What Are Some Of The Most Common Skin Conditions You Treat?

There are a wide variety of skin conditions, which can also present in varying levels of severity. Here are a few of the most common issues we treat at Premier Medical Associates:

• Acne, in which your hair follicles become blocked with oil and dead skin. Acne, though common, can be severe and require medical attention.
• Eczema, a common condition resulting in a red, itchy, skin-cracking rash.
• Hair loss, which can happen for a variety of reasons, including more serious underlying conditions.
• Skin cancer, the most common of all cancers, which needs to be examined and treated as quickly as possible.
• Psoriasis, a condition that manifests in scaly, itchy patches of skin.
• Skin rash, which can appear for various reasons, including allergic contact.
• Warts, a harmless but unsightly and contagious viral infection of the skin.

It’s important to know that certain types of rash, as well as hair loss, are also sometimes symptoms of another underlying condition. These issues will require coordinated care to properly address your specific health needs.

I’m Concerned About A Spot On My skin. Is This Cancer?

Skin cancer comes in three different types. Each of the types of skin cancer has different signs to look for, and they vary from easily treatable to immediately dangerous:

• Basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, is also the least dangerous kind. It appears as a dry, scaly lump or may look like an unhealed sore.
• Squamous cell carcinoma, which can spread if left untreated, typically appears on areas that are exposed to the sun. It usually looks like a thick, red, crusty spot that may bleed.
• Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, appears as a blotchy, abnormal spot and can become life-threatening extremely quickly.

We recommend using the “ABCDE” rule to look for signs of melanoma in moles and on the skin:

• A - Asymmetry (one half of the mole doesn't match the other)
• B - Border irregularity
• C - Color that is not uniform
• D - Diameter greater than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)
• E - Evolving size, shape or color

What Should I Expect From A Visit With Your Team? Will I Need Surgery For My skin Condition?

Premier Medical Associates, an affiliate of the Allegheny Health Network, is the largest multi-specialty physician practice in the Greater Pittsburgh area. Our dermatologist provides medical and surgical treatment for a wide range of conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails, such as acne, eczema, hair loss, skin cancer, psoriasis, rashes, and warts.

Our team will discuss your individual treatment plan for your specific condition with you during your appointment; however, the two most common health issues that may result in surgery are skin cancer and warts.

If you have concerns about cancerous moles or any other new spot you find on your skin, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment and have it examined - the quicker skin cancer is detected and treated, the more likely it is that the cancer can be removed. Warts are not dangerous or cancerous, and we always recommend trying less invasive treatments first - however, if a wart becomes extremely stubborn or you would prefer to lose it immediately, we can remove it surgically.