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How Winter Weather Affects Your Skin

The cold, dry winter months effect all skin types, but what if you are already suffering from a condition? It is important to be proactive to understand how the winter weather affects your skin condition. Here are some common skin conditions, how the weather affects it and how to better manage the symptoms.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic condition that causes the face to become inflamed and remain red for an extended period of time. This can be a frustrating condition; however, it causes no internal health issues. In the winter months, your skin can be especially delicate as it fights against the harsh temperatures and conditions. Try to keep your skin covered from the elements. Wearing a scarf is a great idea, as you can pull it up to cover your nose and cheeks as you trek to your destination. It’s important to stick to your treatment plan. However, if you are experiencing more intense flushing, start applying a heavy moisturizer and talk to your dermatologist about adding something seasonal to your treatment regimen.

Psoriasis

Phototherapy and spending time in the sunlight are common psoriasis treatments. The condition causes a buildup of skin cells that leave scaly, raised patches. In addition to the patches, psoriasis can also cause small, red bumps that cover different areas of the body. Decreased exposure to sunlight can play a huge role in the increased intensity of the condition during winter months. Try talking to your doctor about phototherapy, a new psoriasis treatment, to supplement for the time lost in the natural sunlight. Another reason for the condition worsening is the dry weather. A lack of humidity in the air can cause dry skin. A way to add moisture back into the air is to use a humidifier in your home, allowing your skin to drink in a bit more hydration.

Eczema

The skin condition, eczema is commonly seen as red, irritated and bumpy skin. It is often itchy and uncomfortable. Although it is not treatable, eczema is easily managed. However, in the winter, flare-ups occur more often causing heightened symptoms due to rapid temperature changes, especially when coming indoors from a cold day. To help avoid a reaction that may cause your skin to inflame, it is important to regulate your temperature as best possible. Try keeping your heater at a low setting. While it may seem nice to walk into an incredibly warm house after being in the cold, keeping your heater at a lower setting helps your skin acclimate to the temperature more easily.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Similar to dandruff, but with more serious implications, seborrheic dermatitis causes a red, burning scalp with flakes. However, unlike dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis can appear on your body anywhere hair is present. The dryness of the winter can cause your condition to worsen, but be sure to still follow your treatment plan. Don’t use hot water when showering, but instead use lukewarm water so your scalp does not become inflamed. Try adding a humidifier in your home so your scalp stays moisturized without adding extra products to your hair or increasing oil production.

You can’t change the weather, but you can change up your daily routine by adding some simple items to your home treatment regimen. If your skin condition is beginning to worsen, it may be caused by the weather. Talk to your dermatologist about changes in your condition and ask about different treatment options. If you suffer from one of the conditions listed above, the dermatologists at Knoxville Dermatology Group are ready to help. Visit our website or give us a call to schedule an appointment at 865-690-9467.

Skin Routine Post-Treatment: Do’s and Don’ts

Skin Routine Post-Treatment: Do’s and Don’ts

When it comes to skin procedures, the aftercare is as important as the treatment itself. Do you plan on undergoing laser treatment, microdermabrasion or even a facial peel anytime soon? Be sure to continue reading to understand the do’s and don’ts of a post-treatment skincare routine.

Don’t Overload Your Skin

Treatments and procedures are an exciting way to let your best face shine, but be cautious when taking care of your skin post-treatment. Avoid harsh chemicals, peels, waxes, or other laser treatments at least two weeks after your appointment. Avoiding these will allow your skin to heal and return its hardy barrier to its natural state. Your skin will be more inflamed and irritated than usual, so make sure to stick to the basics of washing, moisturizing, and leaving your skin alone.

Don’t Congest Your Skin

Once the skin is clear of dead cells, toxins, hair, or any additional skin condition the treatment is targeting, it’s time to give the skin a break. It is recommended to avoid makeup or any topical creams on the treated area. Applying these substances clogs the pores of the affected area, causing further irritation and damage to the skin. If necessary, apply makeup or creams in small amounts to see if irritation does occur.

Do Avoid Sun Exposure and Excess Heat

Post-treatment, the skin’s protective barrier is weakened. Since the protective barrier isn’t as strong, it leaves the skin more vulnerable and inclined to damage. After your procedure, it is crucial to stay out of the sun for at least seven days post-treatment. Direct exposure to the sun is detrimental to the skin due to the harsh effects of UV rays, which will slow down the healing process. This is due to the excess skin sensitivity from a treatment that leaves you more inflamed and irritated than usual. The vulnerability of the skin post-treatment calls for cold temperatures and reduced exposure to heat. Avoid excess heat from hot showers, tubs, heating pads, or saunas. A surplus of heat causes the pores to open up, which could cause further irritation and discomfort.

Do Use Sunscreen

Sunscreen is always a good idea, but it is imperative when you’ve just undergone a skin treatment. Recently, treated skin, such as laser removal and microdermabrasion, makes the skin extremely vulnerable and prone to damage. The sun and its damaging effects require you to stack up on the SPF. Even if exposed for a short amount of time, it is vital to wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. Wearing sunscreen will ensure that your skin will stay protected, even in the harshest of conditions. It’s important to remember that being in the sun for a short amount of time still does some damage. With that said, don’t forget to layer up on the SPF and reapply every so often!

Do Know What You’re Getting Into

Facial treatments have an immense impact on the skin, so it is essential to know everything about the procedure in which you’re undergoing. If you want to address skin issues, such as wrinkles or acne, you should highly consider visiting a dermatologist’s office rather than a spa. Spas, unlike a skin professional’s office, focus on short-term improvements and the idea of pampering their clients. On the other hand, dermatologists have the power to go beyond skin treatments and evaluate their clients on a deeper and more effective level. They also go beyond cosmetic issues and look at your skin for signs of more severe problems such as skin cancer, which could end up saving your life.

Whatever treatment you plan to undergo, the experts at Knoxville Dermatology Group are skilled professionals who can provide various skin treatments, procedures, and consultations.

How Stress Affects Your Skin

Stress has a destructive relationship with our skin. Everything in the body is correlated, so it transpires onto our most outer layer. Stress has an immense impact on both the extrinsic and intrinsic factors of our skin, which can cause the body to react in various negative ways. The skin is much deeper than just the outer layer, as our mind and the organ work together. If you are a victim to stress and might possess stress-related symptoms, ask yourself the following:

  • How am I eating?
  • How am I sleeping? Have my sleeping patterns changed?
  • When my skin issue started, what was going on in my life?
  • Are my symptoms stress related?

Understanding Your Stress Hormone & How it Works

Cortisol is the body’s stress hormone which fuels the its’ “fight-or-flight” response. This hormone is released during periods of stress which in return increases heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, respiration and muscle tension. Cortisol also reduces the body’s system functions that are not needed during times of crisis, such as the reproductive, digestive and immune systems. Other functions of cortisol include:

  • Regulates blood pressure
  • Increases the body’s glucose production (blood sugar levels)
  • Enhances the body’s energy and restores balance
  • Assists in memory formation
  • Controls your sleep/wake cycle
  • Regulates inflammation

How does cortisol work? Two glands in the brain, the hypothalamus and pituitary, sense if the bloodstream contains the right level of cortisol. If levels are too low, the brain adjusts the amount of hormones it produces. The adrenal glands sense these signals and then determine the amount of cortisol to release. Most of the cells in the body contain cortisol receptors, which receive and use the hormone in various ways. The body’s needs vary from day to day, which causes the level of cortisol production to rise and fall accordingly.

 Stress vs. Skin

The major concern with stress and skin is inflammation. When stress affects the body through the skin, it can develop through three different skin conditions: acne, rosacea and psoriasis. The common denominator between these stress-caused symptoms is the reddish color, which comes from inflammation.

Acne

During periods of excessive stress, one may experience more acne-related breakouts than usual. High levels of cortisol result in elevated sebum (oil) production which causes pores to become clogged. Once pores are clogged, the development of inflammation and bacteria cause acne to form.

Rosacea

According to the National Rosacea Society, there have been multiple scientific studies on how the process of facial flushing and redness are linked to high levels of stress. Heat and stress are triggers of rosacea and can cause redness flare-ups to the skin.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis and stress have an intertwined relationship. Stress causes psoriasis, while psoriasis can cause stress. While professionals are not sure how stress directly affects psoriasis, they assume it has something to do with the immune system and its functionality.

Stress can also accelerate the aging cycle in the body, resulting in wrinkles and dark circles. Wrinkles form as a result from dehydration and loss of collagen. Similarly, dark circles are largely related to dehydration in the body and a lack of sleep. To combat the effects stress has on wrinkles and under eye circles, one must stay hydrated and conscious of their stress levels.

Questions to Ask Your Dermatologist

As the effect of stress on the skin comes off as quite complex, it is important to refer to a professional with all of your skin-related concerns. Some stress-related skin questions include the following:

  • How can I combat stress-related symptoms with my specific skin type?
  • What signs/symptoms should I look for when deciphering stress-related skin conditions?
  • How can I manage my cortisol levels?

If you struggle with stress-related skin symptoms, seek professional treatment right away. There are various means of treatment and remedies to have you feeling the absolute best in your own skin. The dermatologists at Knoxville Dermatology Group are licensed professionals who are experienced in hundreds of skin conditions. To make an appointment visit us online or call (865) 690-9467.

Psoriasis – What, When, Where, Why and How?

Around 2 percent of the population develops psoriasis at some point in their lives, making it a relatively common skin condition. While psoriasis is not curable, it is easily treatable with the help of your dermatologist. When diagnosed with a skin condition, it can be confusing and hard to find all of the right answers. Let this blog serve as a brief overview of the condition or a starting point for further conversations with your dermatologist.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a condition that causes a buildup of dead skin scales. This creates raised, silvery-red patches across the body, which can be itchy and painful. This form of the condition is called plaque psoriasis, and is also the most common type. However, you should be aware that psoriasis can appear in the form of these other types:

  • Guttate: This is typified by small lesions dotting the skin. Usually, guttate psoriasis appears in childhood after cases of strep infection.
  • Inverse: Inverse psoriasis shows up in the body’s folds. This includes areas of the body such as the armpit, behind the knee or the groin.
  • Pustular: If you suffer from pustular psoriasis, you will see blisters filled with noninfectious puss surrounded by red skin covering areas of the body like the hands or feet.
  • Erythrodermic: This is the most severe and rare type of psoriasis and causes skin to come off in sheets and clothes. Erythrodermic psoriasis is a more intense and painful type of plaque psoriasis.

When does Psoriasis Normally Develop?

More often than not, psoriasis develops around the ages of 15 to 35. There is no definite time that psoriasis appears; however, it can develop at all age. Around 10 percent of those with the condition will be diagnosed under the age of ten. For children with psoriasis, it is very common appears after the child has contracted strep throat. If you have young children, be sure to monitor their symptoms well after illnesses, like strep throat, bronchitis or an earache, to be sure they have not developed psoriasis.

Where on the Body is Psoriasis?

Unfortunately, psoriasis can appear anywhere on the body. Most commonly, it is found on the knees, elbows and scalp. Where you experience psoriasis may be linked to the type of psoriasis you have. For example, those with pustular psoriasis often have bad flare ups on the hands and feet, whereas those with inverse psoriasis normally only experience flare ups in the fold of their skin like the armpit or under the knee.

Why do I have Psoriasis?

There is no known cause for psoriasis; however, it is known that immune systems and genes have a hand in the development. Caucasians are more likely to develop psoriasis than other races, although it can develop no matter your race. Those who carry the psoriasis gene are more likely to develop the condition, so if both parents carry the gene, their child has a 50 percent chance of having psoriasis.

If you do suffer from psoriasis, different parts of your environment may trigger flare ups of the conditions. Triggers may include:

  • Stress
  • Medication
  • Skin Lesions (cuts, burns, bruises)
  • Allergies
  • Diet
  • Weather (extreme heat or dryness)

How Can I Treat Psoriasis?

Again, psoriasis has no cure but is easily managed and treated. Treatments like phototherapy, steroid medications, topical ointments and regular dermatology visits are great ways to care for the condition. There are also small ways to improve your psoriasis by managing triggers. Administering self-care, getting plenty of rest and paying special attention to your environment are great ways to help account for your triggers.

If you struggle with psoriasis, don’t wait to seek treatment. There are many things to do to help manage your symptoms. The dermatologists at Knoxville Dermatology Group are experienced in hundreds of skin conditions and can get you back on the path towards comfort. To make an appointment visit use online or call (865) 690-9467.

Cooking this holiday season? Be sure you know how to treat minor cooking accidents.

Cooking this holiday season? Of course you are! The holidays are about two things, food and family. However, some of the most common kitchen injuries can leave you spending more time in the emergency room than around the table. Here is a list of the most common minor cooking accidents, how to treat them and when you should see a doctor or a dermatologist.

Burns

The holiday seasons are ripe with major and minor burns. The danger zones? Frying the turkey, boiling the macaroni and pulling the sweet potato casserole out of the oven, among many others. Whether the burn came from bumping over or touching a burning pan, it is important to treat the burn promptly and correctly. First, you need to determine the degree of the burn. Depending on how bad the burn is, you may have to seek medical treatment immediately:

  • First Degree Burn: Mild burn; results in pain and redness.
  • Second Degree Burn: More severe burn; damages the lower layer of the skin. A second degree burn may result in redness, swelling, blistering and pain.
  • Third Degree Burn: Most serious burn, affects all layers of skin and possibly deeper. May result in serious pain, blackened or charred skin.

The most common cooking accidents are mostly contained to first degree burns. First degree burns are also the only burn you should treat without the help of a medical professional. Although your initial instinct may be to run the burn under cold water, this traps the heat in your skin and makes the burn heal much slower. What you should do is apply a burn cream or anti-inflammatory, like aloe vera or antibiotic ointment. You can take any acetaminophen such as Tylenol to help with pain management. Be sure to regularly change out bandages and reapply creams to keep the burn sanitized.

For second and third degree burns, be sure to visit your doctor or dermatologist to receive correct burn treatment.

Cuts

As careful as you are during cooking, it’s easy to get a cut or accidentally slice your finger. Accidents happen, but it’s best to be prepared for when they do. Remember, only treat cuts yourself if they are minor flesh wounds. If you are unable to control the bleeding, visit the emergency room immediately.

If, however, you have a minor flesh wound there are three simple steps to keep in mind as you treat the cut.

  1. Clean the cut. You can clean out your cut by flushing it with a bit of rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, followed by antibacterial soap and water.
  2. Apply an antibacterial ointment like Neosporin. This will help the cut heal more quickly.
  3. Bandage cut tightly. This will allow you to keep cooking and to protect the wound from infection.

If you cut yourself too deeply and needed to take a trip to the emergency room for stitches or other wound treatment, you may develop a scar. Scar treatment looks different for everybody and is dependent on the severity of the wound. If you have scarring from a cut, a dermatologist can help you develop a treatment plan to lessen its appearance.

Eye Irritation

Eye irritation can occur during cooking, especially while preparing spicy foods or handling peppers. It is best to keep your hands away from the face during cooking and keeping them clean to avoid mishaps like eye irritation. If a bit of spice or pepper does reach your eye, causing a burning sensation, don’t panic. Most importantly, do not rub your eye. This will most likely cause more of the irritant to reach your eye, which will cause more pain. Secondly, go directly to the sink. Open your eye and begin to flush water into it. Do this until the irritant has been washed from your eye. You may experience redness after an episode like this. Using eye drops for eye irritation is okay, but the redness will recede naturally as well.

Accidents happen, so be prepared! If a more serious accident occurs, always seek medical help for correct treatment. If you have a cut or burn that leaves scarring, there are many ways to treat this. The experienced dermatologists at Knoxville Dermatology Group are ready to help you develop a treatment plan to reduce the appearance of scars and pigment irregularities. If you have a scar from a burn or cut and need help leaving it in the past, make an appointment, visit our website or call us at (865) 690-9467.

Warts? Don’t blame the toad!

You may have been convinced that your wart came from a toad when you were a child! Apparently, you can’t get warts from touching our slimy friends at all. In reality, you probably picked up that wart from a friend or classmate. Warts are highly contagious so it is important to know what they are, how you can get them and how to treat warts.

What’s a Wart?

Viruses may enter the body through small cuts or sores on the skin causing warts to form. This virus can then cause an infection, creating the wart, which will look like a small hard bump on the skin. Warts are much more common in children, because adults typically have better hygiene and immune systems.

Types of Warts

  • Plantar Warts: These warts are found on the bottom of your feet and are more common in people who do a lot of barefoot activities, according to the Mayo Clinic. They can grow inward, under the thick layer of skin on the feet. If you go to a public pool or locker room, walk around in pool shoes to help avoid a wart.
  • Common Warts: Yep, these are pretty common. Common warts are found on the knees, elbows or hands. They often contain what looks like little black seeds, however this is just dried blood in the wart and nothing to be concerned about. Due to their location, especially on the hands, common warts easily spread to other parts of the body, so make sure they are treated quickly.
  • Flat Warts: Again, this wart’s name gives it away. A flat wart is a small flat bump, usually found on the skin and in a group of 20 to 100 others. These often appear in places you may shave, like the legs or face.
  • Molluscum Contagiosum: This is a viral skin infection which causes small, itchy, red bumps with a dimple in the center to appear. Your body will usually fight the infection itself and the bumps will leave on their own. One thing to remember is that, despite popular belief, these are not warts! The American Academy of Dermatology clears up this misconception and shares that while they may look the same and have entered your body the same way, molluscum is treated in a different way.

Why’d I get a Wart?

Again, warts are highly contagious. You can get a wart at home, at school, from friends or family, or at the pool. Basically, you can get a wart anywhere and from anyone. Yikes! Don’t worry, they’re very common and easily treatable. Areas like the hands, bottoms of the feet and the face are more prone to warts, as they encounter more surfaces throughout the day. Be diligent in checking these areas on your child, especially after they’ve spent long months at the pool and are back in school.

How to Get Rid of a Wart

  • Freezing: You can buy a freeze-treatment specifically for warts at your local drugstore. Freezing your wart will cause a blister to form around it. Both the blister and the wart will eventually fall off and then, which will leave you wart free! Be sure to not use this treatment on your face. Store bought freeze treatments are typically only used for the common or plantar wart.
  • Acid: This may sound a little bit intense, but there is nothing to worry about. Using the liquid-form or a patch of salicylic acid softens the wart. After applying the acid to the wart, make sure to soak the area in warm water for around ten minutes. This will make it easy to buff off the wart using a pumice stone or nail file.
  • Dermatologist: If you have flat warts or a stubborn wart that won’t seem to leave for good, it’s time to see your dermatologist. Dermatologists are trained to perform treatments that can’t be bought at the store. These are usually much more effective and easier on the surrounding skin than at-home remedies or drugstore treatments. The dermatologist can also accurately diagnose your wart to give you the right treatment options. Options may include anything from simple freezing treatments, prescription medicines or even a laser treatment.

If you have flat warts, molluscum contagiosum or a wart that just won’t go away, it’s time to visit Knoxville Dermatology Group. Our dermatologists are ready and able to take care of you and your family. To make an appointment, visit our website or call us at (865) 690-9467.

Baby Got Bacne

When we hear acne, memories of high school and puberty come to the forefront of our minds. While many people’s faces clear up past this phase, it isn’t uncommon to experience acne—and even bacne—in our adult lives. Dealing with zits on your face is one thing, but blemishes on your back can be tougher and in hard to reach places. With swimsuit season here, you are probably ready to learn how to manage your bacne once and for all! 

Acne vs. Bacne: 

Many people think that the only difference between acne and bacne is the location it appears on your body. With the back being hard to reach, it is often difficult to clean and exfoliate the problem areas completely. Also, serums used to treat the face often don’t respond as well on the back because the skin there is much thicker and resilient. The skin on the face receives more blood supply that lets acne heal faster and reduce scarring.  

Causes of Bance:  

Although some people are just more prone to bacne than others, there are conditions that will make it worse. Acne happens when our pores become clogged and can’t excrete the oily-sebum that keeps our skin healthy. Men are more prone to bacne thanks to their over-active sebaceous glands and the amount of hair on their backs. Personal products like hair products and body soaps may be blocking your pores and even causing bacne. Scented products use ingredients that will clog your pores, so try using a plain wash made for sensitive skin. Excessive sweating due to exercise can also be a cause. Daily showers, wearing clean clothes and keeping your skin dry are basic hygiene skills and factors to keep in mind.  

Bacne Treatments:  

With tougher skin on the back than the face, products used to treat bacne need a stronger formula, but typically contain the same ingredients. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) work to exfoliate the top layer of the skin to smooth and clear the back of any dead skin cells that will clog pores. Using a loofah or a scrub with beads in it will irritate the acne and spread the bacteria across the back. Beta Hydroxy Acides (BHAs) are the most effective acne treatments and are designed to clean out dirt from your pores. Applying these to clean, dry skin on a regular basis can significantly improve your skin.  

Want to manage your bacne? Call Knoxville Dermatology Group today at (865) 690-9467 to set up a consultation! 

Figuring Out Eczema

The term “eczema” refers to a variety of skin conditions. Usually it involves red, irritated skin that occasionally results in small, fluid-filled bumps that can become moist and ooze. Whatever condition you may be dealing with – atopic, infantile, etc. – your Knoxville Dermatology team is here to help you manage your symptoms.

While there are no ways to prevent the genetic skin condition, eczema can be managed and improved. Avoiding triggers such as pollen, mold and dryness helps diminish flare-ups. Other triggers can include some foods, emotional stress, excessive heat, and certain fabrics and skincare products. Also, make an effort to curb your tendency to scratch at a rash, as scratching and rubbing can further irritate the skin and cause deeper infection.

Our certified dermatologists can find the best treatment options for you. They may recommend antihistamines to help with the itching, ultraviolet light treatment to clear rashes up, or an oral antibiotic to prevent and treat secondary infections. Topical corticosteroids, also called cortisone or steroid creams, are commonly used for treating eczema as well. We’re ready to help you manage your eczema and keep it under control, so call and schedule an appointment with one of our certified dermatologists to determine the best treatment plan for you.

If you have any questions about eczema or about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.