Skin tags refer to tiny skin specks that are usually benign. Skin tags commonly develop on the armpits, neck, and around the eye area. Sometimes skin tags also appear in the genital region.

Most people with skin tags consider removing them especially if they are visible due to being in areas such as the neck or eyes.

Skin tags form in different sizes and colors. While some individuals have just one or two skin tags, others may have multiple skin tags. These specks develop due to genetic reasons or conditions such as diabetes. People who are obese have a tendency to have more skin tags because they have more skin folds.

While skin tags can be excised at home, the procedure should ideally be carried out by an experienced dermatologist. The dermatologist will address any concerns that the patient may have regarding these tags during the initial consultation to enable them to make a well-informed and salient choice.

Devoted board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness provides skin care treatments to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding communities and towns in this area of the Midwest.

Skin Tag Removal Procedure

Patients can avail of various available techniques for the removal of unwanted skin tags. The dermatologist will inform the patient of the suitable technique and details on the procedure.

Freezing the Skin Tags Off

In the freezing techniques, the dermatologist uses liquid nitrogen to freeze a skin tag in a process called cryotherapy. The dermatologist will apply liquid nitrogen to tweezers and place on the tag with some pressure. The process may cause slight pain similar to a stinging sensation. The skin tag will not fall off instantly. But will change color and eventually fall off within one or two weeks.

Cutting out the Skin Tag

More significant skin tags may need to be cut off. The dermatologist will numb the area with a local anesthetic and then cut the tag off using a scalpel. This procedure leads to minimal bleeding.

Certain people try to use scissors or nail clippers to remove skin tags by themselves. Such self-help techniques are not advisable as they can lead to infection, pain, and even scarring.

Sometimes the dermatologist may send the skin tag for a biopsy to determine the type of tumor.

Burning the Skin Tags

At times, the dermatologist may employ the burning technique to remove a skin tag. This procedure involves using an electric current to burn the skin tag which will cause a temporary scab. However, the scab will resolve by itself.

Tying off Skin Tags

In this procedure, also called ligation, the dermatologist will stop the blood supply to the skin tag. It usually takes around seven to ten days for the tag to be eliminated. This treatment is quite successful in a majority of cases.

At times, people try this procedure at home by using dental floss or a string. But the knot may come undone. This treatment has an inherent risk of infection. It is advisable for patients not to try ligation at home.

Accomplished board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness receives patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and other towns and suburbs in this region of the country for skin care treatments.

If you would like to learn more about procedures and treatments at Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jamie L. McGinness please contact us here or call (618) 622-SKIN (7546)

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

The word “rash” is used to describe a wide range of skin problems which are characterized by an alteration in the color, texture, or appearance of the skin.

Rashes may occur due to environmental reasons such as being exposed to the sun, chemicals or specific plants. Some internal factors may also cause rashes such as medicines or exposure to allergens.

The dermatologist will evaluate the rash during the initial consultation and prescribe a suitable treatment to the patient. Focused board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness provides appropriate diagnosis and treatment for rashes to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding locations in this part of the country.

Treatments

In general, rashes are mild and respond to topical medications. But at times, rashes may signal more serious skin issues such as:

• Allergic response to medications
• Bacterial infection
• Atopic dermatitis
• Chronic skin issues such as psoriasis or acne
• Viral infection
• Contact dermatitis
• Fungal infection

Creams and Ointments

If a rash cannot be treated with other topical medicines, the dermatologist may prescribe corticosteroid creams and ointments. These are powerful treatments. The patient should use these medications only under the guidance of a dermatologist to achieve safe and predictable results.

Immune modulator topical ointments which do not comprise steroids are also available today. These medications are particularly suitable for use on a child’s face as they lead to less atrophy.

Topical treatments that are based on crisaborole are suitable for children as well as adults experiencing mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. This treatment prevents swelling in the skin.

Antibiotics and Antihistamines

Antibiotics can reduce specific disease symptoms. In the case of serious infections and severe rashes, these antibiotics may be applied topically on the skin as an ointment. However, they are usually more efficient when the patient takes them orally as pills.

Specific antihistamines may cause the patient to become drowsy which is helpful if the drugs are taken at bedtime. The patient can experience more restful sleep, and it prevents the accidental scratching of the impacted sites during nighttime. The dermatologist may prescribe the patient specific meds for fungal and viral infections.

Phototherapy

This treatment makes use of UVA or UVB light waves or combines both of these. The dermatologist may recommend phototherapy for children over the age of 12 years experiencing mild to moderate dermatitis. The dermatologist may also recommend photo-chemotherapy (the combination of UV light therapy and a medication known as psoralen) in some cases.

Other Treatments

In case other treatments are not effective, the dermatologist will put the patient on a course of systemic corticosteroids. These medicines can be taken orally or injected into the medicine rather than applied directly to the skin. The dermatologist will recommend this treatment only when other treatments prove ineffective for the patient. This will be a short duration treatment.

Immunosuppressive medications such as cyclosporine can be used to treat serious cases of atopic dermatitis in adults. Successful board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness receives patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and other neighborhoods and cities in this region of the nation for rash diagnosis and treatment.

If you would like to learn more about procedures and treatments at Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jamie L. McGinness please contact us here or call (618) 622-SKIN (7546)

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

The term “rash” refers to a change in the texture and color of skin that typically results in the appearance of red patches or bumps on the skin’s surface. Rash is often used as an umbrella term to describe different types of common skin conditions that causes minor itching or redness in the affected area.

Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness provides appropriate diagnosis and treatment for rashes to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding communities.  

Determining Causes and Symptoms

The cause of a rash can be directly or indirectly related to bacteria, viruses, or fungi. On the other hand, a rash may be entirely unrelated to an infectious organism and may occur due to existing medical condition. Among the various causes of rash are medicines, chronic medical conditions, and allergic responses (hives).

Dermatologists describe rashes using specific terms. A macular rash appears as small, flat red patches on the skin. On the hand, papular rash looks like tiny raised red bumps. In case the patient has signs and symptoms of both types of rashes, the rash is known as maculopapular.

Along with the rash, there may be blister development or ulceration of the skin. A rash that occurs with blisters is called a vesicular rash. The rash may or may not be accompanied by pruritus (itching).

Many individuals with a rash display similar symptoms. Some patients explain that their rashes oozed and subsequently scabbed over as well as bled easily. Other patients state that their rashes appeared with seasonal change, when they consumed specific foods, or when they started a new course of medication.

Identifying a Specific Type of Rash

Some common forms of rashes are poison ivy, athlete’s foot, eczema, and hives. Fungal, bacterial, or viral infections may cause rashes. The patient should visit a dermatologist if the rash persists for more than a few days and are inexplicable.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

The most common rash impacting adults is seborrheic dermatitis. It develops as red scaling with itchy eruptions that typically form on the forehead, scalp, cheeks, brows and external ears. Seborrheic dermatitis may occur on the scalp (cradle cap) and diaper area in babies.

Contact Dermatitis

This type of rash occurs due to contact with a particular chemical that the patient is allergic to or with a substance that causes irritation directly to the skin. Certain chemicals are allergens as well as irritants. This form of rash is usually oozy and weepy. It impacts skin areas that have come in direct contact with the allergy-causing substance.

Diaper Rash

A diaper rash is a commonly occurring irritant contact dermatitis. It primarily impacts infants as well as some adults who use diapers. It happens when feces and urine remain in contact with the skin for a long duration.

Stasis Dermatitis

This rash is a weepy and oozy dermatitis which develops on the lower part of the legs of people who suffer from chronic inflammation due to poor blood flow in the veins.

Hives

Hives are red and itchy bumps that occur suddenly and then subside in around eight hours. This rash has a tendency to recur quickly.

Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness receives patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and nearby areas for rash diagnosis and treatment.

If you would like to learn more about procedures and treatments at Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jamie L. McGinness please contact us here or call (618) 622-SKIN (7546)

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.