When to see a dermatologist for chapped lips?

Most of the time, the above self-care can heal dry, chapped lips in 2 to 3 weeks. If it doesn’t, see a board-certified dermatologist.

Your chapped lips could be caused by something aside from dry weather. An allergic reaction, yeast infection, or something more serious can make your lips feel dry and uncomfortable. Actinic cheilitis is a precancerous condition that turns one or both lips dry and scaly. A board-certified dermatologist can diagnose the cause.  

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Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition. A person with this condition has skin that becomes extremely itchy. Scratching leads to redness, swelling, cracking, “weeping” clear fluid, crusting and scaling. Often, the skin gets worse (flares), and then it improves or clears up (remissions). Atopic dermatitis is the most common kind of eczema, a term that describes many kinds of skin problems.

Who gets atopic dermatitis?

It is most common in babies and children, but it can happen to anyone. People who live in cities and dry climates may be more likely to get this condition. You can’t “catch” it or give it to other people.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptoms of atopic dermatitis are:

• Dry and itchy skin
• Rashes on the face, inside the elbows, behind the knees and on the hands and feet

Scratching the skin can cause:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Cracking
• “Weeping” clear fluid
• Crusting
• Thick skin
• Scaling

What causes it?

No one knows what causes atopic dermatitis. It is probably passed down from your parents (genetics). Your environment can also trigger symptoms. Stress can make the condition worse, but it does not cause the condition.

Is there a test for it?

Currently, there is no single test to diagnose atopic dermatitis, but your doctor may ask you about your medical history, including your family history of allergies, and whether you have hay fever or asthma. Also, exposure to irritants, including:

• Wool or synthetic fibers
• Soaps and detergents
• Some perfumes and cosmetics
• Substances such as chlorine, mineral oil, or solvents
• Dust or sand
• Cigarette smoke

Additionally, the doctor will ask you about:

• Sleep problems
• Foods that seem to be related to skin flares
• Previous treatments for skin-related symptoms
• Use of steroids or other medications

How is it treated?

The goals in treating atopic dermatitis are to heal the skin and prevent flares. You should watch for changes in the skin to find out what treatments help the most. These can include:

• Skin creams or ointments that control swelling and lower allergic reactions
• Corticosteroids
• Antibiotics to treat infections caused by bacteria
• Antihistamines that make people sleepy to help stop nighttime scratching
• Drugs that suppress the immune system

The doctor may also recommend:

• Light therapy
• Skin care that helps heal the skin and keep it healthy
• Avoiding things that cause an allergic reaction

Living with atopic dermatitis

Besides medications, there are a number of things you can do to help control your atopic dermatitis. Skin care is most important, including:

• Taking lukewarm baths to cleanse and moisturize the skin without drying it out
• Using mild bar soap or nonsoap cleanser
• Gently patting the skin dry after bathing
• Applying a moisturizer to seal in the water after bathing
• Using creams and ointments — and avoid lotions with high water or alcohol content
• Protecting the skin from rough clothing, such as wool or man-made fibers

Stay away from things you are — or can be — allergic to, such as:

• Dust mites
• Molds
• Pollen
• Cat or dog dander
• Some perfumes and makeup
• Certain foods such as eggs, peanuts, milk, fish, soy products, or wheat

Above all, prevent scratching or rubbing, which irritates the skin, increases swelling, and actually increases itchiness. Keep your child’s fingernails short to help reduce scratching.

If you exhibit any of the above symptoms, make sure to get your skin checked out by a professional. Schedule an appointment with DeSilva Dermatology today.

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A: Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes red, scaly skin that may feel painful, swollen or hot.

If you have psoriasis, you are more likely to acquire other conditions, including:

• Psoriatic arthritis, a condition that causes joint pain and swelling
• Cardiovascular problems, which affect the heart and blood circulation system
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes

Q: Who can get it?

A: Anyone can get psoriasis, but it is more common in adults. Certain genes have been linked to psoriasis, so you are more likely to get it if someone else in your family has it.

Q: Are there different types?

A: Yes. Here are some examples:

• Plaque psoriasis, which causes patches of skin that are red at the base and covered by silvery scales.
• Guttate psoriasis, which causes small, drop-shaped lesions on your trunk, limbs, and scalp. This type of psoriasis is most often triggered by upper respiratory infections, such as strep throat.
• Pustular psoriasis, which causes pus-filled blisters. Attacks or flares can be caused by medications, infections, stress, or certain chemicals.
• Inverse psoriasis, which causes smooth, red patches in folds of skin near the genitals, under the breasts or in the armpits. Rubbing and sweating can make this type of psoriasis worse.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis, which causes red and scaly skin over much of your body. This can be a reaction to a bad sunburn or taking certain medications, such as corticosteroids. It can also happen if you have a different type of psoriasis that is not well controlled. This type of psoriasis can be very serious, so if you have it, you should see a doctor immediately.

Q: What are the symptoms?

A: Psoriasis usually causes patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales that itch or feel sore. These patches can show up anywhere on your body, but they usually occur on the elbows, knees, legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of your feet. They can also show up on your fingernails and toenails, genitals, and inside your mouth. You may find that your skin gets worse for a while, which is called a flare, and then it improves.

Q: What is it caused by?

A: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, which means that your body’s immune system — which protects you from diseases — starts overacting and causing problems. If you have psoriasis, a type of white blood cells called the T cells become so active that they trigger other immune system responses, including swelling and fast turnover of skin cells.

Your skin cells grow deep in the skin and rise slowly to the surface. This is called cell turnover, and it usually takes about a month. If you have psoriasis, though, cell turnover can take only a few days. Your skin cells rise too fast and pile up on the surface, causing your skin to look red and scaly.

Some things may cause a flare, meaning your psoriasis becomes worse for a while, including:

• stress
• infection
• weather changes
• medications
• cuts, scratches or sunburns

Q: Is there a test for psoriasis?

A: Psoriasis can be hard to diagnose because it can look like other skin diseases. Your doctor may look at a small sample of your skin under a microscope to help them figure out if psoriasis is causing your skin condition.

Q: How is it treated?

A: There are several different types of treatment for psoriasis. Your doctor may recommend that you try one of these or a combination of them:

• Topical treatment, which means putting creams on your skin.
• Light therapy, which involves a doctor shining an ultraviolet light on your skin or getting more sunlight. It’s important that a doctor controls the amount of light you are getting from this therapy, because too much ultraviolet light may make your psoriasis worse.
• Systemic treatment, which can include taking prescription medicines or getting shots of medicine.

Q: How can you live with this condition?

A: Dr. Thushan DeSilva says, “Although psoriasis is a chronic disease, there have been many advances in treatment to make the condition more manageable. Additionally, keep your skin moisturized and take care of your general health overall.”

If you have —or think you may have — psoriasis, schedule an appointment today with DeSilva Dermotology.

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