Charlottesville Dermatology specializes in diagnosis and treatment
of general skin conditions for children and adults, such as:
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For more information about these and other conditions, check out
our Resources page.
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Acne
Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads),
pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on
the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms.
Acne is a common skin condition caused by inflammation of the hair
follicles and oil-producing (sebaceous) glands of the skin. Acne
may begin during puberty, and affects about 80 percent of all adolescents
as well as many adults.
Allergic Skin Conditions
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Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a form of skin inflammation that occurs
because the skin has been exposed to a substance that irritates
it or that causes an allergic reaction. A long list of natural
and synthetic chemicals can trigger contact dermatitis, including
those found in soaps, household cleaners, laundry detergents,
metal jewelry, perfumes, industrial solvents, cosmetics, fabric
finishes, shampoos, plants and even antibiotic ointments. As
a result, the problem can develop in an almost endless variety
of ways. |
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Hives
Hives, also called urticaria, are rounded or oval swellings
(bumps) on the skin that often are itchy. Sometimes they are
red, but they don't have to be. Hives happen when the cells
in the skin called mast cells release histamine, a chemical
that causes tiny blood vessels (capillaries) to leak fluid.
When this leaking fluid accumulates in the skin, it forms the
small swellings that we recognize as hives. Hives can be triggered
by physical factors such as heat, cold, exercise, sunlight,
stress, sustained pressure on a skin area such as pressure from
a belt or shoulder strap, a sudden increase in body temperature
caused by a fever or a hot bath or shower, or an irritating
chemical, cosmetic or soap applied to the skin. Hives also can
be one symptom of a systemic (whole-body) allergic reaction
to something that was inhaled, injested or injected. |
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Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac
Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac belong to the cashew
family. The tissues of all these plants contain a poisonous
oil, Urushiol that is extremely irritating to the skin. It may
be brushed onto the clothing or skin of people coming in contact
with the plants. The first symptom is a severe itching of the
skin, followed by a red inflammation and blistering. In severe
cases, oozing sores develop. |
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Collagen Vascular Disease
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Lupus
Lupus is a disorder of the immune system known as an autoimmune
disease. In autoimmune diseases, the body harms its own healthy
cells and tissues. This leads to inflammation and damage to
various body tissues. Lupus can affect many parts of the body,
including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels,
and brain. Some of the most common symptoms include extreme
fatigue, painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained
fever, skin rashes, and kidney problems. |
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Scleroderma
Scleroderma literally means hard skin. Though it is often referred
to as if it were a single disease, scleroderma is really a symptom
of a group of diseases that involve the abnormal growth of connective
tissue, which supports the skin and internal organs. In some
forms of scleroderma, hard, tight skin is the extent of this
abnormal process. In other forms, however, the problem goes
much deeper, affecting blood vessels and internal organs, such
as the heart, lungs, and kidneys. |
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects
the skin. It is not contagious; it cannot be passed from one person
to another. The word "dermatitis" means inflammation of
the skin. "Atopic" refers to a group of diseases where
there is often an inherited tendency to develop other allergic conditions,
such as asthma and hay fever. In atopic dermatitis, the skin becomes
extremely itchy. Scratching leads to redness, swelling, cracking,
"weeping" clear fluid, and finally, crusting and scaling.
Atopic dermatitis is often referred to as "eczema," which
is a general term for the several types of inflammation of the skin.
Atopic dermatitis is the most common of the many types of eczema.
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Fungal Infections
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Ringworm
Ringworm is a contagious fungus infection that can affect the
scalp, the body, the feet (athlete's foot), or the nails. Ringworm
is caused by several different fungus organisms that all belong
to a group called "Dermatophytes." The name comes
from the characteristic red ring that can appear on an infected
person's skin. People can get ringworm from: direct skin-to-skin
contact with an infected person or pet, indirect contact with
an object or surface that an infected person or pet has touched,
or rarely, by contact with soil. |
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Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis)
Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a common foot
infection caused by fungi called dermatophytes. Dermatophytes
are especially common in the warm, moist environments of pools,
showers, locker rooms and other sports facilities, where athletes
(and other active people) walk with bare feet. Once dermatophytes
contaminate the skin of someone's foot, the warm, moist environment
of sweaty socks and closed shoes contribute to their growth. |
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Jock Itch (Tinea Cruris)
Tinea cruris is a common fungal infection that affects the groin
and inner thighs and often is experienced by athletes. Jock
itch can develop when tight garments trap moisture and heat,
which creates an environment in which fungi multiply and flourish.
It occurs more commonly in men, but can affect women as well.
The jock-itch fungus also may cause a rash on the upper and
inner thighs, the armpits, the area just underneath the breasts,
and the feet (athlete's foot). Many people with tinea cruris
also have athlete's foot. |
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Toenail Fungus (Onychomycosis)
A fingernail or toenail infection that is caused by a fungus
is called onychomycosis. Toenails are more likely to become
infected than fingernails. This infection can make nails thick
and discolored and may cause pain in the toes or fingertips. |
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Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicolor is a common skin condition due to overgrowth
of a skin surface yeast that results in uneven skin color (spots)
and scaling that can be unsightly and sometimes itch. The yeast
normally lives in the pores of the skin and thrives in oily
areas such as the neck, upper chest, and back. |
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Hair Loss (Alopecia)
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Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a highly unpredictable, autoimmune skin disease
resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on
the body. The disease causes the affected hair follicles to
be mistakenly attacked by a person's own immune system (white
blood cells), resulting in the arrest of the hair growth stage.
Alopecia areata usually starts with one or more small, round,
smooth bald patches on the scalp and can progress to total scalp
hair loss (alopecia totalis) or complete body hair loss (alopecia
universalis). |
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Hereditary Baldness (Androgenic Alopecia)
Hereditary baldness, also known as male pattern baldness, is
the most common type of hair loss for men and also occurs in
women. It is thought to be hereditary and is also dependent
on the extent to which the male hormone testosterone is converted
in the scalp to another hormone dihydroxytestosterone. How quickly
or slowly baldness develops, and the pattern of hair loss, appear
to be genetically determined. Male baldness usually begins with
progressive thinning at the hairline, followed by the appearance
of a thinned or bald spot on the crown of the head. Women with
hereditary baldness experience a general thinning of their hair. |
Herpes & Shingles
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Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex
virus, and is almost always sexually transmitted. The symptoms
and severity of outbreaks can vary greatly from person to person.
Some people experience severe outbreaks, with very painful burning
and sores in the genital area, while others have milder symptoms
such as itching and redness during an outbreak, or no symptoms
at all. Once infected, the virus enters the body, travels to
the bundle of nerves at the base of the spine, and lies dormant
(inactive). Once the virus becomes active, it travels along
nerve paths back to the surface of the skin, where it may cause
an outbreak of sores and blisters. |
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Herpes Simplex Type 1
Herpes simplex type 1 is a viral infection of the skin that
causes cold sores and fever blisters on the lips and around
the mouth. The first symptom is itchiness and tingling at the
site of the developing infection, usually on the edge of the
lips. Blisters soon appear and later burst to become crusted
sores. Often accompanied by fever. Tends to clear up in a few
days. |
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Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus,
which is the virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles occurs in
people who have had chickenpox and represents a reactivation
of the dormant varicella-zoster virus. The disease generally
affects the elderly, although it occasionally occurs in younger
and/or immunodeficient individuals. The first sign is usually
a tingling feeling, itchiness, or stabbing pain on the skin.
After a few days, a rash appears as a band or patch of raised
dots on the side of the trunk or face. The rash develops into
small, fluid-filled blisters which begin to dry out and crust
over within several days. When the rash is at its peak, symptoms
can range from mild itching to extreme and intense pain. Contact
with a person with shingles may cause chickenpox (but not shingles)
in someone who has never had chickenpox before. |
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Insect Bites and Stings
The majority of insect stings in the U.S. come from yellow jackets,
hornets, wasps, bees, and fire ants. An allergic reaction to an
insect sting can occur immediately, within minutes, or even hours
after the sting. Such a reaction is characterized by hives, itchiness,
and swelling in areas other than the sting site, difficulty in breathing,
dizziness or a sharp drop in blood pressure, nausea, cramps or diarrhea,
unconsciousness and cardiac arrest. Tick bites can cause Lyme disease.
Usually a flat, reddish rash spreads from the site of the tick bite,
and there may be more generalized body symptoms, such as fever,
muscle aches, fatigue and headache.
Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus is a rare skin disorder that can affect men, women,
or children, but is most common in women. It usually occurs on the
vulva (the outer genitalia or sex organ) in women, but sometimes
develops on the head of the penis in men. Occasionally, lichen sclerosus
is seen on other parts of the body, especially the upper body, breasts,
and upper arms. It begins as small, subtle white spots and develops
into bigger patches with the skin surface becomes thinned and crinkled.
Symptoms are most often mild and go away over time.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, genetic, noncontagious skin disorder that
appears in many different forms and can affect any part of the body.
It is most commonly found on the scalp, elbows, knees, hands, feet,
and genitals. Psoriasis may be one of several types: plaque psoriasis,
pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, guttate psoriasis or
inverse psoriasis. In its various forms, it may be characterized
by itching, swelling, redness, scaly patches, blisters and/or bumps.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic disease that affects the skin and sometimes
the eyes. The disorder is characterized by redness, pimples, and,
in advanced stages, thickened skin. Rosacea usually affects the
face; other parts of the upper body are only rarely involved.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a disease that causes flaking of the skin.
It usually affects the scalp. In adolescents and adults, it is commonly
called "dandruff." In babies, it is known as "cradle
cap."
Seborrheic dermatitis can also affect the skin on other parts of
the body, such as the face and chest, and the creases of the arms,
legs and groin. Seborrheic dermatitis usually causes the skin to
look a little greasy and scaly or flaky.
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Skin Infections
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Warts
Warts are a type of infection caused by viruses in the human
papillomavirus (HPV) family. They can grow on all parts of the
body: the skin, the inside of the mouth, the genitals and rectal
area. Warts on the skin may be passed to another person when
that person touches the warts. It is also possible to get warts
from using towels or other objects that were used by a person
who has warts. Warts can easily be treated and removed. |
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Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum Contagiosum is a skin disease caused by the molluscum
contagiosum virus (MCV) usually causing one or more small lesions/bumps.
MCV is generally a benign infection and symptoms may self-resolve.
MCV was once a disease primarily of children, but it has evolved
to become a sexually transmitted disease in adults. It is believed
to be a member of the pox virus family. |
Varicose & Spider Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, painful superficial veins
resulting from poorly functioning valves. Blood remains in the vein
and pooling of blood causes the vein to enlarge. This process usually
occurs in the veins of the legs, although it may occur elsewhere.
Varicose veins are common, affecting mostly women. Causes include
congenitally defective valves, thrombophlebitis, and pregnancy.
Prolonged standing and increased pressure within the abdomen may
increase susceptibility to the development of varicose veins or
aggravate the condition.
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which the pigment cells (melanocytes)
in the skin, the mucous membranes, and the retina are destroyed.
As a result, white patches of skin appear on different parts of
the body. The hair that grows in areas affected by vitiligo usually
turns white. The cause of vitiligo is not known.
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Aging Skin Care Treatment
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Actinic Keratoses
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are the early beginnings of skin cancer.
This most common lesion of the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis)
is caused by long-term exposure to sunlight (specifically to ultraviolet
wavelengths). AKs are defined as a cutaneous dysplasia of the epidermis.
In everyday terms, AKs are an alteration in size, shape and organization
of skin cells.
Atypical Moles (Dysplastic Nevi)
About one out of every ten people has at least one unusual (or atypical)
mole that looks different from an ordinary mole. The medical term
for these unusual moles is dysplastic nevi. Doctors believe that
dysplastic nevi are more likely than ordinary moles to develop into
a type of skin cancer called melanoma. Because of this, moles should
be checked regularly by a doctor or nurse specialist, especially
if they look unusual, grow larger, or change in color, outline,
or in any other way.
Skin Cancer
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Melanoma
Melanoma is one of the most serious types of skin cancer because
advanced melanomas have the ability to spread to other parts
of the body. Melanoma begins when melanocytes (pigment cells)
gradually become more abnormal and divide without control or
order. These cells can invade and destroy the normal cells around
them. The abnormal cells form a growth of malignant tissue (a
cancerous tumor) on the surface of the skin. Melanoma can begin
either in an existing mole or as a new growth on the skin. |
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Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer
and of all cancers. One out of every three new cancers is a
skin cancer, and the vast majority are basal cell carcinomas.
This skin cancer usually appears as a small, fleshy bump or
nodule, most often on the head, neck, and hands. These cancers
arise in the basal cells, which are at the bottom of the epidermis
(outer skin layer). They usually do not spread to distant parts
of the body (metastasize). The only way to tell for sure if
a skin growth is cancerous is to biopsy it. If basal cell carcinoma
is discovered, it must be removed by surgery; often the cancer
is spread beneath the skin. Chronic exposure to sunlight is
the cause of almost all basal cell carcinomas. |
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer
after basal cell carcinoma. It arises from the epidermis and
resembles the squamous cells that comprise most of the upper
layers of skin. Squamous cell cancers may occur on all areas
of the body including the mucous membranes, but are most common
in areas exposed to the sun. Although squamous cell carcinomas
usually remain confined to the epidermis for some time, they
eventually penetrate the underlying tissues if not treated.
In a small percentage of cases, they spread (metastasize) to
distant tissues and organs. When this happens, they can be fatal.
Chronic exposure to sunlight causes most cases of squamous cell
carcinoma. |
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