Our Practice of Medical Dermatology

Our staff is highly trained to provide complete skin care for the entire family. We have years of experience in the medical treatment of diseases of the skin, including pediatric and general dermatology, and Dr. Judge is proficient in the medical and surgical treatment of skin cancer.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a term that encompasses a group of chronic skin disorders that affect any part of the body from the scalp to the toenails, but most frequently affect the scalp, elbows, knees, hands, feet and genitals. Over seven million men and women in the U.S. of all ages have some form of psoriasis, which may be mild, moderate or severe.   In addition it may be categorized into different types: plaque, pustular, erythrodermic, guttate or inverse psoriasis. Most forms involve an itching and/or burning sensation, scaling and crusting of the skin. 

Psoriasis cannot be cured but it can be treated successfully, sometimes for months or years and occasionally even permanently. Treatment depends on the type, severity and location of psoriasis; the patient's age, medical history and lifestyle; and the effect the disease has on the patient's general mental health. The most common treatments are topical medications, phototherapy, photochemotherapy (PUVA), and oral or injectable medication (for severe symptoms).

Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis

Eczema is a term used to describle a group of inflamed skin conditions that result in chronic, relapsing and very itchy rashes. About 15 million people in the United States suffer from some form of eczema, including 10 to 20 percent of all infants. Symptoms vary from person to person but often include dry or blistered, red, itchy patches on the skin.

Objects and conditions that trigger itchy eczema outbreaks may include rough or coarse materials touching the skin, excessive heat or sweating, soaps, detergents, disinfectants, dust mites, animal dander, and stress. Treatment involves the restriction of scratching, use of moisturizing lotions or creams, and nonprescription anti-inflammatory corticosteroid creams and ointments. If this proves insufficient, we may prescribe an immunomodulator or corticosteroid medication, antibiotics to combat infection or antihistamines to relieve the itching.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrhea is a chronic skin condition of unknown origin, which causes scaling, oiliness, itching and redness of the skin, most commonly on the scalp (and known as dandruff), face, ears, and chest. Although symptoms imply that skin is dry, seborrhea actually involves excess oil production in the glands. For this reason, self-treatment methods such as moisturizing often prove ineffective and may even worsen the condition. Professionally recommended treatments such as cortisone or sulfur containing creams and lotions and reduction of yeast on the skin surface, in combination with frequent gentle washing and avoidance of harsh or perfumed soaps, can alleviate symptoms.

Bacterial and Fungal Infections

Bacterial infection of the skin, also called cellulitis, occurs when a break in the skin allows bacteria that normally live on the surface to enter the body, causing inflammation, redness, pain, warmth, fever/chills, fatigue and muscle aches. The break itself may arise from trauma, an animal or insect bite or sting, after some surgeries, with the use of certain drugs, or from skin wounds due to medical conditions such as diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. Left untreated, bacterial infection can lead to tissue death (gangrene), sepsis, generalized infection, shock, meningitis (if cellulitis is on the face) and lymphangitis (inflammation of the lymph vessels). Treatment may require hospitalization, oral antibiotics or analgesics to control pain.

Fungal infections of the skin are caused by microscopic organisms that live on the hair, nails (onychomycosis)’ mouth (angular cheilitis/oral thrush)’ and outer skin layers. They are quite common. The fungal infection cutaneous candidiasis, for example, which occurs in warm, moist crevices of the body, is the usual cause of diaper rash and vaginal yeast infections. Fungal infections are most likely to occur in people with diabetes, who are obese, or who take antibiotics or oral contraceptives. They are treatable (sometimes with difficulty) but often recur. Treatments include topical and systemic antifungal medications.

moles and birthmarks

Known as nevi (singular "nevus"), moles and other birthmarks are benign pigmented spots or patches of skin that range in color from tan, brown and black (moles) to red, pink or purple (vascular nevi, such as strawberry hemangiomas or port wine stains). Though most birthmarks are harmless, occasionally some may develop into cancer. Moles exhibiting any of the following warning signs should be examined by a professional immediately:

• Larger than six millimeters.
• Itches or bleeds.
• Rapidly changes in color, size or shape.
• Multiple colors
• Asymmetrical
• Looks different from all other moles
• Is located where it can't be easily monitored, such as on the scalp.

warts

Warts are common benign skin growths caused by viruses.  Different warts respond to different treatments. Some go away spontaneously without treatment. Salicylic acid products (in the form of drops, gels, pads and bandages) can help in the self-treatment of many warts by dissolving the keratin protein that makes up the wart and the dead skin above it. Others can be removed via liquid nitrogen freezing or laser treatment. Surgery may be recommended for painful or large warts that do not respond to these treatments.

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