4 Questions to Ask Skin Specialists in Edinburg and Mission, TX

Dealing with a skin condition can be frustrating. Skin conditions are usually highly uncomfortable and affect people of all ages and genders. The most common skin conditions include acne, dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. Each of these conditions has its own set of symptoms that can make it challenging to manage.

Acne
Acne affects most people at some point in their lives but typically appears during adolescence.

The four main types of acne include:

Papules: small red bumps that appear in clusters. They usually look like parts of the skin are protruding.

Pustules are white or red bumps that form when bacteria infect hair follicles and pus fills the area. If infected hair follicles open when rubbed or picked, they may leave scars, or dark marks called hyperpigmentation.

Nodules: large painful lumps under the skin that result from deep inflammation.

Cysts: Sacs filled with pus. These are often far more serious than other types of acne and require treatment by a skin specialist for best results.

Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a general term for skin inflammation—dermatitis causes itching, redness, and skin lesions.

Dermatitis can be chronic or acute. People who have a chronic form of dermatitis experience flare-ups from time to time. Allergic reactions caused by bug bites, certain cosmetics, or stress can trigger acute dermatitis.

Eczema
Eczema is a term for several skin conditions that cause red, inflamed, and sometimes itchy skin. Eczema occurs on the hands, arms, and face. People who have eczema experience flare-ups followed by periods without symptoms. Eczema occurs when there’s a problem with the way your body responds to external factors such as allergens (substances that trigger immune responses) and irritants, such as dust and pet dander.

The primary symptom of eczema is an itchy rash on the skin. Eczema rashes may be covered with small blisters or white scales. The patches vary in size and are dry, although some rashes may be greasy.

Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to grow abnormally fast. Thick patches of dead skin, also called plaques, most commonly appear on the knees, elbows, scalp, and lower back. These plaques can itch and burn, but they aren’t painful.

Psoriasis can have a significant impact on people’s quality of life. The condition often flares up around stressful events like weddings or job interviews.

Several treatments are available for psoriasis. Some treatments slow the growth rate of skin cells, and others reduce inflammation in the body. Both approaches seem to help with symptoms, but neither stops psoriasis from flaring up again in the future.

Most people notice that they may have a problem with their skin that requires medical intervention when they experience sudden redness, swelling, itching and burning sensations on their skin. These minor irritations go away within days or weeks without any medical treatment for many people.

However, if the problem persists or is painful, you should seek medical advice. Your doctor will examine your skin and ask questions about the nature of the problem and its history. They will also look for signs of infection (such as pus), rashes, allergies and contact dermatitis (irritation caused by direct contact with an allergen). You may be referred to a skin specialist for further tests or treatment, depending on their findings.

Skin problems can result from many factors, but hormonal imbalances and stress are the leading causes of skin problems.
Other common causes of skin problems include:

– Allergies, often food or environmental.
– Infections
– Reactions to a medication or chemicals on the skin
– Cancer
– Excessive scratching

Catalyst Medical Group treats various skin conditions, including acne, rosacea, age spots, and rashes. Each disorder has its own set of symptoms and treatments. To learn more about your skin condition contact us or book an appointment online with one of our doctors. We have convenient locations to serve you in Edinburg TX, and Mission TX. We serve patients from Edinburg TX, McAllen TX, San Juan TX, Alamo TX, Pharr TX, Palmhurst TX, Mission TX, Alton TX and Palmview TX.