The American Cancer Society estimates that there could be over 115,000 new skin cancer cases in 2021. Understanding your treatment options for skin cancer in Peoria, AZ, can help you make informed decisions about your health. Your dermatologist, Dr. Vernon Mackey of Advanced Desert Dermatology can explain your skin cancer prevention and treatment options.
Surgery
Surgery is a common skin cancer treatment. Your dermatologist can perform this procedure in their office to remove the cancer cells and surrounding skin. This procedure occurs under local anesthesia so you don't have to worry about pain.
Topical therapy
These non-surgical treatments are sometimes carried out with other skin cancer treatments that target and destroy skin cancer cells. Topical therapies that your dermatologist could prescribe for your skin cancer in Peoria, AZ, include:
- Photodynamic therapy. Your dermatologist applies light-sensitive medication to your skin cancer and activates it with light to kill cancer cells.
- Topical chemotherapy. Using this therapy, your dermatologist applies a chemotherapeutic agent to the skin cancer for 3-12 weeks. It's typically effective against superficial cancers.
- Immune response modifiers. They act by stimulating your immune system to fight skin cancer.
Chemotherapy
For advanced skin cancers, your dermatologist might prescribe chemotherapy. Your medical team at Advanced Desert Dermatology will develop personalized chemotherapeutic therapy for your skin cancer.
Radiation therapy
Following surgery, your dermatologist might recommend radiation therapy to clear up remaining cancer cells especially in areas where they removed lymph nodes. Radiation therapy could also help treat metastases if cancer comes back. Radiation therapies for skin cancer include:
- External beam radiation therapy
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy
- Tomo therapy
Targeted therapies
Targeted therapies work by acting on specific features of your cancer cell that distinguish them from healthy cells. These features include specific gene mutations and proteins. These therapies kill cancer cells or improve the efficacy of chemotherapy.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy activates your immune system to kill cancer cells. Cytokines and checkpoint inhibitors are immunotherapy drugs that your dermatologist might recommend for your skin cancer treatment.
Want to learn more about skin cancer in Peoria, AZ?
Schedule a consultation with your dermatologist, Dr. Mackey, of Advanced Desert Dermatology by calling (623) 977-6700.
It can be incredibly distressing when you start to lose your hair unexpectedly. Alopecia is something that affects both men and women and this autoimmune disorder causes patches of hair to fall out. This condition is most often found in women under 30.If you develop alopecia you may want to point a finger at your genetics. In fact, both parents have the ability to pass down alopecia to their children. So, if you have a family member with alopecia areata then you may be more likely to develop this condition at some point during your lifetime. Of course, genetics isn’t the only factor that plays a role in whether or not you develop alopecia. There are other deciding factors, as well.
As we mentioned above, alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the body attacks the hair follicles, causing them to slow or even halt hair growth. There are different kinds of alopecia and people experience different symptom severities. Some people may notice hair regrowth in a few months while others may not. Again, you must have a dermatologist that you can turn to for answers.
While there is no cure, there are treatment options out there that can help stimulate hair growth and reduce the immune system response. The type and severity of your alopecia, along with your age and the severity of your hair loss will play major roles in what types of treatment options are best for you. This is something that a skincare professional can discuss with you during your consultation.
- Topical or injectable corticosteroids
- Minoxidil solution (applied to the scalp to regrow hair)
- Anthralin cream
- Oral steroids
- Immunomodulatory medications
- Topical immunotherapy
A dermatologist can help you get beautiful, healthy skin. When you aren’t dealing with skin problems you may not think too much about seeing a dermatologist but having a skin doctor can be particularly important even if you aren’t experiencing issues. After all, your Peoria, AZ, dermatologists aren’t just here to diagnose and treat a wide range of skin problems. They can also help you prevent problems from happening in the first place. Some of the most common reasons people visit a dermatologist include:
- Acne
- Eczema
- Rosacea
- Warts
- Rashes
- Hair loss
What are the benefits of having a dermatologist that you can turn to in Peoria, AZ?
Find Out What’s Going On Quickly
Dealing with sudden hair loss? Have a painful rash that doesn’t seem to be going away? These can be unnerving symptoms and you could spend all day googling your symptoms and looking at images, or you could simply talk with your dermatologist to get a fast, accurate answer. We know just how important it is to find out what’s going on so you can get the right treatment and our team of dermatologists can give you the answers you’re looking for.
Get Clear Skin
Acne is one of the most common problems that bring patients of all ages into our office. Most people try over-the-counter cleansers but don’t always see results. While these cleansers can work for some forms of acne, you aren’t going to see effective results until you find the treatment that’s going to target the underlying cause of your acne. We can figure out the cause of your acne and then provide you with everything from medications to laser therapy and chemical peels to help ease acne symptoms.
Protect Against Skin Cancer
As many as one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Of course, you and your dermatologist can both do your part to protect against skin cancer. Along with wearing sunscreen every day and applying it properly, our team of dermatologists can also perform annual skin cancer screenings to catch precancerous and cancerous growths and lesions early on.
If you are looking for a dermatologist here in Peoria, AZ, that can provide you or your family with the comprehensive skincare they need then simply call Advanced Desert Dermatology today at 623-977-6700.
From coming in contact with poison ivy to dealing with a high dose of stress, there are many reasons a rash might appear. Most of the time, a rash will go away on its own without treatment; however, it’s also important to recognize when a rash may warrant turning to a dermatologist for treatment.What causes rashes?
There are so many reasons why a rash may surface. Rashes may be the result of a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, or it could be caused by an allergy. Common causes of a rash include,
- Atopic or contact dermatitis
- Eczema
- Pityriasis rosea
- Hives
- Insect bites and stings
- Poison ivy, oak, or sumac
- Rosacea
- Measles
- Ringworm
- Impetigo
- Psoriasis
- Diaper rash
- Shingles
- Lichen planus
- Chickenpox
- Lupus
- Scabies
- Allergy to a drug/medication
Most rashes are mild, self-limiting, and can be treated on your own without having to turn to a doctor. Some ways to ease a rash and promote faster healing is by,
- Using only gentle cleansers and soaps that do not contain harsh chemicals or fragrances
- Avoiding hot water and only using lukewarm or cold water
- Being gentle when cleansing, bathing, and handling the skin
- Not covering the rash (let it breathe)
- Using only unscented products
- Applying calamine lotion to control itching
- Using hydrocortisone cream to reduce itchiness, swelling, and redness
- Not scratching the rash, as this can lead to an infection
It’s important to recognize when a rash probably requires medical attention. You should schedule an appointment with your dermatologist if,
- The rash is widespread and takes over most of your body (this could be a sign of an allergic reaction, which requires immediate attention)
- The rash is spreading quickly and suddenly
- Your rash is accompanied by a fever (this is often a sign of serious infection)
- The rash is painful or contains blisters
- There are signs of infection such as oozing, crusting, or skin that’s warm to the touch
When we think of skin disorders, we most often assume that these are problems that mostly adults deal with; however, children and teens can also deal with a wide range of skin problems. One of them is atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis, also referred to as pediatric eczema, is a chronic skin problem that causes flare-ups of itchy, dry, red skin.What causes atopic dermatitis in children?
Atopic dermatitis is surprisingly common among newborns and kids. Certain factors may play a role in whether your child develops atopic dermatitis. Some of these factors include genetics, weather, environment, temperature, and allergies. If dermatitis runs in your family then your child may be more at risk.
What are the signs of pediatric atopic dermatitis?
Not sure if your child is dealing with atopic dermatitis? Many of the symptoms are not unique to atopic dermatitis so it can be difficult to tell. This is why it’s important to turn to a qualified dermatologist if your child is dealing with any of these issues,
- Dry skin
- Intensely itchy skin
- Thick, red, or swollen skin
- Fluid-filled or crusty bumps on the skin
- Rough bumps on the face or arms
- Hives
There are several factors that a dermatologist will need to take into account to determine the best treatment plan for your child. Factors such as their overall health as well as the severity of their symptoms will play roles in the type of treatments we recommend. Your child’s treatment plan will include,
- Avoiding known irritants and triggers such as certain soaps, detergents, and allergens (e.g., pet danger)
- Keeping your child’s nails trim to prevent scratching and infection
- Using gentle cleansers and products on your child’s skin
- Corticosteroid creams
- Antihistamines
- Phototherapy (light therapy)
- Biologics (strong medications used only in severe and unresponsive cases)
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