Kate Upton: “And, oh my god, I love my dermatologist, Marjan Hafizi, who’s based in Beverly Hills. I’m obsessed.” Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants, featured in this month’s Hello! Fashion. It’s an honor to be recognized in one’s profession. Thanks Kate Upton!
Read the full Kate Upton interview
– Dr. Bussell
Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661
This is a frequent complication of having your nails done. It can also happen if you cut your nails yourself. This is medically known as paronychia. It is an infection of the skin adjacent to the nail, usually caused by a small cut in this adjacent skin. This results in bacteria, fungus and/or yeast entering the skin, causing an infection, resulting in pain, tenderness, redness and swelling. It is important to see a dermatologist for this condition, as it is difficult to treat at home.
If not properly treated, this condition can result in serious permanent damage to the skin of tip of the finger.
It is treated with either oral antibiotics or oral anti-fungal/anti-yeast medication. It is important, if possible, to attain a culture and sensitivity from the infected tissue in order to determine which germ is growing and the appropriate antimicrobial medication to treat it.
In addition, meticulous topical care with appropriate medications is essential. This condition can be extremely painful and, if not appropriate treated, can even severely damage the adjacent skin on the finger or toe.
Once treated appropriately, the condition can be completely cured.
– Dr. Bussell
Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661
What you are describing can be caused by an ingrown toenail or an infection around the toe caused by cutting the skin during a pedicure. The infection resulting from an ingrown toenail should be treated not only with oral antibiotics but also meticulous removal of the portion of the nail that is cutting into the adjacent skin.
I do not recommend partial permanent removal of the toenail, which is frequently done by foot doctors. I recommend removing only the portion of the nail that is causing the problem on the side of the nail. I try to keep the growing portion of the nail intact. This requires careful microsurgery for the involved area and vigorous topical treatments to heal the damaged skin. The longer the condition has lasted, the longer it may take to completely resolve. Usually healing from this method results in a totally normal nail.
– Dr. Bussell
Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661
Yes. In particular there is a condition known as bullous pemphigoid. This eruption consists of blisters scattered over different parts of the body. It is considered to be either a drug (medication) rash or one that is autoimmune (not caused by medication but by the body’s own immune process).
The most common class of drugs that cause bullous pemphigoid are the sulfa drugs. These drugs can range from certain diuretics, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs to diabetic medications. The rash is extremely itchy. This eruption can also develop a secondary bacterial infection resulting in crusted lesions scattered all over the body.
Bullous pemphigoid must be treated by eliminating the offending medication, as well as topical and systemic therapy.
– Dr. Bussell
Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661
Yes. It is FDA approved specifically for this purpose. It increases volume lost due to age and plumps up the sagging skin along the cheekbones. A secondary benefit is that by pulling this skin up, it tends to diminish nasolabial fold lines (the lines between the nose and the corners of the mouth), as well as helps with jowls due to its lifting effect. Surveys done by the company that manufactures the product have indicated that most patients feel that once they have reached maximum correction with Voluma, they look 10 years younger. I highly recommend it for all my patients interested in the beneficial effects of fillers.
– Dr. Bussell
Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661
There is a condition commonly known as Shingles, which is medically known as Herpes Zoster. This is not related to the STD Herpes Simplex. It represents a reinfection with, or a reactivation of, the chickenpox virus. The rash consists of small fluid-filled bumps on the surface of the skin in clusters. These clusters may be small, as in the photo shown, or can wrap around one side of the body in a Shingles-like fashion.
The treatment for this rash is very different from the treatment for insect bite reactions. Individuals who experience itching, burning and/or tingling and pain with a rash as described should see a dermatologist for anti-viral treatment, as well as medication for pain and itching.
– Dr. Bussell
Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661
Athlete’s foot is more of a problem in the summer because of the heat and sweat allowing a good environment for fungus to grow. The over-the-counter anti-fungal medications can frequently work very well to alleviate the symptoms of itching and discomfort.
Athlete’s foot is a fungus infection resulting in scaling and itching of the involved skin. It is more common in men, but women can also get it. The over-the-counter anti-fungal medicines are usually very effective; however, sometimes if the areas between the toes are moist and oozing, it is better to use a liquid treatment rather than a cream. An over the counter antiseptic spray, such as one containing benzalkonium chloride, can be useful for the moist infections in between the toes.
– Dr. Bussell
Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661
Itching during pregnancy can be something very simple like eczema (patches of dry skin), seborrheic dermatitis (scaling and flaking of the scalp and central face), and other common dermatoses. However, itching associated with blistering can represent a condition known as pemphigoid gestationis, sometimes called herpes gestationis—completely different from what is commonly referred to as the herpes virus. It is uncommon however very symptomatic when it is seen during and immediately after pregnancy.
Lesions can appear as red patches or blisters all over the body. Conditions such as allergic contact dermatitis, drug allergies and a condition known as pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) can also be confused with herpes gestationis.
The condition may last for weeks or months and is usually treated with various forms of cortisone.
– Dr. Bussell
Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661
A recent study done in Prague, Czech Republic, has shown that high does of finasteride help to stop hair loss in women. The investigators concluded that the results were significant, however, not everyone in the study responded to the medication. In order to qualify for that study, certain hormone tests had to be within normal limits. Additionally, patients were placed on oral contraception to avoid fetal complications from the finasteride. This study is a step in the right direction for the treatment of female pattern hair loss, however, this medication would not be suitable for every woman with this condition.
Many excellent clinical results have been also obtained from adjusting women’s vitamin and mineral supplements, in addition to other oral and topical medications.
– Dr. Bussell
Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661
Many people refer to a total body skin examination as a skin scan. This examination is done by a qualified dermatologist to evaluate patients’ skin for malignant and pre-malignant lesions (growths). Skin cancer is a significant problem for people who have had significant sun exposure at any time during their life—even as a child or young adult. During a skin scan, every square inch of skin on the face and body is carefully examined. This can only be done accurately by a trained professional. An accurate diagnosis of a malignant melanoma can be life saving. I recommend that anybody who has had significant sun exposure in the past be examined every six months starting as a young adult. Any of my patients who have had melanomas or other significant skin cancer are asked to return every three months for a total body skin scan. It should be remembered that the skin is the largest organ of the body and not only is it vulnerable in itself, but it can also be a window to other medical conditions within the body.
– Dr. Bussell
Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661
