Medical Dermatology

Eczema is a broad term used to describe a range of skin conditions characterized by rashes, itchiness, and redness.

It’s estimated that over 31 million people in the U.S. alone have some form of eczema. Episodes of eczema may be chronic, one-time issues, or continual.

Whatever kind you are experiencing, you can rely on our professional team of clinicians to help with diagnosis and treatment.

Visible redness or irritated patches on the skin may look concerning, but eczema is not contagious. There is no known cure for eczema, however, there are effective treatments and relief for symptoms available.

What are the Symptoms?

If you have eczema, various parts of your body can develop rashes and dry, itchy skin. Usually, this occurs behind your knees, inside your elbows, and on your hands, feet, and face. However, remember that eczema is not contagious.

The most common symptom is itching, which in turn leads to scratching and rubbing the skin, increasing the irritation. Other symptoms include:

• Skin patches that are rough and leathery
• Red and raised bumps on the skin known as hives
• Scaly skin patches
• Skin that is swollen and sore
• Skin color changes.

Types of Eczema

There are many different types, diagnosed both by symptoms and where it occurs on the body, including:

• Atopic Dermatitis. The most common form, atopic dermatitis usually starts during childhood and may disappear or become much milder by adulthood. Linked to allergies, many people with this condition also suffer from hay fever and asthma.
• Contact Dermatitis. Resulting in red, irritated skin, contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes in contact with a substance to which it is allergic, such as latex, certain types of metal, or chemicals. Certain skincare ingredients and makeup, plants such as poison ivy and poison oak, or even tobacco smoke can sometimes trigger contact dermatitis.
• Dyshidrotic. More common in women than men, dyshidrotic eczema is characterized by small, fluid-filled blisters forming on fingers, palms, toes, and soles of your feet. Stress is thought to be a primary trigger for outbreaks.
• Hand. Only affecting the hands, this form of eczema is common among hairdressers, cleaning personnel, and others whose hands are regularly exposed to various chemicals.
• Neurodermatitis. Very similar to atopic dermatitis, neurodermatitis presents as thick, scaly patches of skin that are very itchy, even when you are sleeping.
• Nummular. Causing round, coin-shaped spots on your skin, nummular eczema is known for making the skin extremely itchy, and is often triggered by insect bites.
• Stasis Dermatitis. Somewhat uncommon, stasis dermatitis occurs when fluid leaks out of weakened leg veins onto the skin, causing itching and redness.

What Causes It?

When skin cannot retain moisture very well or has a disrupted barrier that lets moisture from the skin evaporate too freely, eczema often occurs.

Some of the most common causes include:

• Environmental factors such as pollen or mold
• Allergies such as hay fever
• Asthma
• Soaps, detergents, and shampoos
• Synthetic or wool fabrics
• Viral, fungal, and bacterial infections
• Pet dander
• Chemicals and solvents

Treatment Options

If you suffer from eczema and want to get more information about various treatments and other aspects of your condition, talk to your dermatologist today.

Schedule your appointment now.

A mole is a growth on the skin. Most moles are benign, but they can turn cancerous.

People can be born with moles, or they can develop moles over the course of their lives. It’s important to be aware of what moles you have and where they are located.

Although you don’t generally need to worry about moles, any changes in the mole’s appearance should be brought to the attention of your dermatologist at Dallas Associated Dermatologists. In particular, look for changes in color and/or size.

Sometimes moles can occur in areas of the body that negatively impact appearance or self-esteem, such as on the face. Mole removal is available, even when the mole poses no health risk.

Have a suspicious-looking mole? Our skilled dermatologists can screen the mole and your skin for malignancy concerns and discuss removal options.

Our Approach

At Cosmetic Dermatology of Orange County, we provide expert evaluation and treatment for moles, also known as nevi. Moles are common skin growths that vary in color, size, and shape. While most are harmless, changes in appearance or new growths may indicate a need for further examination. Our board-certified dermatologists use advanced diagnostic tools, including dermoscopy, to closely examine moles and determine whether they are benign or require biopsy or removal.

We understand that moles can be both a medical concern and a cosmetic issue. Whether you’re monitoring a suspicious mole for signs of skin cancer or seeking removal for aesthetic reasons, our team ensures a careful, customized approach. If removal is recommended, we offer precise, minimally invasive techniques that minimize scarring and support clear, healthy skin.

Routine skin checks are an essential part of early detection and skin cancer prevention, especially for individuals with a personal or family history of melanoma. At CDOC in Anaheim Hills, we prioritize your long-term skin health while addressing cosmetic concerns with care and expertise.

If you’ve noticed changes in a mole or simply want peace of mind, schedule a skin exam with our experienced dermatology team today. Early evaluation is key to protecting your skin.

Schedule your appointment now.

About Scleroderma

What is it?

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the skin, characterized by fibrosis of the skin. In other words, the disease causes hardening, thickening, and scarring of the skin’s connective tissues. Although it’s often localized to specific parts of the body, it can also be widespread, causing systemic issues that affect internal tissues and organs, including the esophagus, blood vessels, kidneys, lungs, heart, and GI tract. Even if scleroderma is restricted to a smaller area of your body and/or doesn’t impact you internally, it can still be troublesome, as the skin on your face, fingers, neck, and feet become swollen, tender, inflamed, and/or hardened as well as experience a decreased range of motion.

What causes it?

Unfortunately, there are no clear causes of this condition, although there is evidence that genetics and the environment contribute substantially to its development.

Common treatments

Due to the complicated nature of scleroderma as well as the uncertainty of what causes it, treatment is customized on a case-by-case basis and may involve various options, as a single medication or treatment may not be completely effective. For example, you may have a mild, localized case that does not require treatment. On the other hand, someone else may have a severe, relentless case that involves multiple options, each addressing a single of the various symptoms that manifest. For the experts at our dermatology center, the ultimate goal is the management of the conditions.

Providers

Our approach & expertise

About Seborrheic Keratosis

What is it?

Also known as seborrheic verruca, most people will develop at least one seborrheic keratosis during a lifetime. Seborrheic keratosis is a common skin growth. It may seem worrisome because it can look like a wart, pre-cancerous skin growth (actinic keratosis), or skin cancer. Despite their appearance, they are harmless, benign, and don’t become cancerous. They are characterized as brown, black or yellow growths that grow singly or in groups and are flat or slightly elevated. Often they are mistaken for warts and generally no treatment is required unless the growth becomes irritated. However, because it looks similar in appearance to precancerous growths, your dermatologist might biopsy the tissue to confirm the diagnosis.

What causes it?

People who are prone to develop these harmless growths tend to have fair skin, and they can also be hereditary, so check with family members if you are worried. These growths also develop in people with medium to dark skin and tend to be smaller and around the eye area. If you are pregnant or had estrogen replacement therapy, people have been known to develop these. Most people develop seborrheic keratoses later in life. People who have had a lot of sun exposure tend to develop more of these. These are not contagious, and if you are getting more of them, it’s usually due to age.

Common treatments

Trust your dermatologist to tell if your skin growth is a seborrheic keratosis or skin cancer. If there is any question we will remove the growth and do a biopsy. Most seborrheic keratoses are harmless like skin tags, and might not need treatment. Talk with your dermatologist if you have any concerns, or if they are getting irritated from rubbing or clothing. A common way of treating these is with cryotherapy, your dermatologist will apply liquid nitrogen to the growth, and will tend to fall off in a few days. There are other ways as well, and depending on your skin type your dermatologist will recommend the best solution for you. After removal, it usually does not return. We offer treatment options tailored to your needs and aesthetic goals, and we’re here to address your concerns and provide support throughout the process. Call an office today and make an appointment if you are concerned you have seborrheic keratosis.

Schedule your appointment now.

About Rosacea

What is it?

Rosacea is characterized by persistent skin redness, the prominence of blood vessels, blotchiness, and reddish bumps or pimples on the face; it’s as if you have the inclination to blush or flush quickly and without reason. In particular, it commonly develops in the cheeks, chin, nose, forehead, ears, and neck.

What causes it?

The exact causes of rosacea are unknown, although genetics, problem blood vessels, and irregular immune system function are thought to contribute. There are, however, known common triggers that you should avoid, such as sun exposure, alcohol, spicy foods, and hot liquids.

Common treatments

There is no outright “cure” for rosacea and it is often unpredictable; even if you avoid triggers and follow a treatment plan that eliminates the symptoms, it can return without warning. However, the skin experts at our dermatology practice can help you manage the condition by minimizing symptoms as much as possible. For milder cases, topical medications can reduce redness while oral medications can shrink bumps and pimples. For more severe symptoms, laser or IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy is effective for improving blood vessels and/or reducing blushing and flushing.

Providers

Our approach & expertise

About Rashes

What are they?

The term “rash” covers a wide range of skin conditions, usually referring to changes in the skin that manifest as bumps, blisters, or red patches. Most of these are harmless, but they can be indications of other skin problems or health issues. Common types of rashes include chronic skin problems, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, bacterial infections, fungal infections, and viral infections.

What causes them?

There are many reasons why you could develop a rash, and some of the most common factors include the following: stress, allergies, genetics, food or drink, various infections, certain medications, insect bites or stings, and sun or heat exposure. If you have a rash that does not disappear after 1-2 weeks, be sure to schedule an appointment to discuss your condition, receive a proper diagnosis, and learn more about your available treatment options.

Common treatments

Skin rash treatments vary widely depending on the type, causes, and symptoms. The skin rash experts at CDOC have the knowledge and experience needed to examine you visually and determine exactly the type of rash you have. Once your rash have been identified, we’ll determine a proper treatment for your particular rash. Rash treatments offered at our center include moisturizing lotions and/or creams, topical anti-itch medications, oral antihistamines, topical anti-fungal medications, and light therapy.

Our approach & expertise

Skin rashes can be troublesome, as they not only itch but can also make you self-conscious about your appearance. As your neighborhood skin expert, West Dermatology has the experience and knowledge necessary to help you manage this condition. Contact an office today if you notice a rash that isn’t being controlled easily so that we can address your particular skin issue.

Schedule your appointment now.

About Cysts

What is it?

What causes it?

• tumors
• genetic conditions
• a defect in the cells
• chronic inflammatory conditions
• blockages of ducts in the body that cause fluids to build up
• a parasite
• an injury that breaks a vessel

Common treatments?

Providers

Our approach & expertise

Acne is a common, benign skin condition characterized by localized breakouts in the form of postures, blackheads, and whiteheads.

Although it is most common in teens, adults may also experience episodes of acne breakouts.

The worst part about it is its appearance. Since acne most frequently occurs on the face, breakouts can cause extreme embarrassment and lead to a lack of self-confidence.

It is highly treatable by your dermatologist.

What are the Symptoms?

Since there are many types that you can get, and symptoms can vary depending on the type and severity.

Generally, the most common symptoms of acne include:

• Whiteheads. These are pores that are both closed and plugged.
• Blackheads. These happen in pores that are plugged, yet still open.
• Papules. These are small bumps that are red and tender to the touch.
• Pimples. Commonly known as pustules. These are papules, but they have pus at their tips.
• Nodules. These are painful lumps under the skin that are solid and typically large.
• Cystic lesions. These are defined as pus-filled lumps under the skin that are quite painful.

Different Types

The two most common forms are:

• Noninflammatory
• Inflammatory

Within these categories are subcategories. For example, noninflammatory is characterized by blackheads and whiteheads, both of which rarely cause swelling and usually respond to over-the-counter medications.

As for inflammatory acne, this includes papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. This type of acne is more difficult to treat since it involves infections that are deeper underneath the skin.

What Causes It?

When it appears, it is due to four main factors that may work in combination with one another. These include:

• Hair follicles clogged by dead skin cells and oil
• Excess production of oil
• Inflammation
• Bacteria

Along with these factors, other things can trigger an acne attack or worsen existing conditions. Among these are:

• Hormonal changes
• Medications
• Stress
• Diet

When hormonal changes occur during puberty or midlife, androgen production increases and can trigger or worsen acne. Also, medications containing testosterone or corticosteroids can make acne worse.

Treatment Options

You may have spent a lot of time trying various treatments to get rid of your acne. But the best treatment for all types of acne is dermatologic treatment.

If you have seen no improvements or your condition has worsened, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist.

Schedule your appointment now.