SESoutheast Dermatology
Patient Education

Understand your skin

We believe informed patients make better decisions. Browse plain-language articles on skin conditions, growths, skin cancers, hair loss, infections, everyday skin care, and cosmetic treatments, written for you by our board-certified team.

44 articles across 7 topics
14 articles

Skin Conditions

Everyday and chronic conditions of the skin, from acne to psoriasis.

Acne

Acne results from blocked hair follicles and responds to various treatments ranging from over-the-counter products to laser therapy.

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Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema, a chronic, itchy rash that most often affects children and is managed with gentle skin care and, when needed, prescription or systemic treatments.

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Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a form of eczema triggered by skin contact with an irritant or allergen, causing redness, inflammation, and itching that can be managed through avoidance and gentle skin care.

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Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema causes small, itchy blisters on the hands and feet and tends to flare in cycles.

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Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)

Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating beyond what the body needs to cool itself, often affecting the underarms, hands, and feet.

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Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis pilaris causes small, rough bumps, often on the upper arms and thighs, and is harmless though sometimes bothersome.

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Melasma

Melasma is a common skin condition that causes splotchy brown patches on the face, most often in women aged 20-40 with medium to darker skin tones, and can be managed with sun protection and a range of treatments.

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Perioral Dermatitis

Perioral dermatitis is a facial rash of small red bumps that appears around the mouth, nose, or eyes.

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Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common immune-mediated disease that produces red, scaly skin plaques and can cause joint inflammation, and while there is no cure, a range of treatment options is available.

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Rosacea

Rosacea is a common facial skin condition marked by redness, visible blood vessels, and pimple-like breakouts that can also affect the eyes.

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Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common condition that causes flaking, redness, and greasy scale on the scalp, face, and other oily areas.

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Urticaria (Hives)

Urticaria, or hives, is a temporary skin rash characterized by itchy welts that resolve within 24 hours, though new lesions may continue appearing over weeks or months.

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Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that destroys pigment-producing cells, causing white patches on the skin and hair, and is managed with treatments such as topical medications and phototherapy.

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Warts

Warts are benign, contagious skin growths caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that can be treated with a range of at-home and in-office approaches.

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7 articles

Skin Growths

Common benign growths: what they are, and when to have them checked.

Cysts

Cysts are common benign skin growths made of fluid-filled sacs that appear as round lumps on or beneath the skin and are definitively treated by surgical removal.

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Dermatofibroma

A dermatofibroma is a common, harmless, firm bump in the skin, often found on the legs.

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Keloids

Keloids are thick, firm growths of excess scar tissue that extend beyond the original wound and occur most often in people with darker skin tones.

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Lipoma

A lipoma is a soft, movable, noncancerous growth of fat that sits just beneath the skin.

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Moles (Nevi)

Moles are common skin growths caused by clusters of pigment-producing cells that typically appear during childhood and adolescence.

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Seborrheic Keratoses

Seborrheic keratoses are very common, harmless skin growths that tend to develop with age and can be removed if they become bothersome.

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Skin Tags

Skin tags are common, benign skin growths that appear in areas of friction and can be removed if they become bothersome or symptomatic.

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5 articles

Precancers & Skin Cancers

Early warning signs, diagnosis, and treatment of precancers and skin cancers.

Actinic Keratoses

Actinic keratoses are precancerous, rough scaly skin growths caused by long-term UV exposure that can progress to squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated.

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Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and the most frequently occurring form of all cancers.

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Melanoma

Melanoma is a dangerous skin cancer arising from pigment-producing cells that can spread throughout the body, identifiable by asymmetry, irregular borders, color variation, and size or appearance changes.

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Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and most cases are highly treatable when found early.

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Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer, usually appearing on sun-exposed skin and typically treated with surgery.

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3 articles

Hair Loss

Why hair thins or sheds, and the options for treating it.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes circular patches of hair loss ranging from a few localized spots to total body hair loss, with an unpredictable course and a range of available treatments.

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Hair Loss

Hair loss becomes a concern when daily shedding exceeds the normal 50-100 hairs or when follicles go dormant, and its type determines the right treatment.

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Male Pattern Hair Loss (Androgenetic Alopecia)

Male-patterned baldness, driven by genetics and hormones, affects roughly half of men by age 50, though various treatments can slow its progression.

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7 articles

Infections & Infestations

Bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic conditions of the skin.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection of the deeper structures of the skin that requires prompt antibiotic treatment to prevent serious complications.

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Folliculitis

Folliculitis is inflammation of the hair follicles that causes small, red or pus-filled bumps resembling a pimply rash.

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Impetigo

Impetigo is a common, contagious bacterial skin infection that causes red sores and honey-colored crusts, most often in children.

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Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a common, harmless viral skin infection that causes small, firm, dome-shaped bumps.

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Scabies

Scabies is an intensely itchy rash caused by infestation with the burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei, spread by prolonged skin-to-skin contact and treatable with topical and/or oral medications.

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Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Shingles is a painful, one-sided rash caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus that can be prevented with vaccines and eased with antiviral medications.

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Tinea

Tinea is a group of fungal infections affecting the skin, hair, and nails, named by the body area involved and treated with topical or oral antifungals.

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3 articles

Skin Care

Protecting your skin and preventing sun damage over a lifetime.

Sun Safety

Year-round UV protection through sunscreen, protective clothing, hats, and shade helps prevent sun damage to the skin.

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Sunscreen

Dermatologists recommend using a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, applied liberally before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours, to protect skin from harmful UV radiation.

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The Damaging Effects of UV Radiation

UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds can cause long-term damage to the eyes, skin, immune system, and certain skin conditions.

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5 articles

Cosmetics

Aesthetic treatments that refresh, restore, and rejuvenate.

Botox

Botox is a purified injectable that temporarily relaxes the muscles responsible for frown lines, forehead lines, and crow's feet.

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Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are cosmetic procedures that use chemical solutions to exfoliate the skin's outer layer, treating concerns like fine lines, uneven tone, discoloration, and sun damage.

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Fillers

Injectable filler treatments use gel-like substances to restore facial volume and reduce visible signs of aging.

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Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal uses concentrated beams of light absorbed by hair-follicle pigment to damage the follicles and reduce hair regrowth, usually over multiple treatments.

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Microneedling

Microneedling is a minimally invasive skin-rejuvenation treatment that uses tiny needles to create microscopic punctures, triggering collagen production to improve scars, wrinkles, and skin texture.

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Ready when you are

Have a skin concern of your own?

Reading is a great start, but nothing replaces a professional evaluation. Request an appointment online or call either office to see one of our board-certified dermatologists.

Request Appointment (281) 991-5944