Macaione & Papa

Useful information on many dermatology topics:

American Academy of Dermatology
- http://www.aad.org
Skincare Physicians
- http:// www.skincarephysicians.com
American College of Mohs Surgery
- http://www.mohscollege.org

Information on specific disorders; many of these sites include both medical information and support groups:

Acne
- http://www.skincarephysicians.com/acnenet
Actinic keratoses
- http://www.skincarephysicians.com/actinickeratosesnet
Aging skin
- http://www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet
Alopecia
- http://www.alopeciaareata.com
Congenital nevi (moles present at birth)
- http://www.nevus.org
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, including mycosis fungoides
- http://www.mffoundation.org
Dermatitis Herpetiformis (information on gluten-free diets)
- http://www.gluten.net
Eczema
- http://www.nationaleczema.org
- http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet
Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosis)
- http://www.lupus.org
Melanoma
- http://www.melanoma.com
- http://www.skincarephysicians.com/melanomanet
Pemphigus (a chronic blistering disease )
- http://www.pemphigus.org
Porphyria (a group of genetic disorders)
- http://www.porphyriafoundation.com
Psoriasis
- http://www.psoriasis.org
- http://www.skincarephysicians.com/psoriasisnet
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/psasis.html
Rosacea
Skin Cancer
- http://www.skincancer.org
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
- http://www.tsalliance.org
Vitiligo
- http://www.nvfi.org

Definitioner

Rosacea

Rosacea is a facial rash that occurs in middle-aged men and women. It is tought to be related to an overgrowth of a mite that normally resides on the skin. Rosacea affects people mainly in the 30s and 40s, especially those with fair-skin, blue eyes and of Celtic origin. Rosacea used to be called "acne rosacea" but it is quite different from acne. The red spots and pustules are dome-shaped rather than pointed and there are no blackheads, whiteheads, deep cysts, or lumps. Sometimes the affected skin is swollen and hot. Rosacea affects the cheeks, nose and forehead , rarely it involves the trunk and upper limbs. Facial creams or oils, and topical steroids may aggravate it.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a disorder of the skin, which typically consists of red plaques covered by silvery-white scales. These red scaly patches are usually found on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. When psoriasis involves the groin, armpits, and genital area and beneath the breasts it tends to be less scaly and have a glazed appearance. Psoriasis infrequently affects the face. It does not cause scarring and rarely results in hair loss. Psoriasis is common, affecting approximately 2% of adults. Its exact cause is unknown but the result is skin, which grows about seven times quicker and thicker than usual. It is thought to be due, at least in part, to an abnormal immune reaction against some component of the skin. Genetic factors play a part; only some families develop the condition, and about half those affected know of someone else in the family with it. The rash often seems to start after some sort of trigger factor. This may be emotional stress, skin injury (cuts and scratches for example), a streptococcal sore throat, hormones (it often first occurs at puberty), or rarely, certain medications. These factors should be avoided whenever possible by people with psoriasis. Psoriasis is not an allergy, nor is it infectious to others.

Pemphigus

Pemphigus (pemphigus vulgaris) is an auto-immune disease in which the body produces antibodies to the skin cells in the epidermis resulting in flacid blisters of the skin and mucous membranes. This may result in serious complications and requires the use of oral immunosupressive drugs, including prednisone.

Nevi

Nevi is also known as a Mole. Moles are common skin lesions. Moles (correctly called melanocytic or pigmented nevi) may be flat or protruding. They vary in color from pink flesh tones to dark brown or black. The number of moles a person has depends on genetic factors and on sun exposure. Moles begin to grow in infancy but new ones can appear at any age, sometimes in crops. Moles may darken following sun exposure or during pregnancy. During adulthood they often lose their pigmentation, and may disappear altogether in old age.

Moles

Moles are common harmless skin lesions. Moles (melanocytic nevi) may be flat or protruding. They vary in color from pink flesh tones to dark brown or black. The number of moles a person has depends on genetic factors and on sun exposure. Moles begin to grow in infancy but new ones can appear at any age, sometimes in crops. Moles may darken following sun exposure or during pregnancy. During adulthood they often lose their pigmentation, and may disappear altogether in old age.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a serious skin cancer, which is curable if detected early. Melanoma grows from pigment cells (melanocytes) in the outer layer of the skin and mucous membranes (epidermis). Although melanoma usually starts as a skin lesion, occasionally it occurs in other parts of the body such as the eye, mouth or vagina. Melanoma tends to spread out within the epidermis before moving into the deeper layer of the skin (the dermis). It can occur in adults of any age.

Lupus

Lupus Erythematosis is an auto-immune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the nuclear proteins within the cells of the skin and other organs. Affected areas can result in permanent scarring, pigment loss and baldness. Treatment includes sunscreen, steroids, and immune altering medications.

Dermatitis

The terms “dermatitis” and “eczema” are often used interchangeably. Dermatitis can be “acute” or “chronic” or both. Acute eczema refers to a rapidly evolving red rash, which may be blistered and swollen. Chronic dermatitis refers to a longstanding irritable area. It is often darker than the surrounding skin, thickened and much scratched. Dermatitis affects about one in every five people at some time in their lives. It results from a variety of different causes and has various patterns.

Aging Skin

As the body ages, the appearance and characteristics of the skin alter. Aging is accelerated in skin exposed to sunlight (ultraviolet radiation), a process known as ‘photoaging.’ This is particularly apparent on the face, and occurs at an early age in fair skinned people who have spent much time outdoors. The result of photoaging is lines and wrinkles, brown freckles called lentigos, yellowing of the skin, dilated capillaries (telangiectases), blackheads and whiteheads (senile comedones) and a dry complexion. Aging skin should be regularly examined for precancerous and cancerous lesions. Photodamaged skin can be treated laser therapy.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a condition in which pigment cells are destroyed by cells of the immune system, resulting in irregularly shaped white patches on the skin. Any part of the body may be affected. Common sites are exposed areas (face, neck, eyes, nostrils, nipples, navel, genitalia), body folds (armpits, groin). Also, sites of injury (cuts, scrapes, burns), around pigmented moles, hair (early greying of hair on scalp and body), and the retina.

Eczema

Eczema affects about one in every five people at some time in their lives. It results from a variety of different causes and has various patterns. The terms "dermatitis" and "eczema" are often used interchangeably. Dermatitis can be "acute" or "chronic" or both. Acute eczema refers to a rapidly evolving red rash, which may be blistered and swollen. Chronic dermatitis refers to a longstanding irritable area. It is often darker than the surrounding skin, thickened and much scratched. It is typically triggered by an irritating soap, hot water, a fragrance and even stress.

Acne

Acne is chronic inflammation of the pilosebaceous units (hair follicle and oil gland) of the face and trunk that commonly begins during adolescence. Acne presents clinically with comedones, papules, nodules, cysts or papulopustules, sometimes followed by pitted or hypertrophic scars. An overproduction of oil, an overgrowth of P. acne bateria and a clogging of the pores are the main cause acne. This condition can be aggravated by stress, illness or comedogenic cosmetics. It is unclear as to whether diet plays a direct role in acne

Macaione & Papa

Skin Conditions

Useful information on many dermatology topics:

Information on specific disorders; many of these sites include both medical information and support groups: