Approximately 230 million people around the world have atopic dermatitis and the lifetime prevalence is >15% especially in wealthier countries. It typically affects people with an ‘atopic tendency’ clustering with hay fever, asthma, and food allergies. All races can be affected; some races are more susceptible to developing atopic dermatitis, and genetic studies are showing marked diversity of the condition’s extent (heterogeneity) between populations.

Atopic dermatitis usually starts in infancy, affecting up to 20% of children. Approximately 80% of children affected develop it before the age of 6 years. All ages can be affected. Although it can settle in late childhood and adolescence, the prevalence in young adults up to 26 years of age is still 5–15%.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition that usually causes patches of red, scaly skin to develop in various locations on your body. Although these patches can occur anywhere, they’re most common on your trunk, knees, and elbows.

Other symptoms of psoriasis may include:

• Pitted or thickened nails
• Cracked skin that bleeds
• Soreness of affected skin
• Swollen or stiff joints

In most cases, the symptoms of psoriasis appear for the first time between the ages of 15-35, but it’s possible for children under 10 to develop this condition as well.

Cosmetic dermatology services are designed to resolve certain embarrassing skin issues such as acne, wrinkles, and scars. These can include cosmetic treatments such as laser, fillers, and neuromodulators (such as Botox®).

Vascular lesions can result from an abundant amount of large vessels forming underneath the skin. Vascular lesions can be many different sizes and forms. Forms can include a large birthmark called a port wine stain, capillaries that have broken, cherry angiomas and hemangiomas. These can also be in the form of keloids, lipomas, benign skin tumors and atypical moles.

Pigmented lesions are common and usually harmless. In fact, nearly all adults have at least a few of them on their skin.

Pigmented lesions are usually no cause for concern. But some can develop into different forms of skin cancer. That’s why it’s important for you and your doctor to monitor them closely. You might need an examination by a dermatologist for pigmented lesions that change color, shape, or size.

The Bottom Line

1. Once the sun comes up no matter if it’s a cloudy day or cold, it has an effect.
2. Sun damage is cumulative so a brief “run out to the car” is adding fertilizer to the grass.
3. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every three hours, and sometimes even more depending on sweat/swimming or brightness of the sun.
4. All chemical sunscreens need to be applied fifteen to twenty minutes prior to it working. Mineral sunblocks such as zinc or titanium oxides work immediately.
5. SPF should be a minimum of 30 and preferably SPF 60. “SPF” only gives us UVB protection, one must look for UVA protection (Broad Spectrum) on the label.

Although the exact cause of acne is unknown, there are four aspects that play a role—excess oil, clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation.  Increased sebum production during adolescence, along with immature hair follicles can cause acne formation.  The clogging of the pores by the thick sebum causes acne lesions.

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects mainly the face.  The most common areas for rosacea symptoms are the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead.  The neck, chest, and eyes can also be involved.  Flushing, redness, and blushing are early signs of the condition.