Ronald E. Reece, MD

Board Certified - American Board of Dermatology
2701 Old Eureka Way Suite 2A
Redding, California 96001
530-246-0236

Skin Disease and Skin Care Product A-M
(Visit DermatologistRx.com for Skin Care products)

Acne: a chronic disorder characterized by excess production of oil from sebaceous glands causing of the hair follicles to become plugged. Pimples, papules, pustules and comedone, (black heads and white heads) cysts, infected abscesses, and sometimes scarring are the lesions to be treated in acne.

Actinic keratosis: a sun induced precancerous lesions that are thin to thick scaly patches of skin on sun exposed areas, backs of hands, arms and face. These can be prevented by wearing sunscreen.

Anesthetics (topical): drugs that cause the skin to become numb or to loose sensation to pain or awareness. Ela-Max is a new topical anesthetic that is often applied 1 hour before chemical peels, laser treatments and other skin procedures. Hydrocortisone and Wonder Ice can also make the skin less sensitive to pain.

Atrophic skin and wrinkles: skin that is thin and wrinkled. Anti-aging and anti-wrinkle preparations can be used to reduce wrinkles and "thicken" the skin.

Basal cell carcinoma: the most common form of skin cancer, usually seen as pea size pearly flesh colored lesions that may have small blood vessels in them. The use of sunscreens and sun protection will help prevent basal cell carcinomas.

Benzoyl Peroxide (BP): Benzoyl peroxide acts as an antibacterial agent against P. acnes, a bacteria, and it is most effective against inflammatory acne consisting of papules, pustules and cysts. BP causes mild desquamation to scaliness, peeling and cracking. The drying does not cause wrinkles.  Start with the lower strength (2.5% or 5%) preparations first. The stronger strengths (5% & 10%) can be irritating. A gel is usually more drying and stronger than a lotion or a cream. A BP wash is a good way to start as a BP gel, lotion or cream that is left on the skin can bleach clothing or the sheets on the bed.

Biopsy: a surgical procedure to remove a small piece of skin for pathological examination under a microscope. Ela-Max a topical anesthetic can be used 1 hour before a biopsy or other skin procedure to reduce the pain.

Blister (vesicle, a small blister): fluid-filled area of skin. Blisters and vesicles may be seen in contact eczema, hand eczema, and fungal infections. They can also be seen in shingles (herpes zoster) other more unusual blistering disorders.

Boil: tender, swollen areas that form around hair follicles.

Candida Infection: (commonly called yeast infection.): a skin infection caused by yeast that can occur in the skin folds, the navel, vagina, penis, mouth, and nail beds. DermatologistRx.com Both Lamisil and Lotrimin can treat a candidal infections.

Cellulitis: a bacterial infection of the skin that is characterized by swelling and tenderness.

Cold sore: cluster of small blisters on the skin, frequently around the mouth and lips caused by the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores can be activated by sunlight. Wearing a lip protectant with sunscreen may prevent cold sore.

Collagen: a protein produced by skin cells that provide strength and resilience to the skin.

Comedone: Commonly know as black heads or white heads. This is where a hair follicle becomes plugged with sebum. When the lipid or sebum is exposed to the environment it is oxidized an turns black (black heads). When the follicle is closed and not exposed to the environment they are cream colored (white heads). Keratolytics (Glycolic acid and salicylic acid) are helpful in treating these lesions seen in acne.

Creams: A waterbased product that should easily works into skin. Creams tend to degrade more rapidly than an ointment and are often combined with perfumes or fragrances. Creams are thicker than lotions but are not as thick as Ointments.

Crust (also called scab.): a formation of dried blood, pus, or other skin fluid over a break in the skin.

Cryosurgery: a surgery technique that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin.

Cryotherapy: A procedure with liquid nitrogen that destroys the top layer of skin by freezing the skin. Used by dermatologists to treat actinic keratoses and warts.

Cyst: a deep lesion that is filled with cheesy contents or fluid.

Dermatitis: General term for inflammation of the skin often seen as red, scaling, vesicular eruption. Specific forms of dermatitis include contact dermatitis, eczema and hand eczema.

Folliculitis: an inflammation of the hair follicles due to an infection or irritation.  On the beard it is called folliculitis barbae.  Using a good shaving cream can help reduce this type of folliculitis.

Freckles, (Age Spots, Solar Lentigines, Liver Spots): darkened, flat spots that typically appear on sun-exposed areas of skin. These can be lightened by bleaching agents containing hydroquinone or kojic acid. Sunscreens can help prevent freckles.

Fungal Infection (Athelete's foot, jock itch, ringworm): Scaling patches on the skin cause by fungi called dermatophytes. DermatologistRx.com has both Lamisil and Lotrimin for the topical treatment of fungi, dermatophytes and candida.  Zeasorb powder can also keep the feet dry.

Glycolic Acid: Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid derived from the sugar cane plant acts as a keratolytic (removes top layers of skin) agent and opens clogged pores. It has been shown in clinical studies to improve acne and the hyperpigmentation that is present with acne.  Start with the lower strength (2.5% or 5%) preparations first.  Strengths above 5% may be irritating. A gel is usually more drying and stronger than a lotion or a cream.

Herpes zoster (also called shingles): a viral infection of a nerve root, characterized by a painful skin rash with small blisters usually on one side of the body. See your dermatologist as soon as possible for effective prescription treatment.

Hives, also called wheals or urticaria: raised welt like swellings on the skin that comes and goes usually within 24 hours.

Impetigo: a bacterial skin infection characterized by small pus-filled blisters, forming honey-yellow crusts. Using an antibacterial soap such as Hebiclens or ointment such as Polysporin can treat early impetigo. See you Dermatologist or physician is symptoms continue.

Keloids: smooth, pink, raised, hard growths on the skin produced by over production of collagen that form over healed wounds.  Keloid treatment suggestions.

Keratosis pilaris: a common skin condition characterized by small, sand size bumps on the outside of the upper arms, thighs and bottom. Glycolic acid and other alpha-hydroxy acid moisturizers can smooth this sand paper like skin.

Lipomas: round or oval lumps under the skin caused by fatty deposits can be multiple.

Melanoma: a form of skin cancer arising in a mole, curable when diagnosed early but may sometimes be fatal. The use of sunscreen can particularly during childhood can help prevent melanomas. The ABCD's of early melanoma detection are: A-asymmetry (one half of the mole looks different than the other) B-irregular border, C-irregular color, D-diameter greater than the end of an eraser on your pencil.

Melanin: pigment granules in the skin that give skin its color.

Melanocytes: pigment producing cells in the skin. These contain the pigement granules melanin.

Melasma: Symmetrical patches of brown pigment on the face.  Most often seen in females and can be exacerbated by estrogen and sunlight. Sunscreens can help prevent melasma and keep melasma away after treatment. Bleaching creams can help fade melasma.

Moles: Small raised skin legions caused by an increase in the number of pigment-producing cells in the skin. Moles have a higher incidence of turning into melanomas.  The use of sunscreens particularly during childhood can decrease the incidence of melanomas and other skin cancers.

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