Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants Est. 1979
Letantia Bussell, MD
Kate Upton’s Beverly Hills Dermatologist
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
What can I do about redness and swelling around my fingernails and toenails after having a manicure and pedicure?
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 are skin tags and how are they removed?
Skin tags are small, benign flaps of tissue that hang off the skin, usually found on the neck, torso, or groin. Tags typically appear brown or flesh-colored and are thought to be caused by rubbing of the skin in folds or creases. They are particularly common in women during pregnancy, though almost anyone is susceptible.
Even though skin tags are harmless, they can be a nuisance, and are easily removed by electrocautery or freezing by liquid nitrogen. If you have a skin tag you would like removed, give our office a call today to schedule an appointment to easily remove the pesky growth.
– Dr. Bussell
Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661
Do drinkable sunscreen and sunscreen pills actually work?
Probably not. Drinkable sunscreen, or water that has been treated with electromagnetic waves, supposedly allows the body to better deal with external UV waves, thereby preventing damage to the skin. Sunscreen pills are filled with vitamins and antioxidants, and similarly work from the inside out to help the body fight damaging UV waves.
Both products may sound like an easy alternative to regular SPF and suncare, but there is no research citing the usefulness of drinkable sunscreen, and very little supporting sunscreen pills. Though neither product seems to be directly harmful, nothing can compare to broad-spectrum SPF and a hat when protecting skin from the sun. Try Dr. Bussell’s SPF 30 Sunblock for full coverage.
– Dr. Bussell
Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661
What can be done about redness, swelling and tenderness around the big toe?
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
Can blisters on the skin mean allergy to a medication?
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
Does the new Juvederm injectable product “Voluma” help with sagging cheekbones?
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
Can a summertime rash that looks like insect bites be something else?
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
What can I do about summertime athlete’s foot?
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