For over ten years, Madison Skin & Laser Center in Seattle has provided medical dermatology services for all skin conditions.
Autoimmune
Alopecia is a general term for hair loss. The evaluation of Alopecia may be very involved as there are many forms of the condition and many causes. The causes can range from a stressful event to a more complicated autoimmune process. You should definitely seek care from your dermatologist to help determine the cause of your Alopecia and begin treatment. We understand how devastating it can feel to lose your hair and will do everything we can to help improve your condition.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that presents with plaques usually occurring on the elbows, knees, scalp and buttocks. These plaques have a red base with a silvery topped scale. Psoriasis can present as a mild form with just a few plaques or a very severe form covering large areas of the body. Treatment depends on the severity of disease. People with Psoriasis are also monitored for joint pain as this may be a sign of progressing disease and arthritis.
There are other skin changes that can occur due to autoimmune processes such as Lupus or Sjogren’s disease. We perform thorough evaluations as necessary to determine the cause of your skin problem.
Skin Diseases
More than 3,000 distinct human skin diseases are known to dermatologists, from actinic keratosis to cellulitis, psoriasis to eczema and many, many more. These skin disorders vary greatly in symptoms and in severity. They can be temporary or permanent, painful or painless. Some skin diseases have situational causes, while others may be genetic. While most skin disorders are of minor health concern, others can indicate more serious issues.
If you suffer from a skin condition causing you physical or emotional pain or discomfort or that you feel is limiting your social, professional or relational ability, our dermatology specialists can help you mitigate their symptoms and any associated pain and help you to get to the root cause of them for good.
For more than fifteen years, Madison Skin & Laser Center has provided people in the greater Seattle area with high-quality and trusted dermatological medical services for skin conditions of every kind. We provided the very best in care for patients and treat dermatological conditions of every kind.
Allergies & Eczema
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) often occurs in individuals with allergies and asthma. There is a tendency toward excess inflammation in the skin. This presents as itchy, scaly and thickened skin and is very irritating. Atopic dermatitis can affect all age groups. Your treatment plan may be simple or it may combine therapies and protective methods to help heal your skin.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis can cause inflamed, irritated, sensitive skin and can be caused by many things. This can range from a plant or fruit to a metal such as nickel. Small red bumps, pustules or blisters may appear on the skin. A very thorough history is needed to determine the cause of the skin eruption. Treatment can involve topical and oral medication. We also offer patch testing for the most common skin allergens and work closely with allergiests.
Urticaria (hives) are caused by a chemical called Histamine that is released in the skin. This creates pale red swellings that occur in groups on any part of the body. Hives can wax and wane over a period of days to weeks and disappear without a trace. They tend to be quite itchy, although they may also burn or sting. Treatment is directed at removing the cause, but determining the cause is not always an easy task. Antihistamines are often part of an individual’s treatment plan to provide relieve.
Fungal & Yeast Conditions
Fungal infections of the skin and nails are very common. The fungus that causes these infections can easily make its way on to our pets, and on to our skin. Fungus can infect the skin, hair, fingernails or toenails. Your provider may order lab work, such as a skin scraping or a clipping of an affected nail. If the infection involves your nails, make sure to remove all nail polish prior to your visit.
Seborrheic Dermatitis and Tinea Versicolor are examples of scaly skin conditions caused by the superficial yeast, Pityrosporum ovale. You may have greasy white or yellow flakes of skin around your nose, eyebrows, ears and scalp. Or you may have discolored patches on the chest and back. These conditions are typically treated with medicated shampoo and creams.