Medical Dermatology in Santa Barbara CA

Our highly skilled and thoughtful physicians are ready to assist patients with skin cancer of any type. We can facilitate diagnosis, offer in-office care where appropriate, and will coordinate therapy with other specialists to suit the individual needs of each patient. Our emphasis is on treating the whole patient. We will focus on education. We will answer all questions that our patients or concerned family members may have. We provide close follow-up and guidance with respect to prevention of future lesions where appropriate.

This is the most common type of skin cancer. It may present as a non-healing pearly or red lesion, most commonly on the head or neck. Most BCCs are very treatable. Seeing a dermatologist early is important. BCC can grow deep, making treatment more difficult if diagnosis is delayed. Contact our office if you have a suspicious lesion you are concerned about. You should also be seen regularly by a Dermatologist if you have had a BCC as 50% of patients who have had one may get additional cancers.

This skin cancer tends to form on skin that has been exposed to the sun for years. It may present as an ulcerated or non-healing raised lesion. When found early and treated, SCC is curable. If diagnosis is delayed, SCC has the ability to spread, making treatment more difficult. Contact our office if you have any lesions you are concerned about.

This skin cancer is increasing in incidence faster than any other cancer. Unlike SCC and BCC, melanoma can spread quickly and be very dangerous. When treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes, the cure rate is nearly 100%. Be sure you know the early signs of this very serious skin cancer. If you notice a mole that looks different from the others, notice a change in a pigmented lesion, or have a lesion that bleeds or itches, please contact our office for an evaluation by one of our physicians. Our physicians can help educate you on what to look for. If you have melanoma, our Dermatologists will assist in the coordination of your care with other doctors, if indicated. These may include a surgical oncologist as well as a medical oncologist. Please have your moles screened regularly as this may assist in early detection of melanoma.

Moles, or nevi, are pigmented lesions on the skin. They occur on sun exposed skin, but may also be found on areas such as the scalp or soles of the feet. Some moles may transform into melanoma, so it is important to monitor your moles and have them checked regularly by a Dermatologist. This risk of transforming into cancer is higher if you have an extensive sun exposure history or use a tanning bed. If you would like a comprehensive total body skin exam, or if you are concerned about a changing pigmented lesion, please contact our office and one of our Dermatologists will assist you.

Rash is a broad term for a wide variety of skin conditions. A rash refers to a change that affects the skin. Rashes can appear in many different ways ranging from red patches, to bumps and blisters. Rashes can be infectious or non-infectious and acute or chronic. The majority of rashes are harmless but it is important to understand what may be causing the rash. In evaluating a rash it is also important for your doctor to understand what other medical conditions you have that may or may not be influencing or causing the rash.

Acne results from a complex interaction between hormones, bacteria, inflammation cells, and the pores becoming clogged. Mostly affecting teens and young adults, acne can also occur in younger children and even has a variant in the neonatal period. There are numerous treatments for acne, from gentle washes, diet changes, and mild topical preparations, all the way up to more powerful light treatments and oral medications. We help guide the choice of the best treatment on a patient-by-patient basis taking into account many factors so that everyone is comfortable with the plan. We follow up closely to ensure that the treatments are working, and doing so safely.

Rosacea is a very common, chronic rash involving the central face that most often starts between the age of 30 and 60 years. Rosacea results in red bumps and sometimes whiteheads. Rosacea may also result in persistent background redness and prominent blood vessels of the face (erythematotelangiectatic rosacea). The ability to "flush and blush" and having sensitive skin are often hallmarks of rosacea. Rosacea may be aggravated by many environmental factors including sun exposure, alcohol, and hot and spicy food.

Psoriasis is a common, chronic skin disorder. Red scaling lesions form on areas such as the scalp, elbows or knees, however, any body site may be involved. Nail changes and joint involvement (psoriatic arthritis) also occur. If you suffer from psoriasis, our Dermatologists will develop a treatment program with you, tailoring the therapy to your specific needs. We offer topical creams and medications, assistance with phototherapy and systemic agents (oral therapies and biologic drugs). Our physicians will closely monitor your progress to ensure that you are safely improving.

The dry, scaly patches of atopic dermatitis which can bubble up to ooze and weep fluid are common in infants and children, but also in adults. The condition is generally very itchy, and may be severe enough to disrupt sleep, family life, and school. Because atopic dermatitis is not yet fully understood, it is important to learn how to take care of the skin safely and effectively so that it can heal. Our focus is on gentle, supportive treatments and we will closely monitor your progress to ensure improvement.

This common skin condition is characterized by flaky patches on the scalp and face (around the nose and eyebrows). Often there is redness underlying the flaking that sometimes is inflamed. Thought to be a reaction to a natural skin yeast called Malassezia, we have gentle and effective treatments to clear things up and keep them clear.