At Marietta Dermatology, we strive to provide patients with the highest level of skin care possible. Our Dermatologists and Physician Assistants have extensive training and expertise in diagnosing and treating all types of skin diseases and skin cancer. Please click on a topic below to learn more about some common skin conditions. You can also find more information by visiting the American Academy of Dermatology website.
Acne is a skin condition which has plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), inflamed pimples (pustules), and deeper lumps (nodules). Acne occurs on the face, as well as the neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms. Although most teenagers get some...
Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by a reaction to substances called allergens that come into contact with your skin. In susceptible people, these contact allergens can cause itching, redness, and blisters that is known as allergic contact dermatitis. What...
Alopecia areata (AA) causes hair loss in small, round patches that may go away on their own, or may last for many years. Nearly 2% of the U.S. population (about four million people) will develop AA in their lifetime. Some people with AA (about 5%) may lose all scalp...
Dry Skin and Keratosis Pilaris Dry skin and keratosis pilaris are common. Dry skin can occur at any age and for many reasons. Keratosis pilaris is an inherited skin condition that develops in up to 40% of the population. Sometimes a dermatologist's help is necessary...
A common skin condition, atopic dermatitis is frequently described as "the Itch that rashes”. Intensely itchy patches form. These patches can be widespread or limited to a few areas. Scratching often leads to redness, swelling, cracking, "weeping" of...
Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating. Sweating is necessary to keep the body cool; however, it should not interfere with a person's ability to interact and function. Hyperhidrosis affects quality of life. It may cause embarrassment and frustration. It can impact one's...
Genital warts, also known as venereal warts, or condylomata acuminata, are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). More than 100 types of HPV are known to exist. Low risk types (HPV 1, 2, and 3) cause warts on the hands, feet, and other parts of the body. Types (6...
Granuloma annulare is a raised, bumpy, or ring-shaped lesion, which can occur singly or in groups on the skin. It is more common in children and young adults, although it may affect people of all ages. Women are twice as likely as are men to develop granuloma...
What causes a hand rash? A hand rash, also called hand dermatitis or hand eczema, may be caused by many things. Hand rashes are extremely common. Many people start with dry, chapped hands that later become patchy, red, scaly, and inflamed. Numerous items can...
Hives, or "wheals", are pale red swellings of skin that occur in groups on any part of the skin. Urticaria is the medical word for hives. Each hive lasts a few hours before fading without a trace. New areas may develop as old areas fade. They...
The herpes simplex virus (HSV) can cause blisters and sores almost anywhere on the skin. These sores usually occur either around the mouth and nose, or on the genitals and buttocks. HSV infections can be very annoying because they can periodically reappear. The...
Lichen Planus (pronounced LY -kin-PLAN-us) is a rather common disease that affects the skin, the mouth, or both. It affects about one percent of the general population. What is lichen planus? How do you get the disease? Can it be cured? This information will help...
Everyone has moles, sometimes 40 or more. Most people think of a mole as a dark brown spot, but moles have a wide range of appearances. At one time, a mole in a certain spot on the cheek of a woman was considered fashionable. These were called "beauty...
What is perioral dermatitis? Perioral dermatitis is a common skin problem that mostly affects young women. Occasionally men or children are affected. Perioral refers to the area around the mouth, and dermatitis indicates redness of the skin. In addition to redness,...
Pityriasis rosea is a rash that occurs most commonly in people between the ages of 10 and 35, but may occur' at any age. The rash can last from several weeks to several months. Usually there are no permanent marks as a result of this condition, although some...
Poison Plants: Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Those nasty weeds! Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are the most common cause of allergic reactions in the United States. Each year 10 to 50 million Americans develop an allergic rash after contact with these...
Psoriasis is a persistent, inflammatory skin condition. Some cases of psoriasis are so mild that people don't know they have it. Alternatively, severe psoriasis may cover large areas of the body. Dermatologists can help even the most severe...
Rosacea is a common skin disease that causes redness, pustules, papules, and swelling on the face. Often referred to as "adult acne," rosacea frequently begins as a tendency to flush or blush easily. It may progress to persistent redness in the center of...
Spider Vein Varicose Vein Therapy Spider veins are small superficial blood vessels that appear red or blue in the skin. They commonly occur on the legs, but are also found on the face or other areas of the body. These dilated blood vessels may be short, unconnected...
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin disorder that can be easily treated. Causing a red, scaly, itchy rash, this condition most commonly develops on the scalp, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids, and middle of the chest. Other areas, such as the navel...
Seborrheic keratoses (SKs) are common skin growths. These benign (non-cancerous) growths can occur almost anywhere on the skin. Some people get just one; others develop many. Having many SKs is more common. Usually beginning as small, rough bumps,...
Anyone who has had chicken pox can develop herpes zoster. Also known as shingles or zoster, herpes zoster is caused by the same virus as chicken pox. After the chicken pox clear, the virus remains dormant (inactive) within certain nerve cells of the...
Of all the cancers that humans can get, skin cancer is the most common. In the United States, skin cancer is increasing in all races. Who gets skin cancer? People of all colors and races get skin cancer. Those with light skin who sunburn easily have a higher...
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are common skin lesions. Caused by years of sun exposure, AKs also are called "solar keratoses" or "sun spots," Fair-skinned people are more susceptible, and AKs tend to appear on skin that receives the most sun. The forehead, ears,...
Tinea versicolor is a common skin condition caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin's surface. The yeast normally live in the pores of the skin and thrive in oily areas such as the neck, upper chest, and back. An overgrowth results in a fungal...
Vitiligo is a skin condition of white patches resulting from loss of pigment. Any part of the body may be affected. Usually both sides of the body are similarly affected by a few too many milky-white patches. Common areas of involvement are: face lips hands arms legs...
What are warts? Warts are non-cancerous skin growths caused by a viral infection in the top layers of skin. The virus that causes warts is called the human papilloma virus, or HPV: Warts are usually skin colored and feel rough to the touch, but they can be dark,...