November 9th, 2012

There are a number of people who, unfortunately, are suffering from acne. Acne is a skin condition that causes imperfections of the facial skin. It is usually associated with whiteheads, blackheads, and blemishes. Some cases of acne are more severe than other cases. However, regardless of the severity, acne can cause huge problems. Not only is acne unattractive, it can actually leave dark spots on the skin as well as scarring. Even when the acne goes away, it can end up leaving its nasty mark. Because acne is an embarrassing and frustrating problem to deal with, many people look to find a solution to help reduce and eliminate the acne altogether.

Self-Treatment 

For those looking for acne treatment in Austin TX, there are actually a number of different options. The first option for treatment would be acne self-treatment. There are tons of different over the counter products designed to combat acne and help to eliminate it completely. These products may or may not work. The truth is that some products work for some people while others simply do not help. There are tons of different brands to choose from. Some of those brands include:

• Neutrogena
• Clearasil
• Biore
• AcneFree

Dermatologists

These are just some of the different products that can be found in drugstores and different chain stores, including Wal-Mart, Target, and K-Mart, as well as your local dermatologist. Aside from self-treatment, there are several other options of acne treatment in Austin TX. A visit to an Austin dermatologist is highly recommended for someone who suffers from acne. A dermatologist can evaluate the facial skin to determine the severity of the acne and the best types of treatment. The dermatologist may prescribe an oral medication or a topical medication to help reduce and eliminate the acne. These types of products are usually much stronger than the over the counter products.

Spa Treatment

Some people prefer to visit the spa for certain services that can help improve the skin. Such services include glycolic acid peels, facials, and blackhead extractions. The glycolic acid peels often help to get rid of the dead skin cells while improving the surface skin and getting rid of the acne. There are tons of different facials offered by those who work at the spa, some of which may be specifically available for those with acne-prone skin. While acne is frustrating to deal with for anyone, there are tons of different options available, many of which can truly help to reduce the acne and get rid of it completely.

November 7th, 2012

When skin problems crop up and refuse to be easily solved, frustrated parties can look for professionals who can help them. In fact, the best Austin dermatologists will be able to solve a range of issues.

Suspicious Moles

If individuals notice, for example, that a mole has changed color or become more irregular, they will need to have it examined as soon as possible. Catching malignancies early on is the best way to ensure that they are removed in time. Dermatologists might in some cases perform a biopsy that will determine whether the mole is in fact cancerous. Even if it is benign, patients can still choose to have it removed with certain cutting-edge surgical techniques.

Acne

Though dermatologists are certainly lifesavers, the vast majority of their workload will involve the clearing up of skin blemishes and acne. Teenagers and young adults, for example, often fret about the pimples that have developed on their faces, necks, and backs. Professional skin doctors can often prescribe sophisticated chemical peels that will allow the acne to be cleared. Complete facial peels can be used on the most severe cases. When the acne has been cleared up, individuals should be happier in their daily lives and will likely project an improved self-image to others.

Rashes

Rashes can also rear up from time to time. With the right chemical agents, of course, most rashes can be cured in a few days. If individuals have an allergic reaction to something and find themselves covered with painful hives, they will need to see an expert right away.

Insect Bites

If home owners have multiple dogs running around the premises, they will likely experience a flea infestation at some point in their lives. Austin Texas dermatologists can provide certain chemical drips that will ease the discomfort. Prescription-strength aloes will also help with the itching that has surely developed around the bite marks themselves.

Warts

Dermatologists can also work with patients to develop treatment plans for warts. Warts can appear anywhere, but are most common on the fingers and the soles of the feet. In most cases, freezing techniques can be used to remove the warts. The session can be done in an hour or so and is not painful.

Wrap-Up

Ultimately, Austin Texas dermatologists can help men and women with all of their skin problems. Whether their issues are serious or mundane, a personalized treatment plan can be developed and set into action.

Check out our general services page for more information.

November 7th, 2012

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed today. A skin cancer is basically an abnormal growth of the skin cells. It typically occurs in the epidermis, which is the top layer of the skin. Skin cancers are named by the type of skin cell from which they originate. Therefore, the most common skin cancers seen today are termed basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma.

What Is Melanoma?

Melanomas are by far the most dangerous type of skin cancer, resulting in more deaths than the other types. However, like most skin cancers, melanomas are often caught early, thereby preventing complications and death. In fact, learning the abcd of skin cancer can dramatically decrease the length of time between the formation of a skin cancer and its detection since it describes how an abnormal skin lesion will appear. Abcd is a simple acronym that any person can learn and apply to themself.

What Is the Abcd of Skin Cancer?

The letter “a” stands for asymmetry. Most normal skin lesions, including moles, are symmetrical. This means that if they were cut in half, each side would look exactly the same and have the same shape. However, cancerous lesions are more often asymmetrical with both halves demonstrating different appearances.

The letter “b” stands for border. The border of a normal freckle or mole is usually smooth and even rounded. However, a cancerous lesion usually has a border that appears indistinct or fuzzy. It may appear that the color is beginning to spread into nearby skin cells. The border may also appear to be jagged.

The letter “c” stands for color. Normal lesions are all one hue whether they are light or dark. Cancerous lesions may display numerous colors or many shades of the same color such as blacks and browns.

The letter “d” stands for diameter. Although this characteristic is a bit less distinct than the others, most cancerous lesions are greater than six millimeters in diameter. This is often described as being larger than an eraser on the end of a pencil. On the other hand, if any other suspicious symptoms are present, a lesion that measures less than six millimeters should be thoroughly examined by a doctor as well.

Learning to recognize the abcd of skin cancer is a great tool in early detection of the disease. This is vitally important because many skin cancers can be completely eradicated if they are caught early enough. Each individual should bring their physician’s attention to any skin lesion that is asymmetrical, has an irregular border, has varying colors or has a wider diameter than six millimeters.

For more information on skin cancer treatment please visit here.

How has skin cancer affected you or someone you know and how did you handle it?

June 26th, 2011

ABCD’s of Skin Cancer Detection

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you “Check your birthday suit on your birthday!”© After looking over your skin, call your austin dermatologists as soon as possible if any of your moles or pigmented spots exhibit:s

One half doesn’t match the appearance of the other half.

The edges are irregular, raged, or blurred.

The color or pigmentation is not uniform and/or has shades of tan, brown, or black; is sometimes white, red, or blue

The size of the mole is greater than 1/4 inch (6 mm), about the size of a pencil eraser.

The mole over time changes shape, size, color, etc.

***This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or you local austin dermatologist with any health-related questions or concerns.

June 17th, 2011

Evolutionary speaking, our fat cells are fit. They perform their main function, for energy storage, without fail throughout our lifespan, while also insulating and cushioning our vital organs. Adipocytes, or fat cells, perform a variety of other functions, such as hormone/chemical secretion for certain regulatory and body developmental functions.

But in our society, too much of a good thing has villainized the humble adipocyte. Fat has become the social public enemy number one. There is a $60+ billion dollar industry developed now for weight loss to try to fight, trick, destroy, or cut out this unsightly layer of our bodies. Have we been underestimating the powers of this cell all along?

The average adult has about 30 billion fat cells, or about 30 pounds of fat. Adipocytes can hold up to four times their normal volume of triglycerides and/or cholesteryl esters before needing to divide. And we are horrified to realize that they do not decrease in number even when we lose the weight.

Fat is metabolically active. It does not lay dormant until its energy stores are suddenly needed. Rather, it constantly obtains and releases triglycerides from and into the blood stream to maintain a steady level of fatty acids in the bloodstream for energy for other body organs. In addition to a multitude of hormones and regulatory chemicals, fat is also a source of estrogen and leptin (a hormone that regulates appetite and energy metabolism) and plays a role in insulin homeostasis (for the regulation of blood glucose levels).

As our diets and lifestyles becomes “hypercaloric,” over 1.1 billion people in the world are now overweight, with almost 400 million people fitting the definition of obesity. We are newly amidst an intense epidemic of our own lifestyle-driven health issues, from heart disease to diabetes and its many complications.

Even our children are being affected by the “Diabesity” epidemic. Medically, there has been a sharp increase in the incidence of juvenile-onset diabetes, high cholesterol, early puberty in girls, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Psychosocially, poor self-image, body consciousness, eating disorders, and social ostracism is facing the younger overweight generation. Our children are getting mixed messages from the food industry and the entertainment industry – should they hide how much they are eating, eat nothing and become food- or exercise-bulimics, or eat only one hamburger all day as a compromise?

How do we get control back and fight this public health threat? As usual knowledge is power. Talk to your primary doctor to get started. Your physician can do basic blood work and vital sign measurements, with height and weight measurements to also ascertain the body mass index. Waist circumference above 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men, blood pressure above 130/85, triglyceride levels about 150mg/dL, “good” HDL levels below 40mg/dL for men and 50mg/dL for women, and fasting blood glucose level above 100mg/dL increase the risk for something called the Metabolic Syndrome (aka Insulin Resistance Syndrome). If you meet three of the above criteria, you may have the metabolic syndrome, which represents level of risk of an individual for coronary artery disease and diabetes.

Weight loss to decrease the BMI to below 25 via diets low in saturated and trans fats and cholesterol and routine exercise should dramatically decrease the risk of the metabolic syndrome by decreasing abdominal circumference, blood pressure, triglyceride and “bad” LDLs, and blood sugar levels. It is of course much easier said than done, but this is the month to start taking control.

Roopal Bhatt, MD is a dermatologist starting practice in the Four Points area.

For questions or more information, email her at contact@fourpointsdermatology.com and make an appointment with out local Austin dermatologist today.

June 16th, 2011

Trends come and go, sometimes even in Medicine. For the past thirty years, Dermatologists have been trained to deny an association between diet and acne, even though patients swear that chocolate or french fries or ketchup or ice cream caused their breakout. We’d attribute it to stress, hormones, genetics, sweating, oily skin care products, or just bad luck. Most previous studies exploring a causative link did not show a strong scientifically-based association, but as we look back at these older studies, there are faulty concepts that doctors are still trying to put into perspective. Newer studies, though still not perfect, are now supporting a possible contributory role of diet in acne.

Acne has a multifactorial origin – genetics, microanatomy of the skin, hormones, stress, certain medications, and now diet may contribute to that untimely and unsightly zit, regardless of age. As Dermatologists, we have noticed an increase of acne prevalence beyond adolescence into the 3rd, 4th, 5th and even 6th decades of life, and we do not have an exact reason for this. One hypothesis can be related to the change of the modern diet, which often includes high carbohydrate, high fat, high sodium, processed, low fiber foods. But, again, our food consumption cannot be the only factor, otherwise we’d all be one large pimple during the holidays(!)

In particular, two possible dietary culprits now include foods with a high glycemic load and milk products.

Glycemic load assesses the potential of a food to increase blood sugar or glucose. The glycemic load factors in carbohydrate quality and quantity. A high glycemic load diet increases the hormone insulin and an analog of it called insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). IGF-1, in lay terms, causes our pores to clog. It may also increase sebum, or oil, production. IGF-1 and androgens (“male” hormones found in both genders) can act synergistically to worsen acne.

Women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), an endocrine disorder where androgen and insulin and IGF-1 levels are elevated, can often have some combination of acne, irregular menses, hair loss on the scalp, excess facial and body hair, infertility, insulin-resistance, and obesity. We have noticed that medications that lower insulin and IGF-1 levels in these patients improve acne as well.

Next, milk’s exact role in the development of acne has long been debated. Two recent studies have found a relationship with acne, from either whole or skim milk. The thinking is that milk may directly increase IGF-1 levels. In addition, milk may contain excess hormones from the cow that affect acne. There are estrogens (“female” hormones), androgens, progesterones, other bioactive molecules, or even iodine in milk that could contribute to acne flares.

Well, we are still at a standstill in our debates. While practicality and real life experience suggest a positive correlation with high sugar or carbohydrate foods, we still cannot gather enough credible scientific evidence to absolutely prove a direct relationship.

There are flaws with old and current studies however, either in design or number of patients, and further more rigorous studies need to be done.

Those that can follow a “low carb” diet and avoid milk may see improvement, all other factors being equal, but there are many other confounding factors that can also contribute to acne. In those women with PCOS, dietary changes may play more of a role, and these patients should follow a low glycemic index diet to decrease insulin resistance for improvement in overall general health and as a bonus, in acne.

For those who swear by a food trigger, from chocolate to fried foods to citrus, by all means avoid that trigger as long as it still allows a good dietary practice. Diet is only part of the puzzle that we need to piece together for improving our skin appearance.
Roopal Bhatt, MD is a Dermatologist starting practice in the Four Points area.

For questions or more information, please contact her at contact@fourpointsdermatology.com

September 17th, 2010

Now that the summer months are almost here, the unlucky amongst us should learn to recognize and avoid those infamous plants that cause us to suffer from skin rashes, swelling, itching, and sometimes severe allergy or anaphylaxis upon contact with the plant. The mechanisms of rash development is actually from a complex immunological reaction that our bodies develop against the allergen, a true allergy called Allergic Contact Dermatitis.

Everyone has heard of Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac, but not everyone knows what these plants look like or methods of preventing contact with the allergen. 70 to 85% of the population has been sensitized and thus can potentially get the rash, with it actually affecting about up to 50 million Americans. In Texas, it is mainly Poison Ivy that causes Allergic Contact Dermatitis.

• Poison Ivy is a weed with three shiny green leaves and a reddish stem, with either small green flowers or green-white berries. The leaves can have either smooth or serrated edges. It grows as bushes, plants, or vines. It is found throughout the US except in the Southwest, Alaska, and Hawaii.

• Poison Oak also has the same three-leafed structure, but grows as a shrub on the West Coast but can be found in the Eastern US as well (rarer in Texas).

• Poison Sumac is a woody shrub with each stem having 7-13 leaves arranged in pairs. It mainly grows in standing water in the peat bogs/swamps of the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast.

The common denominator of these plants, all part of the Toxicodendron Genus of plants, is an allergen called urushiol, an oily resin. Sensitized people will get the rash within 12-48 hours after contact, and the rash can persist for 3 weeks. The rash is uncommon in children less than 7 years old, and rare in infants, due to undeveloped immune systems.

While the rash is not “contagious” in the strictest sense from one person to the next, the oily resin adheres to everything that comes in contact with the plant. Thus, these items , including freshly contaminated skin, pets (animals do not get the rash), clothing, and tools, must be washed or that allergen can continue to cause rashes. If left on inanimate objects, the resin can be allergenic for years. Even smoke from these burning plants can transmit the resin and irritate eyes, oral, and nasal passages.

Scratching the blisters does not spread the rash; the appearance that the rash is “spreading” is due to your skin responding at different rates from the initial contact with the plant. Washing affected skin with isopropyl alcohol and/or soap and water can only prevent the allergy if it is done within 10 minutes after contact with the resin. For those who are extremely sensitive, there is a product called “Ivy-Block” that can be placed on the skin prior to anticipated contact with the plant. This topical product contains 5% bentoquatam, a compound that prevents penetration of the resin into the skin.

Most people get mild skin reactions treatable with over-the-counter medications such as oral antihistamines like Benadryl®, calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, and cool soaks. People should see their physicians if the rash is severe or widespread, if it affects eyes, nose, mouth, or genitalia, if the rash gets infected, if you get a fever of 100°F or greater, or if the rash does not improve after 3 weeks. These patients may need very strong topical preparations, oral prednisone, and/or antibiotics.

Roopal Bhatt,MD is a practicing Dermatologist in the Four Points Area. To reach her about questions on this subject or another,

please contact her at contact@fourpointsdermatology.com

September 16th, 2010

It feels like winter, even in Austin. Though a relief from the high heat and humidity of the rest of the year, how can we protect ourselves from the drying effects of this season to keep our hair, skin, and nails healthy?

During the cool, low-humidity weather, we lose more moisture to the outside air just from diffusion and evaporation through moisture and temperature gradients. This loss of moisture is called transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and is a measure of the function of our skin barrier. Aside from temperature and humidity changes, aging, certain medications and genetic conditions can speed up our TEWL. Luckily, a few basic easy tricks can lock that moisture back in to prevent our skin, hair, and nails from looking and feeling cracked, rough, and lackluster.

The outermost layer of our skin and our entire visible portion of our hair and nail units are non-living. For skin, the “bricks” are made of a dead skin cells made mainly of a protein called keratin. The “mortar” of these keratin sheets is composed of lipids – ceramides, cholesterol, free fatty acids, etc – with complex chemical bonds with other proteins. Thus, our skin, even the outside “dead” layer, is composed of a complex interlocking of lipids, keratin, and other organic and inorganic chemicals to maintain proper water content, pH balance, and function.

Skin keeps our body temperature and water/salt homeostasis in check. Great skin also makes us look healthy and vital and younger. When skin dries, most people start to feel itchy or have pain from cracks in skin; hair can be unmanageable with much static, and nails will crack from being brittle. We are not talking life-and-death medical issues here, but for those who’ve ever had bad dry skin itching, it can keep someone up many hours in the night from the discomfort.

The treatment is moisturizing right? Yes…but which one to choose? There are moisturizers, emollients, humectants, occlusive agents or greases, and lubricants. There are also lotions, creams, ointments, oils, etc. The former set either keep moisture locked in or attract water back into the layers of skin and nails to keep it supple. The latter set has to do with the consistency of the topical and how well they can hydrate, cool, and/or deliver medication to the skin.

You do not have to spend much to get adequate moisturizing. Home remedies can include placing olive oil or safflower oil on skin on for multiple nights. But if you don’t want to smell like cooking oil, choose something that you won’t mind using consistently. For instance, choose a moisturizer that is light in the summer such as a lotion and heavier in the winter such as a cream. As Dermatologists, we recommend heavier creams or ointments for those with very dry skin or eczema (dry, rashy skin).

Also, Dermatologists prefer patients to use fragrance-free products because the fragrance, though it smells great, can often be a skin sensitizer. “Unscented” just means the manufacturer used a second fragrance to mask another fragrance, so beware.

Moisturizing is more than half the battle, but what about the rest? Use a mild, moisturizing fragrance-free soap or cleanser and take shorter, lukewarm water showers or baths. Long, hot showers can actually promote water loss from skin. Gently pat dry your skin with a soft towel. Apply moisturizer to skin and nails immediately (within three minutes) after bathing and occasionally throughout the day. Avoid wool or harsh fiber clothing directly on skin as well. Use fragrance free detergents, without fabric softeners if possible, as the latter often have strong chemicals. Lastly, consider purchasing a humidifier if your environment tends to be dry (this will also decrease hair static).

As for drinking lots of water to keep your skin hydrated, the medical consensus is mixed. Water can improve internal organ function but that consumed water may not necessarily be transmitted to skin cells unless the person is extremely dehydrated. But it can’t hurt either drinking that daily 64 oz of water in healthy people.

Roopal Bhatt, MD is a Dermatologist starting practice in the Four Points Area. For more information or questions, e-mail her at contact@fourpointsdermatology.com

September 13th, 2010

ABCD’s of Skin Cancer Detection

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you “Check your birthday suit on your birthday!”© After looking over your skin, call your dermatologist as soon as possible if any of your moles or pigmented spots exhibit:

One half doesn’t match the appearance of the other half.

The edges are irregular, raged, or blurred.

The color or pigmentation is not uniform and/or has shades of tan, brown, or black; is sometimes white, red, or blue

The size of the mole is greater than 1/4 inch (6 mm), about the size of a pencil eraser.

The mole over time changes shape, size, color, etc.

***This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns.

September 13th, 2010

Shaving, Perfumes, and Hair Care