sometimes an alarming experience, especially if you are unsure of its cause. Though these irritating conditions are usually nothing to worry about, they can sometimes indicate an underlying condition or allergy. Find out more about rashes, different types of skin irritations, and what they mean for you by reading below, and if you require personal care for a rash or other skin condition, contact Dr. Vernon Mackey at Advanced Desert Dermatology in Peoria, AZ, today!

Types of Rashes
From allergic reactions to eczema, rashes can come from many different sources, some innocuous, others rather harmful. Knowing the kind of rash you are experiencing and how to handle it can help you determine whether or not you should see your doctor:

• Eczema: Eczema causes yellow or white scaly patches of skin. They are often red, oily, raised, and hair loss causing.
• Impetigo: This contagious bacterial infection causes fluid-filled sores and a crusty rash.
• Allergic reaction: An allergic reaction often comes in the form of hives, which are large red welts on the skin. Certain foods, contact with a certain substance, or even seasonal allergies can cause hives.
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease: Most common in children under five, this condition causes red blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth.
• Psoriasis: Psoriasis causes silvery, scaly patches of skin and is commonly found on the scalp, elbows, and knees.
• Chickenpox: This childhood illness causes clusters of fluid-filled, itchy blisters all over the body, and it is contagious until the blisters have crusted over.

When should I see my doctor?
Often, rashes are nothing to worry about and will go away on their own in just a day or two. However, if your rash becomes severe, begins affecting your daily life, or comes with a fever, you should come visit our Peoria office. Additionally, if the rash is all over the body or comes on suddenly, you should seek medical attention.

Concerned? Call today!
Your doctor can help you determine if your rash is a health risk or simply an irritation. Find out more about your rash and its treatments with Dr. Vernon Mackey at Advanced Desert Dermatology in Peoria, AZ. Call (623) 977-6700 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Mackey today!

Could those rough, white bumps actually be Keratosis Pilaris?

If you are dealing with rough patches of skin on your body, then you may be dealing with a condition known as keratosis pilaris. While this is a fairly common and non­threatening dermatological issue it can be hard to effectively treat. Luckily, most cases of keratosis pilaris go away by the age of 30. However, find out everything you need to know about this condition and how to manage your symptoms properly.

Are you noticing any of these symptoms?

• Rough, scaly patches that are sometimes itchy
• White or red bumps that look like acne
• Bumps on the arms, legs, cheeks or butt
• An increase in symptoms during the winter

If you’ve said “yes” to any of these symptoms above, then your bumps may be the result of keratosis pilaris. Luckily, this isn’t a serious condition and often won’t require treatment. However, some people feel embarrassed by how their skin looks. If this is the case, then consult your dermatologist.

Keratosis Pilaris Treatments

There is no one treatment that effectively helps those with keratosis pilaris. However, your dermatologist might recommend a medicated exfoliant, a retinoid cream or gel, or laser treatment. While using these medications may improve the look of your skin, if you stop taking this medication there is a significant chance that the problem will return. The biggest issue with this dermatological condition is that it lasts for many years.

Self­Care Measures for Keratosis Pilaris

While your treatment options might not sound ideal, there are also some easy things you can do at home that can improve the look of your skin.

• Avoid scrubbing or rubbing your skin, which can further aggravate your condition.
• Always pat your skin dry and never rub. This will also help to maintain moisture.Apply a moisturizer after getting out of the shower. This can further help to improve the appearance of dry, irritated skin.
• Look for products with urea or lactic acid. Both of these ingredients can be found in over-the­counter skin care products and they remove excess keratin from the outermost layer of the skin.

Talk to your dermatologist about which prescription medications and lifestyle changes would improve your condition. Even though this condition isn’t serious you can still seek medical advice and treatments to help with your problem.

Maintaining your health isn't just about eating a healthy diet and exercising. It's also important to have regular checkups with your various medical practitioners, including Dr. Vernon Thomas Mackey of Advanced Desert Dermatology in Peoria, Arizona. These appointments, usually made yearly, are to check your skin for any types of skin cancer that may have developed. Below are some details about skin cancer and its treatment.

Causes

It's common knowledge that prolonged sun exposure can lead to skin cancer. That's why people with fair skin who work outside or live in sunny areas of the world are at particular risk for developing lesions. However, many people are under the impression that tanning beds are a safe alternative to the sun. This is false; tanning beds actually transmit 12 times as many UVA rays than natural sunlight. As you might have guessed, genetics also play a part in developing skin cancer. So if an immediate family member has had skin cancer, it's important to have regular checkups with Dr. Mackey at Advanced Desert Dermatology.

Symptoms

The various types of skin cancer often produce specific symptoms that your Peoria dermatologist has special training to recognize. In general, an existing mole that develops redness, bleeding, or swelling should be examined, as should new growths that have similar properties. You can monitor changes on your skin at home by performing self-checks in the mirror once a month. Dr. Mackey can show you the best, most thorough way to perform these skin checks on yourself or a family member.

Treatment

The good news is that skin cancer, when caught early, is almost always curable. The way it's treated and managed depends on a number of factors; in general, treatment begins with surgical removal of the suspect lesion and the margins around it. The sample's properties will be evaluated in a laboratory and the results reported to your Peoria dermatologist. In many cases, no further treatment is needed. Other forms of skin cancer may require further excision or medical therapy.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mackey, your dermatologist in Peoria, Arizona, contact Advanced Desert Dermatology today!

The Benefits of Botox

Want to erase the signs of aging this year? Millions of men and women are discovering the benefits of BOTOX treatments. BOTOX is a medicine that is injected into muscles to erase the signs of aging and treat certain conditions. Dermatologists are physicians who are trained in diagnosing and treating conditions and diseases of the skin. BOTOX is available from dermatologists. Read on to learn about the benefits of BOTOX.

1. It rejuvenates the skin.

BOTOX treatment is an excellent adjunct for rejuvenation of the face. BOTOX should be considered in addition to laser therapy, skin care, chemical peels, and resurfacing to improve the appearance of the face. It tightens and rejuvenizes your skin to help you look and feel younger. 

2. It can remove your wrinkles.

BOTOX works by blocking nerve impulses that cause muscles to contract and cause wrinkles. It's commonly injected into the face to eliminate wrinkles. Many patients who get BOTOX treatments can experience an improved complexion without the need for surgery. 

3. It can erase smile lines.

For most people, nasolabial folds— also known as smile lines— are nothing to smile about. Smile lines are fine lines that primarily develop around the sides of your mouth. They are more noticeable when you laugh or smile. BOTOX can reduce the appearance of smile lines. BOTOX can improve your look with minimal to no downtime. You will be able to go about your normal routine immediately after your treatment.

4. It can make crow's feet disappear.

Before you know it, crow's feet can leave you looking older than you feel. Crow’s feet are the lines that appear around the eyes. BOTOX is injected into crow’s feet with a tiny needle to improve the skin’s appearance. You may begin to notice the results of your BOTOX treatment within a few days, with results lasting up to 4 months.

Ready for an anti-aging makeover? Say yes to BOTOX! Find a dermatologist near you and schedule a consultation. BOTOX has helped many people enhance their appearance, giving them more self-confidence and improving their lives. And it will do the same for you.

Find out what this autoimmune disorder means for your skin health.

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, approximately 1.5 million Americans and five million people globally have some form of lupus. While lupus can affect both men and women, about 90 percent of those with diagnosed lupus are women between the ages of 15 to 44. Even though this chronic autoimmune disease affects millions, significantly less than half of people are actually somewhat familiar with the disease. 

So, what exactly is lupus, how can you contract this disorder and what treatment options are available?

About Lupus

Our immune system is meant to attack foreign agents in our body to fight diseases and other infections. However, if you have been diagnosed with lupus then your immune system actually responds by attacking the healthy cells within your body. This ultimately causes damage to certain organs in the body like your heart, skin and brain.

There are different types of lupus; however, the most common form is systemic lupus erythematosis. Discoid lupus is known for causing a persistent skin rash, subacute cutaneous lupus causes skin sores when exposed to the sun, drug­induced lupus is the result of a certain medication and neonatal lupus affects infants.

Know that you aren’t alone when it comes to handling your lupus symptoms. While symptoms can be severe and affect your daily life talk to your dermatologist about the best ways to reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Lupus Risk Factors

While anyone can develop lupus, women are more likely to develop this condition. Also, African American, Hispanic, Native American and Asian women are at an increased risk over Caucasian women. While the cause is unknown, some research has found that perhaps genes play an influential role in the development of lupus; however, there are several factors that could be at play.

Lupus Symptoms

Those with lupus may experience some or all of these symptoms:

• Muscle aches and pains
• Joint pain and swelling
• Skin rashes, most commonly found on the face
• Fever
• Chest pain when breathing deeply
• Loss of hair
• Pale fingers and toes
• Sun sensitivity
• Mouth sores
• Extreme fatigue
• Leg or eye swelling
• Swollen glands

These symptoms may not be present all the time. Those with lupus have flare­ups in which the symptoms will appear for a little while and then go away. Also new symptoms may also arise at any time.

Lupus Treatments

If you’ve been diagnosed with lupus then you will most likely need to see several specialists regarding your condition. If you are dealing with skin sores and rashes, then you will want to talk to your dermatologist about the best treatment plan for you. About 40 to 70 percent of those with lupus experience symptoms when exposed to sunlight.

When you come in our office for treatment our goal is to find certain medications that can reduce pain, swelling and redness and prevent further flare­ups. Furthermore, we will recommend a sunscreen and other lifestyle changes that can help to protect your skin from damaging sun exposure.