Treatment For Common Skin Conditions

Some skin conditions are temporary and will go away on their own. Others, like eczema, acne and rosacea, may require the expertise of a physician. The good news is that many conditions can be improved with the right treatments.

Daniel Hekman, MD, is a board-certified family physician in Indianapolis with a special interest in treating dermatological conditions and performing skin procedures. He shares helpful information about various skin conditions, including symptoms and treatment options.

Eczema

Dr. Hekman emphasizes that eczema is a broad term for dermatitis or inflammation of the skin.

"Think about it in terms of what would cause inflammation of the skin," Dr. Hekman says. "Usually, it's due to a decreased barrier function of the skin. So, it makes the skin 'leakier' where water can evaporate out."

This leads to dryness, which turns into irritation and then itching.

"Itching triggers a whole inflammatory cascade of redness and thickening of the skin. And, skin can even get infected," Dr. Hekman adds.

Eczema can be considered a childhood skin condition affecting 5-20% of children worldwide. During these early years, the condition mainly affects the front side of the elbows and backside of the knees. During adulthood, eczema tends to change over to the kneecaps and elbows themselves.

Many people "grow out of" their eczema condition. Still, the best treatment in childhood is prevention - especially in drier months like the winter season. Natural moisturizers, free of fragrances, such as CeraVe products or Vaseline, are effective. A topical corticosteroid might be needed if eczema progresses to the redness and itching stage.

Acne

The skin's pores release an oily substance called sebum, which acts as a natural moisturizer to coat the skin and prevent dryness. When this oil is over-produced or trapped by a cluster of dead skin cells, it becomes "food" for bacteria. The bacteria then grow, leading to infection and the creation of a pus-filled bump.

Acne is common in teenagers because their hormones are starting to increase - which directly stimulates increased sebum production.

"For this population, you can't really control their hormone levels. So, we try to control bacteria by killing it with topical treatments or an oral antibiotic," explains Dr. Hekman. "In adults, we typically do a topical vitamin A derivative called a retinoid."

Sometimes, women experience a flare-up of acne during their menstrual cycle. Hormone adjustment may help in this case. In other instances, inflammation is so deep and causes cystic formation and scarring. The ultimate treatment for this type of acne is high-dose vitamin A, Accutane.

Rosacea

Rosacea, also known as acne rosacea, appears as a red, flushing appearance on the face. Genetics may be a factor in the appearance, but its main cause is chronic sun damage. UV rays damage the skin and create micro-scars, which change the appearance of the skin.

"Sometimes this traps secretions and also causes blood vessels to become very torturous or twisty and show up more easily underneath the skin," notes Dr. Hekman. "If the regrowth of skin cells are trapping secretions and creating inflammatory bumps, we treat it similar to acne, which is usually a topical antibiotic to try to help calm down the inflammation and kill the bacteria."

Another cause of rosacea is telangiectasias. Treatment involves avoiding foods and environmental triggers that can flare blood vessels and cause them to get bigger.

Moles And Skin Cancer

Everyone has moles, and most are benign collections of pigmented cells. However, some moles do indicate skin cancer. Dr. Hekman says to look out for a mole that stands apart from the rest. You can also apply the A-B-C-D-E criteria:

• A-asymmetrical or irregular shaped
• B-borders (irregular or ulcerated)
• C-color (multiple colors are concerning)
• D-diameter, larger than half a centimeter
• E-evolution and changes over time (itching, bleeding, etc.)

Schedule a visit with a dermatologist if your mole exhibits any of the above characteristics.

Take Care Of Your Skin With Preventative Measures

As with many health concerns, prevention is crucial. Dr. Hekman urges individuals to use sunscreen religiously. In addition to sunscreen of SPF 30 or above, he also encourages physical protection like a wide-brimmed hat or UV shirt.

"Dermatologists sound like a broken record, but it is true, the sun's UV rays damage the skin and basically cause scarring." Dr. Hekman says. "This takes away the healthy, fatty protective barrier underneath the skin. That thins your skin over time with the more exposure to sunlight."

Listen To Franciscan Health Primary Care Physician Daniel Hekman, MD

Listen to an in-depth conversation on common skin condition treatments with Dr. Daniel Hekman.