Dallas Associated Dermatologists

Medical Dermatology

Moles

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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 to Moles

At Dallas Associated Dermatologists, we understand that moles are a common skin concern that can cause uncertainty about appearance and health. Our team provides thorough evaluations to distinguish between harmless moles and those that may require closer monitoring. Using advanced diagnostic tools and dermatologic expertise, we ensure each mole is carefully assessed for changes in size, shape, or color that could indicate potential risks. We prioritize patient education so you feel confident in understanding when a mole is normal and when professional attention is needed.

Expertise in Mole Care and Removal

Our board-certified dermatologists are highly skilled in both medical and cosmetic mole care. For patients who wish to have a mole removed for health or cosmetic reasons, we offer safe and effective treatment options that minimize scarring and maximize comfort. We specialize in surgical excision, shave removal, and advanced methods that provide excellent cosmetic outcomes. Whether you need routine mole checks or removal, we tailor every treatment plan to your unique needs, ensuring both your health and your confidence are fully supported.

Schedule your appointment with us now!

Shingles

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What Are Shingles?

Shingles is a painful and sometimes debilitating skin condition that causes a rash, redness, fatigue, and burning pain.

This skin condition is the result of a viral infection by the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you had chickenpox, the virus is likely still in your nervous system, where it can remain dormant for decades.

When the virus resurges, it presents as shingles. According to the CDC, one-third of people in the U.S. will suffer from shingles at some point in their lives. There is a shingles vaccine, but if you have already contracted shingles, the vaccine is of little use.

Shingles can be life-altering, leaving a person bed-bound or in excruciating pain. This condition cannot be reversed or cured, but the symptoms can be treated to provide relief.

Are you suffering from shingles? At Dallas Associated Dermatologists, we can help.

What are the Symptoms?

  • Pain and burning, usually on one side of the body
  • A red rash with fluid-filled blisters
  • Itching
  • Rash on face and ears, or wrapping around the spine to the torso
  • Fever and chills
  • Headaches and muscle weakness
  • Fatigue

In rare instances, severe complications such as intense eye pain, loss of hearing in one ear, dizziness, or bacterial infection may also occur.

Different Types of Shingles

There’s only one type of this condition, but it can appear primarily on certain parts of the body, such as:

  • The face
  • The eyes
  • The mouth

If you get them on your face, the rash will usually be on only one side. Should the rash be close to your ear, the result may be a loss of hearing or balance. If it occur in your mouth, you may have a hard time tasting your food.

Shingles of the eye typically present as a rash on your eyelids. Should this happen, blurry vision and even nerve damage or long-term vision loss are possible.

It’s essential to get immediate care from your dermatologist at Dallas Associated Dermatologists to protect yourself against long-term ramifications.

What Causes Them?

In medical terms, it is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is responsible for chickenpox. While doctors don’t know why some people get shingles and others don’t, you can get shingles if you have had chickenpox either as a child or adult.

Shingles is more common in older adults due to compromised immune systems. Other causes include:

  • Emotional stress
  • Aging
  • Undergoing cancer treatments
  • Recovering from major surgery

Due to the serious issues that can arise with an outbreak, see your dermatologist right away to decide on the best method of treatment.

Treatment Options

If you believe you are suffering from this skin condition, call to make an appointment with your dermatologist at Dallas Associated Dermatologists as soon as possible to discuss treatment options. The earlier you get treatment, the less severe your shingles symptoms may be.

Schedule your appointment with us now!

Actinic Keratosis

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Actinic keratosis is a skin condition characterized by one or more rough, scaly patches as a result of cumulative sun exposure.

Actinic keratosis can occur on any part of the body, but it most often occurs in out-of-the-way areas where a person has omitted using sunblock. This includes the ears, lips, back of the neck or hands, or even the scalp.

This is also sometimes called solar keratosis because it is caused by sun exposure. Those over the age of 40 are more apt to develop this condition since it occurs from the cumulative effects of UV light exposure.

Screening and treatment for actinic keratosis is available at Dallas Associated Dermatologists.

What are the Symptoms of Actinic Keratosis?

Though actinic keratosis can differ from one person to another, the signs and symptoms remain the same across the board. Typically, the most common signs and symptoms include a patch of skin that is dry, rough, or scaly. Most often, this patch of skin is less than one inch in diameter.

Other symptoms include color variations such as brown, red, or pink, itching or burning, crusting or bleeding, a slightly-raised bump on the top layer of skin, and new patches on such sun-exposed areas as hands, neck, head, and forearms.

Types of Actinic Keratosis

There are five different types:

  • Hypertrophic
  • Atrophic
  • Bowenoid
  • Acantholytic
  • Pigmented

Of these five, the hypertrophic and atrophic types are the most common.

Also, studies have shown that for those individuals who suffer from hypertrophic actinic keratosis, there is a greater chance it may evolve into a form of cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma.

What Causes Actinic Keratosis?

When an actinic keratosis forms, it is most often due to a person being exposed to intense UV rays on a frequent basis.

While most cases result from overexposure to the sun’s UV rays, many people with this condition have also exposed their skin to the intensity of tanning beds.

While anyone can potentially get an actinic keratosis, some have certain risk factors that put them at even greater risk.

These factors include:

  • Having red or blond hair and either blue or light-colored eyes
  • Prior history of bad sunburns
  • Tendency to freckle or burn when exposed to sunlight
  • Aged 40 or older
  • Working primarily outdoors
  • Possessing a weakened immune system
  • Living in a sunny climate

Treatment Options

While a simple examination of your skin may allow a doctor to diagnose this, a skin biopsy may be performed as an added precaution.

Since it is always possible that this may be a precursor to skin cancer, don’t take any chances with your health. Talk to your dermatologist right away for a screening.

Conditions

“As usual, it was great! Dr. Crawford more or less is why I’m able to type this. He has found numerous melanomas, squamous and basal carcinomas over the past 15 years. Today was a cyst. Something new for me but was a success.”

Schedule your appointment with us now!

Psoriasis

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About Psoriasis

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder in which your skin produces skin cells much faster than normal. This causes them to build up into thick, flaky, itchy, inflamed patches. There are several types of psoriasis, including plaque, guttate, nail, inverse, and several other types that are rare. Common areas of the body where psoriasis develops include the scalp, torso, arms, thighs, armpits, groin, fingernails, and toenails. There’s also very painful psoriatic arthritis, in which both the skin and the nearby joints are stiff and inflamed. While psoriasis most commonly appears in people between the ages of 15 to 35, approximately 10% of people who develop psoriasis will be under the age of 10 when symptoms appear and 4% will have their first sign of psoriasis occur over the age of 60.

External Symptoms

Symptoms of this, especially early on, can be similar to other conditions like eczema or skin allergies. However, as time goes on, the physical symptoms of psoriasis can worsen including itchy, flaking skin that bleeds or cracks and thick, discolored, and/or ridged nails.

Internal Symptoms

Some of the most damaging symptoms of psoriasis occur internally with the emotional distress one faces with this, as well as psoriatic arthritis which occurs in 30% of people who are affected by the disease. Psoriatic arthritis is painful and affects the joints most commonly in the fingers and toes, feet, and lower back. Also, there is a higher rate of heart disease, stroke, and other internal diseases associated with psoriasis.

What causes it?

Genetics and the immune system function play major roles in the appearance of psoriasis. Instead of the immune system protecting the body from viruses, foreign proteins, and bacteria, the immune system in someone with psoriasis “misfires” and attacks healthy cells. This causes inflammation in the skin leading to more rapid growth of skin cells. The increased growth of skin cells requires more blood circulation to feed the process which results in a multitude of psoriatic symptoms.
The genetic predisposition to psoriasis involves the abnormal function of the inflammatory cells called T-lymphocytes, or “T-cells”. While many people live with these abnormal T-cells without having symptoms of this, there are many situations that can trigger these cells to create the red, scaly patches.
Common triggers include…

Strep infections

For children ages 10 or younger, the most common trigger is strep infection, the most common of which is strep throat.

Emotional distress

Emotional distress is a common trigger in adults.

Skin irritation

Skin irritations such as scrapes or irritations from getting a tattoo applied are other triggers.

Medications

Certain medications including lithium, antimalarials, Inderal, quinidine, and indomethacin have been associated with triggering psoriasis.

Common treatments

Though psoriasis is not contagious, it is unpredictable. You may heal without warning only to have it return just as quickly or years later. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for this, but our dermatologists have the knowledge and experience necessary to help you manage your symptoms. Our psoriasis treatment options include topical medications, Vitamin D (steroids or retinol creams/gels), oral treatments, biologic treatments (retinoid pills, chemotherapy medicine), light therapy, and UV-B light (controlled doses of sunlight).

Our approach & expertise

We know that an aggressive and troublesome skin condition like psoriasis can affect you both physically and psychologically. As your community skin specialists, we’re here to provide encouragement and answers to questions you may have about this problematic skin issue. Contact us today if you notice symptoms so that we can help you deal with this unpredictable condition. We provide treatment options that can be tailored to suit your needs and goals, and we’ll be by your side each step of the way, addressing your concerns and providing advice and after-care support.

Schedule your appointment with us now!

Acne

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

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

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

Acne is highly treatable by your dermatologist.

What are the Symptoms?

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

Generally, the most common symptoms 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.

Types of Acne

The two most common forms of acne 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 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 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 this. 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 with us now!