Medical Services
Whether it's a jellyfish sting, poison ivy, or psoriasis, we've got your skin condition covered and you'll be feeling and looking better in no time. We see all skin disease from newborns to the elderly and there's no case that is too easy or too difficult for our team. Dermatologists are the experts in treating skin disease, so don't waste you time or money on treatments recommended by others. Here is a list of skin conditions that we see and treat on a regular basis:
- Acne
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Warts
- Rosacea
- Contact Dermatitis
- Dandruff or Seborrhea
- Ringworm
- Hair Loss
- Nail Problems
- Skin Infections
- Bug and other bites
- Scabies
- Dry skin
- Itching
- Sunburns
- Cold sores
- Genital rashes
- Hives
- Skin allergies
- Age Spots
- Excessive Sweating
- Chicken pox and other childhood rashes
- Molluscum Contagiosum
To see more information on these conditions follow the links to sites with Gulf Coast Dermatology-approved patient information.
Skin Cancer
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer. There are 3 main forms of BCC: superficial, nodular, and infiltrating. The superficial form is easily treated with a simple procedure called electrodessication and curettage leaving the best cosmetic outcome in most cases. The nodular form is treated with surgical excision in most cases. The infiltrative form is treated with a special procedure called Mohs' micrographic surgery.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the 2nd most common form of skin cancer. It is sometimes very superficial (SCC in-situ). In this case it may be treated with electrodessication and curretage. Most cases require surgical excision or Mohs' micrographic curgery, depending on the size and location. Rarely, radiation or lymph node surgery may be required.
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and can spread to major organs and lead to death. Complete skin exams by a dermatologist and self-skin exams by patients can save your life or the life of a loved one. Any mole that is new or changing should by seen by a board-certified dermatologist. When in doubt, get it checked out!
Skin cancer screenings are performed by dermatologists. It is covered by every major insurance plan and no referrals from primary care providers are required. The rates of melanoma have risen every year and dermatologists are the best physicians to diagnose melanoma with accuracy. Everyone can benefit from a skin exam, but if you have a personal or family history of skin cancer, it is mandatory.
To learn more about these forms of skin cancer, continue to this website.
Surgery
We perform multiple procedures for treating spots of concern on the skin. From skin tags to melanoma, your dermatologist is ready to remove these areas and leave a minimal scar. We require consultation prior to any procedure so the appropriate time can be allotted for your procedure. This keeps us running on time so that patients don't have to wait.
We request that patients stop taking aspirin, other NSAIDs, and Vitamin E supplements one week prior to surgery unless there is a heart condition requiring the medicine. Patients on Coumadin or Plavix, should continue taking their medicine prior to surgery because they are at risk of heart attack and stroke while off these medicines and a little extra bleeding is better than death.
Here is a list of surgical procedures we perform at Gulf Coast Dermatology:
Biopsies: A simple procedure used to diagnose a skin lesion. The area is numbed with buffered lidocaine, so that it is nearly painless. In most cases a tiny sample is all that is required and no scar is left. Larger, scoop biopsies, can leave disfiguring scars but we do not use this technique.
Skin tag removal: We use very sharp scissors to quickly and nearly painlessly remove small tags under the arms, in the groin, or on the neck. This is quick and easy, but should not be attempted at home due to risk of infection.
Cryosurgery: Liquid nitrogen is used in every dermatology office to destroy benign and premalignant skin lesions. This is the most effective therapy for warts and leaves no scar. It is painful for a short period of time.
Electrocautery: Electric current is passed to the end of a metal electrode to burn the skin. This is used for benign spots on the face and eyelids. It can also be used to treat stubborn warts. It is painful and in many cases the area is numbed ahead of time.
Electrodessication and curettage: This procedure for superficial skin cancers is quick and easy. The skin cancer cells are scraped off using a special tool and then the base of the area is burned using electrocautery. It has a low recurrence rate and is preferred by many older patients due to the lack of stitches and ease of caring for the wound.
Excisions: Done for most atypical moles and skin cancers. The area of concern is removed with a margin of normal tissue and then stitches are placed to bring the skin back together. The tissue is sent to the lab to make sure all of the area of concern is gone.
Reconstructive Flaps and Skin Grafts: After large areas are removed, sometimes the skin will not come back together on its own. In these cases skin flaps or grafts must be used to close the wound. Dermasurgeons are trained extensively in these techniques and are adept at performing complex reconstruction.
Mohs' Micrographic Surgery: this technique removes skin cancer and checks the entire margin under the microscope in the office before the wound is closed. This way you can be sure that the skin cancer is gone in one visit. This surgery is performed in the office without the risks of general anesthesia.
