Pediatric Dermatology

Birthmarks

Birthmarks such as congenital nevi are benign pigmented patches of skin that can range in color from tan and brown to red, pink or purple and are present at birth. Although they are usually harmless, some birthmarks may develop into cancer and should be monitored regularly. Depending on their size and location, some patients may be bothered by the appearance of birthmarks and seek treatment to remove them. In addition, some birthmarks — particularly those running along the spine or midline of the scalp — might be associated with serious underlying neural tube defects or genetic syndromes. It is critical to identify these rare but potentially serious disorders as early as possible.

When a child is born with a birthmark, parents are often at a loss for what to do. They want it gone, immediately! They want to know what interventions are possible and what the outcome is likely to be. The physicians at Advanced DermCare have many years of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of birthmarks of all types. Parents can look forward to a knowledgeable discussion of treatment options and state of the art care so that you know your child will have the best possible outcome. When appropriate, we offer specialized surgical or laser treatment for some types of vascular and pigmented birthmarks.
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Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, refers to an inflammatory skin condition that results in chronic, itchy rashes and affects 10 to 20 percent of all infants. Eczema is hereditary and commonly associated with asthma and hay fever – the so-called “atopic triad.” Atopic infants and children experience an itchy rash that appears on the forehead, cheeks, arms, and legs and is exacerbated by scratching and exposure to environmental triggers; these may include harsh soaps, products containing fragrance or dyes, dust mites, food allergies and certain clothing materials such as wool and polyester blends. Being common does not make this a trivial problem. For some unfortunate children and their parents, eczema can be a debilitating disease. Fortunately, most cases improve with age, although this cannot be guaranteed.

There is currently no cure for eczema, but we know how to control inflammation and relieve symptoms using therapies such as topical steroids, antihistamines, immunomodulators, barrier creams, cold compresses and in the most severe cases, phototherapy and/or powerful oral medications. Our physicians will work with you to develop the best possible treatment plan for your child while investigating the root causes of his or her condition.
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Diaper Dermatitis

Diaper dermatitis (diaper rash) is a common skin inflammation that appears as red splotches on your baby’s bottom. It is typically associated with diapers that aren’t changed often enough and diarrhea. Some babies develop diaper rashes as a result of changes in diet or taking antibiotics. In addition to red marks on the bottom, your baby may have a diaper rash if he or she is suddenly uncomfortable during diaper changes. Most kids have diaper rash at some point in their early lives. For most, it is a nuisance, but for others, it can be a real problem that persists. Very rarely, severe diaper dermatitis may be a sign of a serious underlying disorder such as zinc deficiency or immunodeficiency.

The physicians at Advanced DermCare have a variety of treatment regimes that will improve even the most persistent cases of diaper dermatitis. In addition, our staff will work with you to make sure that you understand what causes this problem so that you can begin making the proper steps to improve your child’s health.
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Acne

Acne involves an abnormality within the oil glands that causes skin cells to reproduce and develop pimples, whiteheads and other lesions on the surface of the skin. This may occur as a result of hormones, heredity, cosmetics, stress, bacteria or other factors. Acne is most common in teenagers but can affect patients of all ages.

Almost all teenagers have at least some acne, and as many as one in three seek treatment to correct this condition. Treatment for acne can vary depending on the type, severity, and location of acne lesions. The physicians at Advanced DermCare have a number of new and innovative treatments to help your teenager cope with this problem that can erode self-esteem and make kids feel terribly self-conscious. Cleansers, facials, topical preparations, oral medication, and laser treatments are all part of our treatment options for acne.
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Hemangiomas of Infancy

Hemangiomas are a type of birthmark that occur in about 10% of children. While they are often visible at birth, some hemangiomas will take several weeks or months to become visible. They are usually found on the face, head or neck and affect girls more often than boys. Once they begin to appear, they usually continue to grow for a period of between 6 to 18 months, with roughly 50% of hemangiomas regressing by five years of age. Traditionally, parents are told, “Just leave it alone and it will go away by itself.” This may not be good advice. While some hemangiomas will resolve by themselves over a period of months or years, some persist or grow. For those hemangiomas that pose a significant health risk, treatment should be started as soon as possible. If you or your child has a hemangioma, the specialists at Advanced DermCare will provide you with information about the type of lesion, expected course and best course of action. We will work with you to assess the risk of serious complications and cosmetic disfigurement, coming up with an individualized management plan. In some cases, this may simply require close monitoring, while in others, we will expedite referral to a multidisciplinary clinic that specializes in managing complicated hemangiomas and other vascular lesions in children. For more information about hemangioma, click here: http://www.hemangiomatreatment.org/
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Port Wine Stains

Port wine stains (PWS) are found in approximately 0.3% of births and occur as often in males as in females. They may cause disfiguring purple discoloration of the face. Recent data suggest that some types of port wine stains form due to a defect in the nerves regulating blood vessels in the area where the stain is found. These faulty nerves don’t signal the blood vessels to constrict properly, causing blood to pool in the affected area. Laser treatments may be effective in these areas to reduce the amount of pooling and discoloration. In addition, some PWS such as those around the eye may be associated with serious internal complications such as eye problems and seizures. For more information about PWS, click here: http://www.birthmark.org/port_wine_stains.php
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Warts

Warts are very common growths that usually appear on the skin of the hands, feet, knees or elbows of children and young adults, however, they may appear elsewhere and affect all age groups. Warts are caused by a virus known as HPV or human papillomavirus. They are contagious and may take as long as 12 months after exposure to appear. There are a variety of treatment options available for people who suffer from warts. Your Advanced DermCare physician will examine warts and their location in order to make the best possible choice of treatment for you. http://dermnetnz.org/viral/viral-warts.html
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Molluscum Contagiosum

These raised, pearly white skin papules (bumps) are caused by a highly contagious virus and spread by direct skin-to-skin contact. Children are most commonly infected, and may have more widespread lesions if they have underlying eczema or a weakened immune system. Most cases of molluscum will self-resolve over time, but treatment is often advised to speed up clearance, reduce the risk of complications such as secondary infection, scarring and discomfort. If your child has been diagnosed with molluscum or has wart-like bumps spreading on his or her skin, schedule an appointment for evaluation and safe, simple treatment.
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Advanced DermCare

Office Hours

Monday:

8:00 am-4:30 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-4:30 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-4:30 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-4:30 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-4:30 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed