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Your skin speaks volumes about you before you ever say a word. Our dermatologists Dr. Allison Schwedelson and Dr. Tami De Araujo can help you obtain the healthy skin you deserve. Together, our skin dermatologists diagnose and treat a variety of skin conditions in adults and children including skin cancer, acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, warts and more.

Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center does accept insurance for dermatological services. Please call our office to find out if we accept your insurance provider.

Advanced Dermatology Services

Psoriasis
Nail Fungus
Warts
Athlete’s Foot
Moles
Eczema
Dermatitis
Acne

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that appears as thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches, called scales. Though most often on the elbows, knees and trunk, psoriasis can appear anywhere, including the scalp and palms of the hands. In some people, psoriasis is accompanied by joint pain and/or changes in the nails, such as thickening, yellow/brown spots, dents or separation of the nail from the base. About 30% of people with psoriasis have or develop arthritis and approximately 10% of those with psoriasis have it in their nails only.

Psoriasis is fairly common and can affect people of any age, though most commonly between the ages of 15 and 35. It can appear, disappear and flare up again repeatedly. Psoriasis is not contagious.

The patient above was treated for rosacea with a combination of topical, oral, and laser treatments. 

What causes Psoriasis?
There is a strong hereditary component to psoriasis. Some studies suggest that is occurs when the body's immune system mistakes healthy cells for dangerous substances, leading to inflammation. In normal skin, the skin cells rise to the surface about once a month and are sloughed off. In people with psoriasis, this process occurs more rapidly and the dead skin cells build up on the skin's surface, causing the thickened appearance.

How do you know if you have Psoriasis?
A raised area of thickened red skin with scaly patches is often psoriasis. However, there are 5 variations of this problem, and the only way to know for certain is to visit with us for an accurate diagnosis.

How do we treat Psoriasis?
Dr. Schwedelson will carefully evaluate your skin in our Boca Raton aesthetic center and make the best treatment recommendation based on the severity, extent and location of the condition. Treatment options include hydrocortisone creams or creams with coal tar or anthralin. There are prescription creams that contain Vitamin D or A that can be helpful. Oatmeal baths can feel soothing - either mix 1 cup of oatmeal into your bath water or purchase oatmeal bath products at the local grocery. For some, sunlight helps, so long as you avoid sunburn. Phototherapy has been shown to help as well. If the problem is severe, you may be given methotrexate or other medications, including antibiotics or specific biologics that target the body's immune response.

How to avoid Psoriasis
There is no specific way to avoid psoriasis, although there are things you can do to lessen flare-ups. Dr. Schwedelson will review these with you at your appointment.

Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is properly called onychomycosis. It can occur both on toenails and fingernails. It afflicts about 12% of the popularion, and 50% of Americans get toenail fungus by the age of 70, as the incidence increases with age. Children rarely get it. It is thought to have a hereditary component, so if you parents have/had it, you are more susceptible to it.

What causes Nail Fungus?
Nail fungus infections occur when microscopic fungi enter the area through a small nick or cut in the nail. The fungus then grows and spreads in the moist warm environment created by socks and shoes. Locker rooms, hotel carpeting, public pools and other areas of exposure can result in nail fungus, as can walking barefoot almost anywhere. Sharing shoes with someone who has it can cause the infection to spread, though nail fungus is not as highly contagious as athlete's foot.

How do you know if you have Nail Fungus?
Nail fungus is hard to miss! The nail becomes hard, thickened, turns yellow, and may also have ridges and/or spots. If untreated, you may lose the nail. It doesn't itch, burn or bleed, but the raised nail can be quite uncomfortable in certain styles of shoes, particularly the ones women love to wear, like high heels, which add pressure to the toe area due to the heel height and the common style of pointed toed-shoes. The only way to know for certain is to visit with us for an accurate diagnosis.

How do we treat Toenail Fungus?
Dr. Schwedelson will carefully evaluate your nails in our Boca Raton Aesthetic Center and make the best treatment recommendation based on the severity, extent and location of the condition. Although there are over-the-counter treatments for nail fungus available at the drug store, most of them have proven to be fairly useless in solving the problem. Treatment options include antifungal creams, lotions, gels and lacquers as well as oral medications like Lamisil, itraconazole, fluconazole and terbinafine. Unfortunately, the oral medications carry the risk of liver damage. Laser treatments have been evaluated to eliminate the infection, while preserving the nail and surrounding skin. Many men and women avoid wearing sandals when they have toe fungus, because of the embarrassment. Unfortunately, this can actually contribute to the problem, keeping the moist heat in the socks, especially here in Florida. Dr. Schwedelson may be able to file down the exterior of your nails to create a smoother surface, which can lessen discomfort. This is a painless option that can be done in the office in only a few minutes, without anesthesia or downtime. While not curing the fungus, it will at least make you more comfortable and less embarrassed about your feet!

How to avoid a fungal infection in your nails
These steps will help diminish the chance of getting a fungal infection:

• Never go without shoes - wear at least flip-flops - in locker rooms, public showers, club, hotel or public pool areas and hotel rooms.
• Make sure your shoes fit well.
• Always wear clean, dry socks after bathing and change your socks when they become moist after a work-out at the gym or after playing tennis or other sports.
• Occasionally wear sandals to allow your toes to "breathe" and keep your feet clean and dry.
• Don't wear your socks to bed, as your feet can sweat and hold in that moisture, which encourages fungal growth

Warts

Warts (also known as verruca) are generally small, rough, cauliflower-like blisters that are generally found on the hands or feet, though they can erupt anywhere. They are fairly common and can disappear after only a few months or last for many years. Warts can also recur after they are treated. Warts are contagious if you are in contact with the skin of an infected person. You can also get warts from using the towels or other items of a person who has warts.

What causes Warts?
Warts are caused by the HPV virus, which stands for human papilloma virus.  About 130 strains of the HPV virus exist, with types 1, 2, and 3 the cause of most common warts. Type 6 and 11 are responsible for what we know as genital warts. Types 16 and 18 are the cause of about 0% of cervical cancer cases, as well as some vulvar, vaginal, penile and anal cancers. You may have heard of Gardasil, the vaccine designed to prevent certain types of cervical cancers. It works by preventing infection with HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.

How do you know if you have Warts?
A raised cauliflower-type hard area of thickened skin is often a wart. Most people know them when they see them. However, the only way to know for certain is to visit with us for an accurate diagnosis.

How do we treat Warts?
Dr. Schwedelson will carefully evaluate your skin in our Boca Raton aesthetic center and make the best treatment recommendation based on the severity, extent and location of the condition. Although there are many over-the-counter treatments for warts available at the drug store, treatment by a professional is generally the most effective for both initial and long-term resolution. Treatment options include cryosurgery using liquid nitrogen; blistering agents or salicylic acid; topical or injected chemicals; or laser treatments to remove the wart. Repeated treatment is often needed because warts tend to reappear.

How to avoid Warts
Warts are contagious. Avoid using towels or other items used by someone with warts. Avoid skin-to-skin contact with someone who has them. 

Athlete’s Foot

What Causes Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection caused by dermatophytes, a parasite that lives on the skin and feeds on dead skin cells. All of us have dermatophytes, which are generally harmless. However, because dermatophytes love warm, moist places, you can break out with athlete’s foot if you wear tight-fitting shoes that create moisture between your toes, if you wear damp socks, if you don’t dry your feet properly, and/or if you use towels or shoes of someone infected with athlete’s foot. Of course, we all know you can also pick up athlete’s foot from flooring such as the showers at the club, but don’t forget the carpeting in hotel rooms! Even luxury hotels can harbor athlete’s foot in the carpeting; so don’t go barefoot in hotel rooms.  

How Do You Know If You Have Athlete’s Foot?
A red, itchy rash, particularly between the toes, is usually a sign of athlete’s foot. It sometimes is both red and scaling, and may be weepy as well. The itch can be tremendous. You can also have athlete’s foot on the soles of your feet. It doesn’t look the same as when it’s between the toes - the skin reddens but instead of an itchy rash it more commonly looks like furrows with chalky lines, though it can eventually look almost like eczema.

How Do We Treat Athlete’s Foot?
Dr. Schwedelson or Dr. De Araujo will carefully evaluate your feet in our Boca Raton aesthetic center and make the best treatment recommendation based on the severity, extent and location of the infection. Sometimes all you need is a topical medication. If the infection has advanced, you might need oral medication as well. Although there are over-the-counter athlete’s foot creams, the prescription versions tend to work faster to eradicate the infection.

How To Avoid Athlete’s Foot:

1. Dry thoroughly after baths, showers or swimming.
2. Change socks if they are wet from running, a hot day, etc.
3. Avoid shoes made from synthetic materials. Sandals or leather shoes are preferred to avoid the moisture that can collect with shoes made from synthetic products.
4. Powder your feet and the inside of your shoes with antifungal powder if you suspect you may have early-onset athlete’s foot.
5. Be sure to wash feet daily and dry thoroughly before putting on your socks and shoes. Use a separate towel to dry your feet if you have athlete’s foot, to avoid spreading it.
6. Don’t share towels with anyone else.
7. Choose cotton or wool socks over acrylic or polyester blends.

Moles

What Is A Mole?
Everybody has moles. At one time, moles were considered an attractive facial feature and were called “beauty marks!” Model Cindy Crawford is famous for the mole next to her lip. Sarah Jessica Parker removed the one on her chin after 40 years.

Moles are almost always non-cancerous, and are part of the group of skin conditions that includes freckles, skin tags, benign lentigines and seborrheic keratoses. They are usually black or brown, but can also be tan, red, gray or even blue. They can appear anywhere on the skin, either in a group or alone. Most moles appear in early childhood some children are born with them and some don’t appear until the mid-30’s. Most people have several moles by the time they reach adulthood; if they are very small and not raised, they are rarely noticed. Over time, they may change somewhat, becoming raised or darkening in color, perhaps a hair developing in the mole as well. Some can even disappear in time. Moles usually become darker after sun exposure, during the teen years and with pregnancy. Skin exposure can increase the number of moles.

What Causes Moles?
Moles are caused by skin cells that grow in a cluster instead of spreading out. The term for these cells is melanocytes. Melanocytes are the pigment-producing cells that give our skin its natural color.

Important Things To Know About Moles
If you notice any change in a mole you should come in to see us, particularly if the mole grows more than 6 mm in size (slightly larger than a quarter-inch), or has any of the characteristics of the ABCDE’s of skin cancer. It is especially important to get your moles checked if you have someone in your family that has had an abnormal mole diagnosed by a dermatologist, or someone in your family that has had melanoma.  Excessive sun exposure throughout a lifetime can also cause moles to become abnormal. Even though new moles are common in children, it is not common for an adult to get a new mole after 35 years of age. A dermatologist should check any new mole that appears after that age.

How Do We Treat Moles?
Our Boca Raton dermatologists will carefully evaluate your skin in our Boca Raton aesthetic center and make the best treatment recommendation based on the severity, extent and location of the moles that you have. Her first order of business will be to rule out skin cancer by taking a biopsy if the mole looks abnormal. If she has no reason to suspect skin cancer and you wish the mole(s) removed for cosmetic reasons, there are several options, including excision (which may include sutures if the mole is large) and/or shaving of the mole(s). We also have laser treatments for moles.

Please call Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center to schedule an evaluation of any moles that concern you. We’re here to help you look -and feel- healthy and beautiful!

Eczema

What Is Eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition that appears as one or more of the following: redness, edema (swelling), dryness, itching, crusting, blistering, flaking, oozing, cracking and/or bleeding. Although it can occur at any age, the onset is most generally during childhood. Approximately 10-15% of the population is affected with eczema.

What Causes Eczema?
Eczema is caused by both genetic and environmental factors. The inability of the skin barrier to function correctly and an increase in water loss through the skin contributes to the symptoms of itching, dryness and inflammation. It also makes the skin more susceptible to reactions from allergens, detergents, fragrances, fabrics, certain foods and dust mites. Eczema is a common condition for people with known allergies.

How Do You Know If You Have Eczema?
A red, itchy rash, which is dry and flaking, and when scratched can ooze or bleed, may be eczema. The only way to know for certain is to visit with us for an accurate diagnosis.

How Do We Treat Eczema?
Our Boca Raton dermatologists, Dr. Tami and Dr. Schwedelson will carefully evaluate your skin in our Boca Raton aesthetic center and make the best treatment recommendation based on the severity, extent and location of the condition. Treatment options include hydrocortisone creams or immunomodulators such as Elidel cream, as well as oral antibiotics or Neoral. The dermatologist may recommend antihistamines to help with the itching and potentially oral steroids to reduce the inflammation. She will also discuss cleansing and moisturizing with you to be certain you don’t exacerbate the problem with products that are not appropriate for patients with eczema. If she suspects that allergies may be either a cause or a contributing factor, she will recommend an allergist for you, if you don’t already have one.

Dermatitis

What Is Dermatitis?
Dermatitis is a broad term that means inflammation of the skin. It shows in the skin as a red and itchy rash. In general, dermatitis is caused by an allergic reaction to something eaten or something touched. Dermatitis can be painful and can include blisters on the skin. The skin may be dry and flaky as well. 

What Causes Dermatitis?
Dermatitis is usually caused by direct contact with an irritating substance or an allergic reaction to something eaten. Some people develop a rash when they eat strawberries, for example. Once the strawberries are “out of the system,” the rash goes away. Others may develop a rash when switching to a different laundry detergent when they wear clothes that were washed in that detergent, they break out in a rash. Likewise, many people react to animal dander, such as in cats or dogs.

How Do You Know If You Have Dermatitis?
A red, itchy rash, which may be dry and flaking, and may contain blisters, would be dermatitis. There are many types of dermatitis, and it could be eczema or any number of other possibilities, including a fungal infection. The only way to know for certain is to visit with a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis. Finding the underlying reason for the dermatitis is the most important step, as it leads to the choice of the right treatment.

How Do We Treat Dermatitis?
Our Boca Raton dermatologists, Drs. De Araujo and Schwedelson will carefully evaluate your skin and make the best treatment recommendation based on the severity, extent and location of the dermatitis. Treatment options include various creams, oral medications, wet dressings, immunosuppressive treatments, light therapy or even hospitalization if the dermatitis is extreme. It may be necessary to take oral medications such as antihistamines to help with the itching and steroids to reduce the inflammation. Your doctor will also discuss cleansing and moisturizing with you to be certain you don’t exacerbate the problem with products that are not appropriate for dermatitis. If there is a suspicion that allergies may be either a cause or a contributing factor, your doctor will recommend an allergist for you, if you don’t already have one.

Is Dermatitis Contagious?
“Garden variety” dermatitis is generally not contagious if caused by poison ivy, poison sumac or other similar plant life. It can be contagious from a pet to a human if the cause of the dermatitis is a fungal infection. You can get poison ivy if your pet has been playing or rolling in it in the yard, and then you pet him.

It’s important to treat any skin condition as soon as possible, to prevent spreading onto other parts of your body and to avoid the need for more powerful medications once spreading has occurred. Please call our office immediately upon noticing a rash so that we can treat you and get you feeling better as soon as possible.

Acne

What Is Acne?
Acne is a skin condition that most Americans are quite familiar with, since 90% of teens, 50% of adult women and 25% of all adults have acne!  It crosses gender lines, with males and females both equally affected with this embarrassing problem. At Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center, our Boca Raton dermatologists know more about treating acne than almost anyone.

Treating Acne
The first line of defense against acne is prevention-stopping acne before it is visible. Once we have identified an acne treatment that accomplishes this, we need you to stick with it! Even after the acne disappears, you will need ongoing treatment to keep new blemishes away. It’s crucial to begin treatment as soon as the first signs of acne appear, because the sooner you start treatment the less likely you will be to have permanent skin damage, such as acne scarring.

What Causes Acne?
Let’s first tell you what does not cause acne. Chocolate doesn’t cause acne. In fact, many researchers say that food has nothing to do with the development of acne. It’s a combination of factors that are far beneath the surface of your skin that contribute to the formation of acne.

A pimple actually starts about 2-3 weeks before you see it pop up to the surface of your skin. It starts in the sebaceous hair follicles, more commonly known as the pores.  Deep inside the pores the sebaceous glands create sebum. Sebum is a special skin oil that keeps the skin supple and moist. Without sebum, your skin would be terribly dry and flaky. As your skin cells are created, the new cells push the old ones away. The older skin cells mix with the sebum on the surface of the skin and are sloughed off by washing, touching the face, having your face in your pillow at night, etc. For people without acne, the sloughing off of these skin cells is a relatively smooth process. However, if the shedding skin cells don’t slough off, they can become sticky from the sebum, bunch together and form a plug in the follicle, similar to a cork in a bottle. The cork (plug) traps the oil and bacteria inside the follicle, which then begins to swell as more oil is produced but trapped by the plug. Eventually the body attacks this bacteria-laden plug with white cells in an effort to eliminate it. This is what creates a pimple.

How Do We Treat Acne?
Boca Raton dermatologists Drs. Schwedelson and De Araujo are quite skilled in the treatment of acne here at Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center. They treat acne in both teens and adults. First, they will carefully evaluate your skin in order to make the best treatment recommendation based on the severity, extent and location of the condition. Topical medicines that contain vitamin A products (like Retin-A, Differin, and Tazorac) are agents that are particularly effective in treating whiteheads and blackheads. Other acne treatments that we use are topical antibiotics and other topical medications, oral antibiotics, and laser treatments. For extremely severe acne a strong oral medication called Isotretinoin may be used.

At Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center, our dermatologists in Boca Raton have many successful treatments for acne. We will create an acne-clearing program that’s just right for you, just as we have done for many others.

Schedule an appointment today. Our singular goal is to make you feel great and look good with beautiful skin.