Medical

Skin Cancer

There are three major types of skin cancer: basal cell cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Each of these skin cancers is primarily caused by too much exposure to the sun, but genetics may also play a role in increasing your risk for skin cancer.

Skin diseases and cancers are most effectively diagnosed through a biopsy that can be performed in our office and sent to a specialist or lab. For early-stage skin cancers, a biopsy or the surgical removal of the affected area can stop cancer from spreading.

Acne

Acne is a very common condition that is mostly due to a genetic predisposition. Comedones, pimples, and cysts can occur due to improper shedding of skin cells around the hair follicle that leads to a build of oil. Bacteria may become more active in this environment leading to significant inflammation. For most people, acne starts to appear during puberty and lasts into the early 20s, and in some cases, will start or last well into adulthood. We treat with a personalized approach that takes into account the type of acne, location of the acne, and general preferences regarding types of treatment.

Eczema

Eczema is generally a genetic condition that results in very dry itchy red scaly patches. There are different types of eczema such as atopic dermatitis and nummular eczema. Environmental factors also play a role such as temperature and humidity. In Idaho, the humidity is generally very low which can exacerbate eczema symptoms. We treat eczema with a personalized approach with a strong focus on prevention strategies.

Hair Loss

There are many types of hair loss. We first diagnose the type of hair loss. Sometimes the history of the hair loss is sufficient, but a biopsy or laboratory tests may be needed. We generally schedule a long appointment to get a thorough history, discuss diagnostic tests, discuss different diagnoses, and discuss a variety of treatment options. The most common type of hair loss of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness), but there are many other types of hair loss such as telogen effluvium, frontal fibrosing alopecia, and lichen planopilaris.

Treating hair loss can be done at home or in our office depending on the type of procedure best suited for your needs.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic disease that is caused by having an overactive immune system and the result of the skin production process moving too quickly. These processes result in inflamed skin that may be red and very scaly. Psoriasis generally appears on the elbows, knees, and scalp, but may occur all over the body. Many treatment options are available. We will help create a personalized treatment plan that is right for you. We also have narrow band UVB in the office that is a safe treatment that may help avoid systemic therapy.

Rosacea

From the redness across your cheeks to the acne-like bumps that form on your skin, if you’re one of the 14 million Americans who suffer from rosacea, you know the cosmetic and psychological toll it can take. We offer multiple treatment options for rosacea including topical therapy, oral therapy, and laser therapy.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin condition marked by loss of skin color in patches. It can affect the skin and hair on any part of the body, even inside the mouth. Skin color is determined by melanin, and in those with vitiligo, melanin-producing cells die or stop functioning. This results in blotches of skin that are lighter than the surrounding skin.
Vitiligo can appear at any age, but most commonly presents itself before age 20. There are three main types of vitiligo: generalized (covering many parts of the body), segmental (only on one side of the body), and localized or focal (only affecting one or a few areas of the body).