Xerosis is the medical name for dry skin, and it is a very common skin condition that can occur at any age, however it tends to worsen as we grow older.  By the time we are 40, many people need to use a good moisturizer every day to combat xerosis of skin.  Extremely dry skin that does not improve with moisturizer may develop into a rash called dermatitis that can require prescription topical medication to treat.  Our very dry climate in Colorado significantly increases the chance for frequent and severely dry skin which can make it much harder to stay moisturized.  Very dry skin often becomes very itchy and can be a source of significant discomfort, and frequent scratching will only worsen Xerosis and should be avoided.

Xerosis & Dry Skin Treatment in Colorado Springs

There are a few steps that you can take to treat dry skin or Xerosis. Moisturizing is often the first step that we recommend to patients for dry skin treatment. Moisturizers come as creams or lotions for the face and as ointments, creams, lotions, or oils for the body.  Sometimes a topical steroid or an alternative topical prescription medication may be required in addition to a good moisturizer fro Xerosis treatment.  These medications would be prescribed by your dermatologist to help relieve itch, redness, and any swelling or thickening of dry skin.  Frequent hand washing or the use of antibiotic soaps may dry out the skin even more, so it is recommended to only use gentle moisturizing soaps.

It is also recommended to not use hot water for bathing as this will remove your skin’s natural oils more quickly.  Use warm or lukewarm water instead and limit time in the bathtub or shower to about 5 minutes or less.  Using a moisturizer immediately after bathing is recommended, and an ointment will be more effective when the skin is still damp.  A lotion or cream should be used later in the day if the skin is very dry.  A humidifier at home can help to provide more moisture, which can lessen the effects of dry skin, and applying cool cloths may soothe itchy dry skin that is agitated.

We encourage you to refer to our handout with instructions for taking care of dry skin which contains many helpful tips for taking care of your skin in our dry climate.  You can find other helpful information handouts on our patient resources page.

If you are suffering from Xerosis of skin and looking for professional dry skin treatment options in Colorado Springs or Monument, CO, contact us today. Our staff of Board-Certified Dermatologists can help create a Xerosis treatment plan that is specific to your unique needs.

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Warts are benign growths on the skin that appear due to infection with a common virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV).  This virus is contagious, and it more easily enters through cracked or broken skin.  Warts are usually rough, skin-colored bumps with little black dots, but the appearance can vary based on several different types of wart:

1. Common warts: most often on the fingers of children and teenagers
2. Plantar warts: usually on the bottom of the feet and can be painful to walk on
3. Flat warts: typically in clusters with numerous little flat bumps on the skin
4. Filiform warts: a narrow projection from the skin like a small finger

Warts can go away on their own, but this can take several years.  Treatment at home might include non-prescription medications like salicylic acid or prescription medication like 5-fluorouracil, often covered with tape.  Frequently, in-office treatments are required to remove stubborn warts, which can include:

1. Cryotherapy: usually liquid nitrogen spray
2. Cantharidin: from the blister beetle
3. Chemical peels
4. Electrosurgery and curettage
5. Excision
6. Immunotherapy

Warts are one of the most common conditions seen in our clinic, and we are very happy to offer various treatment options to help clear this condition.

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Scabies is an itchy rash that develops with infestation of the skin by a microscopic mite called the human itch mite.  This eight-legged mite burrows in the very top layer of the skin, feeds there, and lays eggs giving rise to increasing numbers of mites if left untreated.  The mite can be transferred to other people and is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact. Rarely, mites can be picked up from infested bedding, clothing, or furniture, but the mites only survive up to 3-4 days off of a human.  Anyone can get scabies. If it is the first time for someone to get this infestation, it may take 2-6 weeks for the itchy rash to develop. If someone has had it before, itching may develop within 1-4 days of a new infestation.

Sign and symptoms of scabies infestation include:

• Rash: little red bumps, and sometimes little burrow lines in finger webspaces
• Itching: This is the most common symptom and is usually worst at night.
• Sores: Intense scratching can lead to sores from breaking open the skin.
• Thick dry crusts: A severe type called crusted scabies or Norwegian scabies can cause thick, dry, crusty buildup on the skin.  This most often affects elderly in nursing homes or people who are immunosuppressed. This is a highly contagious form of the disease.

Scabies can cause a rash in the scalp of infants and young children, but in adults the mites rarely cause rash above the neck.  Hands, arms, groin and genitalia, and the lower back and lower abdomen are very common places for the rash to appear.

A dermatologist will likely suspect the diagnosis of scabies upon visual inspection and gathering of information through questions, but a skin scraping of some of the lesions of the rash will help to make the definitive diagnosis using a microscope in the office.  Your dermatologist will treat scabies with either a prescription cream, lotion, or pill medication. The person diagnosed along with everyone who has had close contact with that patient will all require treatment, even people without any signs or symptoms. Scabies can be transmitted back and forth in a household if everyone is not appropriately treated at the same time.  Your dermatologist will give you specific instructions for how to take the medication and when everyone should be treated. Along with treatment for clearing the infestation, other medications may be used to calm the symptoms, which include antihistamines, pramoxine or menthol lotion, or a corticosteroid cream. Lastly, it is important to wash all bedding, towels, and clothing with very hot water and to vacuum your entire home on the day of treatment.  All of this should be repeated with treatment is repeated according to your dermatologist’s instructions.

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Ringworm is the common name given to a skin disease called tinea, which is caused by a dermatophyte fungus that lives on the top layer of skin.  The word describes the typical appearance of the rash, which is usually a ring-shaped red rash that is raised along the outside edge and is scaly.  This disease has different names for different parts of the body that can be affected, including:

This skin disease is contageous and can be spread easily from skin-to-skin contact, such as head-to-head contact between children, but for adults it is more often spread from shower floors,  gym locker rooms, or by petting a dog, cat, or farm animal with ringworm. Your risk for getting ringworm increases if you live in a hot, humid environment, sweat heavily, engage in a contact sport like football or wrestling, live in close quarters such as military or dorm housing, share towels, clothing, or razors, and are obese or have diabetes.

A dermatologist often recognizes ringworm just by looking, but a diagnostic test such as a skin biopsy, a gentle scraping of scale, or a clipping of a nail is often necessary to clarify the diagnosis before starting treatment.  Treatment is important because tinea can become much larger and spread to other body areas if left untreated. Treatment will also help prevent spreading to others. Treatment for this condition may include an antifungal cream, ointment, or pill medication depending on the type, extent, and location of the dermatophyte infection on the body.  Many of these medications are safe for children. There are also medicated powders that can help prevent a new appearance of ringworm in an area that is more often sweaty and prone to repeat infection (groin, feet).

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Molluscum are common benign growths on the skin caused by a virus.  These are typically small red, pink,  or skin colored bumps that usually appear in childhood.  Most people get up to 10 or 20, but people with a weakened immune system may get 100 or more and may get them into adulthood.  Skin to skin contact can spread the virus that causes these bumps, but people can also get it from shared towels, shared clothing, or gym mats.

Dermatologists can usually diagnose molluscum contagiosum by looking closely, but occasionally a biopsy might be required to clarify the diagnosis.  Treatment options at home might include applying a topical acne medicine called a retinoid.  In-office treatments can include liquid nitrogen cryotherapy or a procedure called curettage, but usually treatment is with the in-office application of a liquid called cantharidin, which comes from the blister beetle.  Sometimes in-office treatments need to be repeated to be completely successful.

We treat molluscum very commonly in our clinic and frequently use two different strengths of cantharidin with excellent results.  At Summit Dermatology, we look forward to helping clear this up quickly for you and your family.  Sometimes treatment may cause eczema to flare, which is already a skin condition that predisposes to getting these bumps.  We will make sure you get the right kind of treatment.

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Mole is the common name for a melanocytic nevus (plural: nevi).  Moles are very common, and adults with fair skin may have as many as 10-40 on their skin.  Most moles appear during childhood or adolescence and can grow as the child grows.  If there is a new mole that appears during adulthood or if an existing mole changes, it may be an early sign of melanoma and a close examination by a dermatologist should be scheduled right away.  New moles in childhood or adolescence are normal, but the following are reasons to be checked by a dermatologist:

1. Changing mole
2. Dome-shaped mole, jagged borders, or containing different colors
3. Bleeding mole
4. Many moles
5. Large or giant mole, even if present at birth

Checking moles regularly at home between dermatology visits is important, and checking moles in childhood can create a healthy, lifelong habit.

In order to help determine features of a mole that might be concerning for a melanoma, there is a mnemonic called the “ABCDEs of melanoma.” Any of the following features should prompt an urgent examination by a dermatologist:

1. Asymmetry: one half is unlike the other half
2. Border: an irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border
3. Color: variations of tan, brown, black, and sometimes white, red, or blue
4. Diameter: melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (size of a pencil eraser)
5. Evolving: anything that looks like a mole but is changing while others aren’t

Most moles are considered benign (not cancerous), but there are some that are called atypical nevi.  An atypical nevus may be an early melanoma, and having multiple atypical nevi may mean that a person’s risk for having a melanoma is higher than average.  Moles that appear atypical to the eye of a dermatologist will likely be checked using a biopsy and examined under the microscope by a pathologist.  Shave technique, punch technique, or excision may be used to take the biopsy.  If biopsy shows that a mole is severely atypical, surgical excision with a margin of normal skin around the area of the biopsy will be recommended.  If the biopsy shows that it is a melanoma, a larger margin will be necessary and further treatment may also be necessary depending on specific information learned from the biopsy.

Moles should not be removed at home.  If you have numerous moles, your dermatologist may instruct you to use a camera at home along with your self-exams in order to keep a “mole map” for comparison to detect changes over time.  Protect your skin from the sun and wear sunscreen when outside.

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Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition that causes very small rough bumps on the skin.  The tiny bumps are plugs of dead skin cells within hair follicles. These bumps most commonly appear on the upper arms and thighs.  They can also be present on the buttocks, and they are common on the cheeks of young children.

Keratosis pilaris is harmless.  It may be more common in people who have atopic dermatitis, asthma, or seasonal allergies.  Some people experience itch with these bumps, and sometimes people are bothered by the redness of the bumps.  This condition can gradually fade over time and may even disappear into adulthood.

Keeping the skin moisturized is very important to help soothe this condition.  Applying a cream or ointment after bathing and again 2-3 times daily is recommended.  Cream or lotion that contains urea, salicylic acid, glycolic acid or at least 12% ammonium lactate as an ingredient will help shed the plug of dead skin cells causing the bumps and can have the most benefit with regular use.  These ingredients are called keratolytics. Some creams contain a combination of several of these keratolytic ingredients to maximize benefit. Occasionally your dermatologist may recommend or prescribe a topical retinoid or corticosteroid depending on severity.

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Hives are a very common condition, and the medical term for this condition is urticaria.  Urticaria may be acute (relatively short lived, less than 6 weeks) or chronic (longer than 6 weeks, often lasting for years).  When this type of skin reaction causes deeper swelling in the skin, especially around the eyes, lips, and tissues of the mouth, the medical term is angioedema.  If angioedema occurs, emergency care is required to protect the airway.

Hives are welts on the skin that are red, raised, and often very itchy.  Individual hives usually go away in 24 hours or less, but new ones can come up as others are fading away.  Hives can appear anywhere on the body, but some people continue to get hives in the same spot or spots.  Hives often recur when someone is exposed to a certain trigger.  Triggers are different for different people, and the reaction can be immediate within a minute or delayed by several hours.  Common triggers include:

• Food allergies: fruits, milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish
• Medications
• Insect bites or stings
• Animal allergies
• Pollen allergy
• Latex allergy
• Certain infections or illnesses
• Exposure to sun, head, cold, water, or pressure
• Exercise
• Stress
• Rubbing/scratching the skin
• Contact with certain chemicals

Urticaria is diagnosed by a dermatologist by looking at the skin but may require biopsy.  Mild hives can be soothed with cool cloth compresses.  Treatment for mild to moderate cases of urticaria usually includes a combination of non-sedating antihistamines during the day and sedating antihistamines at night.  Topical, oral, or intramuscular injection of corticosteroids may be used for short term treatment.  Dapsone is a medication that is sometimes used, and more recently the biologic medication omalizumab (Xolair) is used for severe cases that are difficult to treat.  At Summit Dermatology, we will work hard with you to find a treatment or combination of treatments that can control your urticaria and the associated itching.

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Atopic dermatitis, often called eczema, is a common skin disease in children but can also affect adults. Children often develop eczema during the first year of life.  Eczema can be very itchy causing infants to rub their skin against bedding or carpeting to relieve itch or causing children to be unable to fall asleep at night.

In infants, eczema often appears as areas of dry, scaly skin on the scalp, face (especially the cheeks), and other areas of the body.  In children from 2 years of age until puberty, it is often characterized by a rash in the creases of the elbows or knees, but also often involves the neck, wrists, ankles, or in the crease of the buttocks or between the legs.  With repeated scratching over time, affected areas of skin can become bumpy, become lighter or darker in color, become thickened and leathery, or develop knots and bumps on thickened skin.  Adults with atopic dermatitis most often had it as a child, and it has continued into adulthood.  About half of people with eczema in childhood have at least mild symptoms as an adult.  In adults, this form of eczema can commonly affect the neck and face, the eyelids, and can be more widespread on the body affecting extensor surfaces of the elbows and knees, not just the creases.

Atopic dermatitis tends to run in families; people with eczema usually have family members with eczema, asthma, or hay fever.  Sometimes people can have all three.  Eczema is not contagious, but untreated broken open skin can allow for bacterial infection, which can make the eczema worse.

A treatment plan for eczema often includes medicine to control itching, topical prescription steroids or steroid alternatives to reduce inflammation, frequent use of bland moisturizers, and medicines or skin care treatments for reducing bacteria on the skin or treating skin infections.

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Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting about 40-50 million Americans.  It is very common in teenagers and young adults but can appear later into adulthood, and a growing number of women have it in their 30s, 40s, or 50s.  This common condition can appear on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and buttocks.  Various forms can appear as blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, cysts, and nodules, and acne can result in scarring or dark spots.  This skin disease can have a significant impact on quality of life, often leading to low self-esteem and depression.

Acne is caused by the clogging of pores by dead skin cells.  When a lot of sebum (oil that keeps the skin from drying) is produced in the pores, skin cells that are normally shed stick together and become trapped inside the pore.  There is a kind of bacterium living in pores called p. acnes, which can become more numerous in clogged pores and can drive inflammation causing redness and swelling.

Acne is diagnosed by a dermatologist based on visual examination of the skin.  It can be inflammatory or noninflammatory and can range from mild to severe.  There are many different treatments which should be specifically tailored to each person’s specific skin needs.  Some options are medicated washes, some are topical creams, gels, or lotions, and others are pill medication taken by mouth.  Most treatments control the disease and must be used regularly for benefit.  Isotretinoin is an option with lasting benefit after stopping the medication, and some who have taken the medicine might be considered cured, never having any future breakouts.  Often a dermatologist will use multiple treatments in combination to best control acne.  It is important to treat this disease early and aggressively to prevent the formation of scars, which can be permanent.

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