Expert Tips & Wisdom

Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac Treatment

by Steven Kern, MD
Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan depending on the severity of the rash. Never apply to the skin creams, lotions, ointments, or sprays containing benzocaine (examples: Solarcaine and othe... More...

Hydroquinone and Sun Protection

by Steven Kern, MD
PRESCRIPTION STRENGTH HYDROQUINONE PRODUCTS Opaque with partial sunblock Eldopaque Forte* Non Opaque Eldoquin Forte* Cream Melanex Solution Soloquin Forte* Cream or Gel Su... More...

Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

by Steven Kern, MD
What causes shingles? Shingles (Herpes zoster) is a nerve infection caused by the chicken pox virus.  Shingles results from activation of chicken-pox virus that has remained in your body since... More...

Perioral Dermatitis

by Steven Kern, MD
PERIORAL DERMATITIS INSTRUCTION SHEET You have a condition that occurs around your mouth and many times only on your chin, that is known as Perioral Dermatitis, or Rosacea-like Dermatitis. This is ... More...

Keratosis Pilaris

by Steven Kern, MD
This disorder causes the formation of small rough spiny elevations of the skin similar to gooseflesh over large areas such as the upper arms and thighs.  It is most prominent in cold weather and ... More...

Intertrigo

by Steven Kern, MD
Your doctor will mark the treatments that are appropriate for your particular situation. Follow these general techniques to keep the body folds as dry as possible. Continue these suggestions indefi... More...

Facial Flushing

by Steven Kern, MD
Flushing may have multiple causes.  It is most often due to an increased sensitivity of your blood vessels to substances produced by your body.  It may be aggravated by various substances fo... More...

Coal Tar for Psoriasis

by Steven Kern, MD
WHAT IS COAL TAR USED FOR? Coal tar is often used in the treatment of psoriasis and sometimes in the treatment of eczema (dermatitis).  It may be used alone (described here) or combined w... More...

Boils and Carbuncles

by Steven Kern, MD
RECURRENT BOILS What causes boils? Boils (furuncles) are painful swellings of the skin caused by a deep infection with staphylococcus bacteria.  The bacteria enter the skin from the outside... More...

Anthralin for Psoriasis

by Steven Kern, MD
Anthralin Treatment of Alopecia Areata What is anthralin? Anthralin is a drug that will cause skin irritation.  In some cases, this will induce hair growth.  A mild degree of irritatio... More...

Aging Skin & Wrinkles

by Steven Kern, MD
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON AGING SKIN WHAT IS PHOTODAMAGE AND HOW CAN IT BE PREVENTED? “Photodamage” is a term that encompasses all harmful interactions between sun and skin, both acut... More...

What to do about Moles?

by Steven Kern, MD
Moles are the familiar and normal tumors on the skin most people. They can come at any time and at any age. Most occur during one’s adult’s life they come in large numbers as a shower of l... More...

Tips for Dry Skin

by Steven Kern, MD
What causes dry skin? Several factors contribute to dry skin. Repeated exposure to soaps, solvents, hot water, and disinfectants are often at fault. These remove the lipid (oil) from the top layer ... More...

Tips to Avoid Itching

by Steven Kern, MD
You can take some basic steps to reduce itching Bathing Bathe or shower with lukewarm or cool (not hot) water. Lubrication Within three minutes after drying after every bath or shower, app... More...

What is an AK?

by Steven Kern, MD
What is an actinic keratosis? “Keratosis” (plural keratosis) refers to a rough scaly spot. An actinic keratosis (sometimes called a solar keratosis) is a rough scaly spot caused by many... More...

Seborrheic Keratosis

by Steven Kern, MD
Seborrheic Keratoses (singular:  Seborrheic Keratosis) are harmless, common skin growths. They occur during adult life, gradually increasing in number. Some persons have a very large number of th... More...

Patient Education

Acne Treatment

  What causes acne? Acne is caused by plugged oil glands.  At puberty, the oil glands in the skin start producing an oily material called sebum.  This is discharged onto the skin&rs... More...

Atopic Dermatitis Triggers & Tips

What is Atopic Dermatitis? Atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema) is a fairly common skin disease that affects about 3% of the U.S. population.  It tends to occur in families who have asthma, ... More...

Dermatofibroma

What is a dermatofibroma? A dermatofibroma is a slowly-growing, round to oval, brownish to purple, firm skin growth that is usually dome-shaped, but may be depressed below the skin surface. &n... More...

NeoSkin by Aerolase

NeoSkin by Aerolase is the perfect anti-aging solution for all ages and all skin types who either want to keep their skin clear and youthful or for those that want to turn back the clock and regain a ... More...

Poison Ivy and Poison Oak Overview

What causes poison ivy or poison oak rash? Poison ivy and poison oak rashes are caused by allergy to a substance called urushiol found in these plants.  Since urushiol is found in all par... More...

Psoriasis of the Scalp Treatment

Use the medication selected by your dermatologist. The choices will depend on the severity of your scalp involvement. Tar Shampoo: Wet the scalp thoroughly in the shower.  Then apply a sham... More...

Psoriasis Overview

What is psoriasis? A chronic skin disorder that affects at least 4 million people in the United States. What causes psoriasis? No one knows. Skin injury, emotional stress and some forms of in... More...

Tinea Versicolor

What Causes Tinea Versicolor? Tinea Versicolor is a harmless skin disorder caused by a yeast-like organism living on normal skin.  Usually, this yeast, which all of us have on our skin, g... More...

Tretinoin

Tretinoin (RETIN-A) Therapy for Acne What Is Tretinoin? Tretinoin (trade name Retin A) is a very effective drug against acne.  It is similar to Vitamin A in structure.  It ac... More...