Medical Dermatology
Dr. Nguyen treats patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. She provides experienced medical dermatology care including the diagnosis, management, treatment and prevention of diseases related to the skin, hair and nails. Below is a select list of some of the common skin issues.
For more information about particular skin conditions, the American Academy of Dermatology has a helpful public knowledge section or schedule a visit to meet with Dr. Nguyen in person.
Full-body skin exams
A full-body skin exam is an important way for your dermatologist to find skin cancers and other benign lesions on the body, especially ones that a person cannot see easily himself or herself. Early detection of skin problems can potentially be life-saving, and oftentimes allows for better treatment options. A full-body skin exam is painless, during which your entire skin surface is thoroughly examined from head to toe.
Skin cancers
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and affects all ages and all skin types. The three main types of skin cancers include basal cell carcinoma (most common), squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma (most serious). Skin cancers appear as abnormal skin growths and are commonly found on the face, head and neck though may occur anywhere, including areas not exposed to the sun. Risks for developing skin cancer include excessive sun exposure, fair skin, moles and certain factors in one's family history.
It is important to have regular full-body skin checks to screen for skin cancers and to see a board-certified dermatologist if you note any irregular growths, bumps or moles in the skin. Skin biopsies are done to help assist in the diagnosis and specify the type of skin cancer. Skin cancer treatment options vary depending of type of skin cancer, size, location, depth and the patient’s medical history. These treatments include surgical excision, Mohs surgery, electrodessication-and-curettage (EDC), topical treatments, and less commonly skin radiation.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
Actinic keratoses “pre-cancers”
Actinic keratoses are considered “pre-cancerous” or “pre-malignant” abnormal growths of the skin and have the potential to evolve into full cancers, specifically of the squamous cell skin cancer type. Patients with higher risk of developing these precancerous lesions include the elderly, those with lighter skin, and those who have accumulated extensive sun exposure. Actinic keratoses are often found on body areas with highest sun exposure including ears, forehead, nose, scalp, and the top sides of hands, forearms, and legs. Finding these lesions may be difficult, but a dermatologist is specially trained to spot and treat these lesions early before they evolve into cancer. Treatment of actinic keratoses include freeze-destruction with liquid nitrogen, topical treatments, chemical peels, and photodynamic therapy.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
Acne treatment
Though people commonly believe acne affects mostly teenagers, serious acne can actually continue well into adulthood for both men and women. Left untreated, acne can cause significant scarring and emotional distress. Acne can appear as blocked pores (whitehead and blackheads), pimples, and deep bumps (cysts, nodules). Areas of involvement include the face, chest, back, and shoulders. Options for acne treatment include topical medications, oral medications/antibiotics, medicated washes, light-based treatment, and isotretinoin (Accutane). There is no single best treatment as every person responds differently. A dermatologist will develop a tailored treatment regimen to best control your acne.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
Warts
Warts are abnormal skin growths caused by viruses that infect the skin. They can occur almost anywhere including the genital region but are most commonly found on fingers, hands, toes, feet, and trauma-prone body parts such as knees and elbows. Some warts may disappear on their own but many require treatments including topical creams (salicylic acid, imiquimod, fluorouracil), freezing with liquid nitrogen, immunotherapy (candida antigen), liquids (diphenylcyclopropenone, squaric acid dibutylester), electrosurgery, scissor removal, and deeper surgical excision. Wart treatment may require several visits to ensure complete removal and resolution.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
Molluscum
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin growth caused by a virus common in children but it also can occur in adults. It can affect the trunk, arms, legs, face, and genital region. Molluscum contagiosum can go away on its own but it may take several months to years. Medical treatment is usually recommended to help the lesions resolve faster, especially when the lesions are numerous or bothersome. Treatment options include scraping, manual removal, topical creams, and in-office medication application.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is typically characterized by red, raised scaly patches on the skin. It can affect males and females of all ages including children and teenagers. Psoriasis can involve the scalp, body, hands, feet, nails and joints. Psoriasis is a chronic condition and no cure yet exists, however there are a number of psoriasis-alleviating treatments ranging from topical therapy, injection medications (biologics), oral immune-modulators, light treatments, or a combination of any of these.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis
Eczema describes a group of skin conditions characterized by a red, itchy rash that often can become irritated, dry, and infected. Atopic dermatitis is a form of eczema that occurs in youth but sometimes may persist into teenage years and adulthood. Treatment is aimed at both controlling acute skin flares and prevention of future flares. The mainstay of active flare treatment includes topical therapies (steroid creams, anti-inflammatory medicated creams) and antihistamines. A proactive lifestyle approach is key to eczema flare prevention, which includes avoidance of disease triggers, daily use of emollients and moisturizers, and anti-inflammatory therapies that suppress flares before they manifest on the skin. In general, avoid products with fragrances such as perfumes, fragrant detergents, fragrant moisturizers, body sprays, and aerosolizers). Keep the skin moist with a daily fragrance-free moisturizer especially after showers and take lukewarm showers rather than hot ones.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
Rosacea
Rosacea is a persistent redness of the face that affects many patients who actually may be unaware they have it. It can manifest with acne-like lesions and pus bumps, with the skin feeling sensitive, irritated, and painful. Rosacea can worsen with emotional stress, hot drinks, alcohol, spicy foods, exercise, cold or hot weather, and taking hot baths/showers. Several treatments are available to help control and relieve rosacea symptoms. A dermatologist will be able to help find the right regimen for you and identify triggers that you should avoid.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
Autoimmune skin diseases
An autoimmune disease is when your own immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in your body. There are a number of autoimmune diseases that affect the skin and hair including alopecia areata, vitiligo, blistering skin diseases (bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus), dermatomyositis, lupus, scleroderma, and vasculitis. The range of available treatments depends on the specific type of autoimmune skin condition. Your dermatologist can help coordinate and work with other specialty physicians such as rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, nephrologists, cardiologists, ophthalmologists, pulmonologists, hematologists, and oncologists.
Skin infections
It might be difficult to distinguish an infection from other skin conditions, especially because skin infections can coexist on top of other skin diseases. Skin infections are caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Pseudomonas, to name a few. Skin infections can also be caused by fungus which manifest as skin conditions like tinea versicolor, tinea corporis, jock itch (tinea cruris), foot fungus (tinea pedis), scalp hair fungus (tinea capitis), and deep hair follicle fungus infection (Majocchi granuloma). Even viruses cause skin infections and can appear as warts, molluscum, rashes, herpes, and shingles. With the wide array of different skin infections possible, a board-certified dermatologist can be indispensable to correctly identify and treat the infection as well as differentiate infections for other underlying skin conditions.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
Moles
Moles may appear as brown, black or skin-colored spots and can occur anywhere on the body. Sun exposure increases the number of moles locally where the skin hits the skin. Many moles can be normal and benign. However, dangerous melanoma skin cancers can occur within previously-existing moles. It is essential that you inform your dermatologist of any changes to your moles, such as enlargement in size, irregularity of the mole edges, asymmetry, changes in color pattern, scaling, oozing, crusting, bleeding, and ulceration.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
Birthmarks
A birthmark can be various colors, shapes and sizes on the skin and usually occurs soon after birth. Most birthmarks are benign although a few types may signal an increased risk of internal diseases requiring treatment. There are many types of birthmarks which include congenital moles, cafe-au-lait macules (CALM), Mongolian spots, hemangiomas, port wine stains, and nevus spilus.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
Sun damage
Sun damage (photodamage) is a skin change caused by excessive exposure to the sun or ultraviolet (UV) light and often occurs on the scalp, face, and ears as well the tops of hands, arms, and legs. Photodamaged skin may appear darker with irregular coloration and have texture changes appearing yellow, thickened, and bumpy. Excessive sun exposure also leads to fragile, thin skin which can bruise easily and cause prominent red surface vessels.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
Hair loss
There several types of hair loss (alopecia) caused by various factors including genetics, aging, medications, stress, autoimmune diseases, and certain internal health problems. Alopecia can be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause. Specific types of alopecia include: male or female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, lichen planopilaris, traction alopecia, discoid lupus, and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA). Although hair loss occurs mostly on the scalp, alopecia may also affect hair on other body areas. It may be seen as increased hair shedding, receding hairlines, hair loss confined to the top of the scalp or patches of bald areas. Sometimes, the diagnosis and treatment of alopecia may necessitate a skin biopsy and laboratory evaluation.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
Nail fungus and nail diseases
Nail fungus is a common disorder accounting for 60% of all nail diseases. Risk factors for nail fungus include older age, swimming, fungus already on the skin, diabetes, psoriasis, lowered immune system, genetic predisposition, and frequent or occupational exposure to moisture. Treatment options depend on nail fungus severity and include topical creams, solutions, and oral medications. Preventive measures are important because nail fungus can return even after successful treatment. Certain topical creams and powders used after treatment can help reduce recurrence in addition to avoiding cuticle-cutting, keeping limbs cool and dry, changing socks frequently, wearing shoes in public areas (public showers, gyms), and not sharing nail-care or manicure equipment.
Nails may also be affected by conditions other than nail fungus including trauma, internal medical diseases, inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, autoimmune disease, and genetic problems.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
"Skin Allergy", Skin Reactions, Contact Dermatitis
Almost everyone at some point in life develops a rash caused by something that touched the skin-- this is medically referred to as Contact Dermatitis. The material causing a reaction differs from person to person and can literally be anything including plant/animal biological derivatives, metals (such as the nickel in jewelry alloy), ingested medications causing drug rash, synthetic chemicals/materials, foods, clothing/textiles, soaps/detergents, abrasive processes (such lip licking, excessive hand washing), and even one's own body fluids (like diaper rash). It may be challenging to pinpoint the exact irritant without guidance from a licensed medical professional.
>> [Read more on AAD.org]
Skin Discoloration
There are many reasons for skin discoloration such as melasma, skin darkening (hyperpigmentation) or skin lightening (hypopigmentation) from inflammation in the skin or a previous rash, dark patches from sun exposure, medications, infections, hormones, associations with systemic diseases, and many others. Treatment options for skin discloration vary depending on the underlying cause. A dermatologist will be able to discuss treatment options for skin discoloration with you and evaluate reasons that may contribute to pigmentary alteration.
Pediatric Dermatology
Dr. Nguyen enjoys diagnosing and managing pediatric skin conditions and strongly feels educating both child and parent is an important part of ensuring proper treatment. Infants, children and adolescents each have uniquely different skin conditions and growing needs. Birthmarks, moles, skin infections, warts, molluscum, eczema, and acne are among some of the common conditions that account for pediatric dermatology.
Other Conditions
As a board-certified dermatology physician, Dr. Nguyen brings a complete breadth of up-to-date dermatology knowledge to your care.
In addition to above, some other conditions that Dr. Nguyen has diagnosed and treated include:
Urticaria / Hives
Melasma
Vitiligo
Morphea
Pemphigus
Bullous pemphigoid
Herpes
Sporotrichosis
Mycobacterial infection
Lichen Planopilaris
Leiomyoma
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Pyogenic Granuloma
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Granuloma annulare
Lichen Planus
D.R.E.S.S. Syndrome
Erythema Multiforme
Erythema Nodosum
Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris
CCCA-type Hair Loss
Urticaria Pigmentosa
Shingles
Cutaneous Cancer Metastasis
Mycosis Fungoides
Sarcoidosis
Lymphomatoid Papulosis
PLEVA
Palmoplantar Keratoderma
PMLE
Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans
Pyoderma Gangrenosum
Extramammary Paget's Disease
Livedoid Vasculopathy
LABD