Posts for: January, 2021
Cold sores are small, painful blisters that develop on the lips and around the mouth. These sores are caused by a viral infection known as herpes simplex. More specifically, Herpes Simplex Type 1 is typically the cause of cold sores. This condition is very common, affecting around 67% of the global population. Here’s what you should know about cold sores, including how to treat them when they surface.Cold sores are highly contagious, so it is possible to get a cold sore from,
- Kissing an infected person
- Sharing utensils and drinking from the same glass as an infected person
- Oral sex
Before a blister even develops, you may notice burning, tingling, pain, or itching around the affected area of the lip. If this is your first time dealing with a cold sore, it is common for the first outbreak to be the worst. In this case, you may develop a fever, body aches, or other flu-like symptoms.
When it comes to treating a cold sore, you can find simple over-the-counter creams that help to ease symptoms. If you deal with severe cold sore outbreaks you may wish to talk with your dermatologist about a prescription antiviral medication, that can help to reduce the length of your outbreak and reduce symptom severity.
Cold sores and canker sores can often be mistaken for each other, but they are not the same. First, cold sores usually develop on the lips while canker sore cause painful sores to develop in the mouth. Secondly, cold sores are due to a virus while we still don’t know exactly what causes canker sores.
As one of the most popular cosmetic procedures worldwide, Botox is highly effective in minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and lines in the neck and face. It uses the botulinum toxin, which is a neurotoxin that’s capable of relaxing the muscles responsible for forming wrinkles, in turn, smoothening the skin.
Here at Patricia C. McCormack MD in our Linden, NY, Point Pleasant Beach, NY, and Staten Island, NY, offices, our dermatologist Dr. Patricia McCormack uses Botox injections to temporarily smoothen the look of frown lines, crow’s feet, skin bands found on the neck, and forehead furrows. We also use Botox injections for temporarily resolving excessive sweating.
Am I a Good Candidate for Botox?
Only a thorough consultation with your dermatologist can truly determine whether Botox is right for you. In general, however, your dermatologist will consider the following factors when deciding if Botox is suitable for you:
- You have wrinkles and lines on your face that are noticeable.
- Your wrinkles are in areas where Botox is effective.
- Your overall health is in good condition.
- Your expectations of the results are realistic.
- You want to address excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis.
The Botox Experience
The procedure will be performed by your dermatologist in our Staten Island, NY, Linden, NY, or Point Pleasant Beach, NY, office. The entire treatment could be completed in less than an hour depending on how many injections you’re getting done. Your dermatologist will use a very tiny needle for injecting Botox into problematic muscles. The number of Botox injections you’ll receive will be based on the severity of the lines and wrinkles you want to address.
Once finished, you can go about your daily activities. You just need to avoid disturbing the injection sites to ensure that the toxin stays in that area and prevent it from migrating to other parts of the face. Expect some minor bruising in the injected areas as well.
In most cases, results will be noticeable in just a couple of days. Expect to see the full results in a week, and the effects to last four to six months. Routine touchups are required to maintain the results.
Reach Out to Us To Learn How You Can Benefit From Botox Injections
Schedule an evaluation here at Patricia C. McCormack MD with your dermatologist Dr. Patricia McCormack in our Staten Island, NY, Linden, NY, or Point Pleasant Beach, NY. Call our Staten Island office at (718) 698-1616, Linden office at (908) 925-8877, or our Point Pleasant Beach office at (732) 295-1331.
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection that most commonly affects children under 10 years old, that causes hard, raised red bumps known as papules to develop on the skin. These papules usually develop in clusters on the armpits, groins, or back of the knees, but can develop just about anywhere on the body. If you suspect that your child might have molluscum contagiosum here’s what you should know,How is molluscum contagiosum contracted?
You may be wondering how your child contracted this poxvirus. There are several ways to transmit this viral infection: skin-to-skin contact, sharing items such as towels or clothes, sexual transmission (in adults), and scratching your own lesions (this can lead to further spreading of the papules).
It can take anywhere from two weeks to six months to develop symptoms after exposure. Once a child or person has molluscum contagiosum they typically aren’t infected again in the future.
How is this condition diagnosed?
If you notice any bumps on your child that persist for days, you must consult your dermatologist to find out what’s going on. A simple dermatoscopy (a painless, non-invasive procedure that allows your dermatologist to examine a skin lesion or growth) can determine whether the papule is due to molluscum contagiosum. If MC is not suspected, your dermatologist may biopsy the bump for further evaluation.
How is molluscum contagiosum treated?
Since this is the result of a viral infection, antibiotics will not be an effective treatment option. In fact, the body simply needs time to fight the virus. Your dermatologist may just tell you to wait until the infection runs its course and clears up on its own.
If the papules are widespread and affecting your teen’s appearance and self-esteem, then you may wish to talk with a dermatologist about ways to get rid of the spots. Cryotherapy or certain creams may be recommended to treat and get rid of these spots.
If you are living with others, it’s important to avoid sharing any clothing or towels with the infected child or person. Make sure that your child does not scratch the bumps, which can lead to further spreading of the infection.
If your child is dealing with a rash, raised bumps, or any skin problems and you’re not sure what’s going on, it’s best to talk with a qualified dermatologist who can easily diagnose the issue and provide you with effective solutions for how to treat it.