Skin is strong. Skin is beautiful. And because skin’s number one job is to protect your insides from microbes and the elements, it sees a lot of abuse. The environment is full of bacteria, pollutants, viruses, and other irritants, all of which are prevented from crossing the protective layers of your skin in order to ward off infection and disease. This amazing waterproof shield, although very tough, can sometimes bear the ill effects of the constant attacks it is fending off. Many physical assaults, whether it be a splinter, a stubbed toe, or a surgery, result in a wound that is identified and healed by your body’s immune system. Other types of invaders can cause superficial skin irritation otherwise known as dermatitis. The prefix “derm” refers to skin and the suffix “titis” means inflammation. Many different types of dermatitis exist, and many appear very similar and may even share symptoms, but have different pathologies.
Identifying and treating disease states of the skin is Bryn Mawr Dermatology’s specialty. If you notice a red itchy patch that won’t resolve, you develop little blisters that hurt, or you notice hives that chronically keep returning, it might be a good time to call and book an evaluation and management appointment with us. Most conditions that are identified by skin symptoms, are indicative of disease states that are restricted to the skin and underlying tissues. Most do not progress to involve other body systems; however, there are certain scenarios in which a rash on the skin can be an indication that something is not quite right with your immune system, or that you have an infection that is threatening to spread. Getting that rash diagnosed quickly may help prevent any health troubles down the line. Either way, discrete rash or something more, the experts at BMD can help relieve your symptoms.
Any time your skin is not 100% healthy it can be concerning. In the instance that you have a rash that is not resolving or is worsening despite any over-the-counter remedies you may have tried, it’s probably a good idea to see a skin specialist. In the case that you develop symptoms that are systemic, like a fever, shortness of breath, joint pain, or nausea in tandem with your rash, seek attention as soon as possible.
For dermatitis treatments in Villanova or Collegeville, contact our dermatologists today at 610.525.7800! or easily book an appointment by clicking the Schedule Now button at the top of the page. We look forward to caring for you!
We all want skin that glows with health. Any mark or irritation on the skin that mars it’s appearance can be an emotional impediment as well as a medical one, and although most skin concerns are not life threatening we take them very seriously. In addition to functioning as a barrier between our insides and the environment, skin helps to regulate temperature and retain water, it allows your body to feel sensations like warmth, cold, pressure, itching and pain. The skin itself is a complex structure with three main layers: the epidermis, dermis and subcutis from the outermost layer to the innermost.
The epidermis continually renews itself by creating new cells from the bottom up, causing superficial cells to shed on a regular basis. It contains specialized cells called melanocytes that store a black pigment called melanin and define the color of our skin in addition to protecting it from UV exposure. There are also lymphocytes that play an important role in fighting germs and Merkel cells which are specialized sensory cells that allow us to sense pressure.
The dermis is the middle layer of the skin, and is constructed of a dense network of connective tissue including collagen and elastin fibers which gives skin its framework and ability to stretch. It also contains the majority of your sensory cells and your sweat glands, which in tandem identify heat, cold, and pain and regulate your body’s temperature. It is laced with tiny blood vessels called capillaries which supply the surrounding cells with oxygen and nutrients. Your hair follicles also reside in the dermis.
The subcutaneous layer is composed mostly of fat and water. It provides the body with insulation and acts as a shock absorber, protecting the bones and soft tissues beneath. The fat cells produce hormones essential to the body’s regulatory functioning.
There are a lot of components of healthy skin, including the other systems of your body working in tandem to provide it with nutrients and feedback. If any one of these is not functioning properly you may develop visible confirmation of this disturbance on your skin.
Rashes are some of the trickiest dermatological concerns to diagnose due to the variety of causes and the fact that the same disease can present in many different forms depending on the individual. Most dermatitis can be assessed visually by a trained dermatology specialist. First, a complete medical history is taken from the patient and then many pertinent questions are asked regarding the rash itself. Essential pieces of information collected are:
If the visual assessment alone is not sufficient, your provider will utilize accessory testing to nail down the diagnosis. This may consist of scraping the superficial skin and looking at cells under a microscope, bloodwork, or a biopsy of the deeper layers of skin. For certain rashes that have been determined to be contact dermatitis – meaning that they are being caused by the skin coming into contact with an irritant – the provider may also suggest patch testing in order to identify what your skin is sensitive to. This further assessment can help determine the root cause of the skin irritation and provide the doctor or PA with information that will allow them to decide which treatment(s) will be best. Most of the time dermatitis is transient and will resolve with the appropriate medication or lifestyle change; however, some dermatitis is categorized as chronic. In these cases, the team at BMD will suggest ways to manage your symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
Thirty one million Americans suffer from some form of eczema. This group of conditions tend to present as itchy, dry, red patches that occur on any part of the skin. Eczema affects people of all ages, genders and skin types, but tends to be more prevalent in those with generally sensitive skin. It can present acutely or, more commonly, come and go throughout your lifetime. Scientists believe that eczema is secondary to a combination of genetic predisposition and external irritating factors. When your skin comes into contact with a “trigger” your immune system becomes active and causes inflammation at the site. It is this inflammation that causes the symptoms common to most types of eczema.
The seven different types of eczema are:
The majority of bites and stings that cause skin irritation are attributed to arthropods (invertebrate animals with an exoskeleton – think spiders, ticks, bees and other familiar insects). These animals deliver bites and stings that fall into one of two categories: venomous or non-venomous. Both types of arthropod attacks breach the skin barrier and cause irritation at the site that can range from a small red welt to a significant rash that itches, burns and can be temporarily painful. Most of us have experienced a mosquito bite that swells and itches, and know that if left untreated it will resolve on its own. That is true of most arthropod bites and sting.
In rare circumstances, arthropod attacks have the potential to cause systemic reactions, and in these instances you should urgently seek medical care. Ticks infected with bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi can transmit Lyme’s disease to the recipient of their bites if they are not treated with antibiotics soon after the encounter. Venomous black widow spider bites have the potential to cause serious systemic neurotoxicity which can be life threatening. Any type of bite or sting can lead to an infection due to the nature of the injury. It is best to seek medical care if you notice any injury that is getting worse instead of better, if it is spreading, or if you develop systemic symptoms.
Common Non-Venomous Bites & Stings
Common Venomous Bites & Stings
Anytime your skin barrier is broken there is a chance of developing an infection. The risk of infection increases with the size of the wound and the length of time that the wound is exposed to the environment. The experts at Bryn Mawr Dermatology see a wide variety of skin infections that range from the invasion of bacteria into a laceration, viral infections at the site of microscopic skin irritation, to fungal or yeast infections caused by an overgrowth of normal skin flora. Some of the signs of dermal infection are pus or other fluid expressing from the site of injury, red, tender, swollen skin, a pimple-like growth with a golden crust, or small scattered blisters. When an infection advances it can start to cause more systemic symptoms like fever or disorientation; at this point it is imperative to seek urgent medical care as certain infections are deadly.
Some common skin infections we see are:
In addition to being itchy, painful or tender, the symptoms of skin irritations are visible. Wearing the signs of dermatitis on your skin can be embarrassing and affect social interactions. The good news is, when you seek care from a well-respected and practiced physician team like the one we have at Bryn Mawr Dermatology, most inflamed skin states are manageable if not curable. The first step is diagnosing your dermatitis. Once that is complete, your provider will identify the most effective way to treat your symptoms. More often than not, a simple prescription cream or wash will serve to dissipate your ailment. Occasionally, in the cases of advanced infection or other aggressive dermatitis, an oral medication will be required. Sometimes, we have to problem solve to find what will work for you best and only arrive at the ultimate treatment after one or two others have failed. This can be frustrating, but is an essential part of the health-care process because so many rashes look alike and each individual responds differently to treatment. The doctors and PAs of BMD are at their best when they are challenged to think outside the box and coordinate with other specialists in order to help patients with particularly perplexing disease states. Know that during the process, we will respect your concerns and remain attentive to your whole-body health.
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