A. Deniz Akkaya, M.D.

WHAT IS ACNE AND WHY DO I HAVE PIMPLES? The medical term for “pimples” is acne. Most people get at least some acne, especially during their teenage years. Why you get acne is complicated. One common belief is that acne comes from being dirty. This is not true; rather, acne is the result of changes […]

What is alopecia areata? Alopecia means hair loss, and there are several types. Alopecia areata is one of the most common hair loss disorders characterized by loss of hair in round patches, usually on the scalp. WHAT CAUSES ALOPECIA AREATA? The exact cause of alopecia areata is unknown, but it seems to be caused by […]

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) Atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, is a common and chronic skin condition in which the skin appears inflamed, red, itchy and dry. It most commonly affects children. Atopic dermatitis is most likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Genetic causes include differences in the proteins that form the skin […]

What is diaper rash? Diaper rash is any rash affecting the skin covered by a diaper. Other names for diaper rash are “diaper dermatitis” or “napkin dermatitis”. WHAT CAUSES DIAPER RASH? Diaper rash is usually caused by wetness and friction. Urine and stool (pee and poop) can cause even more irritation, and this leads to […]

WHAT ARE INFANTILE HEMANGIOMAS? Infantile hemangiomas are collections of extra blood vessels in the skin. They are benign (i.e., they are not cancerous) and most often appear during the first few weeks of life. Hemangiomas can look different depending on where they are in the skin. “Superficial” hemangiomas are bright red and bumpy, often referred […]

What is hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)? Hidradenitis suppurativa (HI-drad-en-I-tis sup-per-ah-TEE-vah or HS) is a chronic condition of painful bumps and draining sores of the skin. It usually affects the skin folds, such as the underarms, buttock crease, and groin area. It is sometimes called “acne inversa,” although it is different from acne. WHAT CAUSES HS? HS […]

What is hyperhidrosis? Sweating is a normal body function that helps control temperature. Sweat evaporates from the skin and cools the body. Heat and emotion will make most people sweat. Hyperhidrosis is too much sweating. It is more than what is needed to control body temperature. Hyperhidrosis is a common skin problem. Five percent (5%) […]

What are hives? The medical term for hives is urticaria. Hives are itchy areas of swelling in the skin caused by a substance called histamine. Hives may be caused by many different things. WHAT DO HIVES LOOK LIKE? Hives typically appear as pink or red puffy spots (“welts”) on the skin. They can be different […]

Isotretinoin for Acne Isotretinoin is a retinoid medication that is taken by mouth to treat severe nodular acne. Typically, it is used once other acne treatments have not worked, such as oral antibiotics. Usually isotretinoin is taken for 4 to 6 months, although the length of treatment can vary from person to person. While most […]

What is mastocytosis? Mastocytosis (mas • to • cy • to • sis) is a skin condition where you have too many mast cells in some parts of the body. Cutaneous (cu • ta • ne • ous) mastocytosis is when you have too many mast cells in the skin. Mast cells are a type […]

MOLES AND MELANOMA IN CHILDREN AND TEENS What are moles? “Moles” (melanocytic nevi) are common, raised or flat skin lesions that contain an increased number of melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells in our skin that make pigment (melanin), which accounts for our skin color. Moles are most often tan or brown in color, but sometimes […]

Molluscum Contagiosum Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection seen most commonly in young to school-age children. It typically causes small bumps on the skin, which can occur anywhere on the body. The virus is contagious and spread by direct contact with the skin of an infected person or sharing damp towels, clothing, personal items […]

What is nevus sebaceus? A nevus sebaceus (also known as “nevus of Jadassohn”) is an uncommon type of birthmark seen in about 0.3% of newborns. This type of birthmark is a small area of skin that has too many oil glands that grow larger than normal. Most of the time a nevus sebaceus is noticed […]

What is papular urticaria? Papular urticaria is an increased sensitivity to bug bites that causes long-lasting bumps. The bumps may be very itchy. Sometimes one new bite can lead to the appearance of many red, itchy bumps all over the body. It is more common in the spring and summer when insects are more active, […]

What is perioral dermatitis? Perioral (or periorificial) dermatitis is a common acne or rosacea-like rash that develops around the mouth, nose and eyes of children and young adults. WHAT CAUSES PERIORAL DERMATITIS? We don’t know the exact cause of perioral dermatitis. Sometimes perioral dermatitis is triggered by steroid medicines that are taken by mouth, applied […]

Pediatric skin cancer While skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in adults, it is rare in children. Some children are more likely to get skin cancer because of factors in their health or family history. This handout discusses what you need to know about recognizing, treating and preventing pediatric skin cancer. WHO […]

What is a pilomatricoma? Pilomatricoma or pilomatrixoma is a benign (non-cancerous) bump under the skin. It usually forms on the head or neck of school-aged children, but can grow anywhere on the body. Typically, only one pilomatricoma forms at a time. Some people are prone to getting them and may get several at one time […]

Propranolol for infantile hemangiomas Infantile hemangiomas are benign (non-cancerous) collections of blood vessels in the skin. They typically undergo a period of rapid growth for several months before they eventually begin to slowly improve. WHEN DO INFANTILE HEMANGIOMAS NEED TO BE TREATED? Most hemangiomas do not require any treatment; however, a small number do require […]

What is Psoriasis? Psoriasis is a common, chronic condition in which red plaques with thick scales form on the skin. Psoriasis is a fairly common skin condition that affects 1-2% of all people. It is chronic, meaning the symptoms can come and go at any time throughout a person’s life. Psoriasis can develop at any […]

What is a port-wine stain (also known as a port-wine birthmark)? A port-wine stain is a type of birthmark made of dilated small blood vessels in the skin. It is also called a capillary malformation. This type of birthmark is usually present at birth. It can appear as light red or darker red to purple […]

What is pyogenic granuloma? A pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a benign (not cancerous) red bump made of newly formed small blood vessels. Another medical name for pyogenic granuloma is a “lobular capillary hemangioma.” PGs can happen anywhere on the skin, and they can appear at any age. PGs often grow quickly, and they may get […]

Risks of indoor tanning Every day in the United States, more than one million people use tanning beds. Most of these people are young women. Over half of college students and 17 percent of teens have used a tanning bed. INDOOR TANNING IS DANGEROUS The tanning industry says that tanning can be good for you, […]

What is scabies? Scabies is a common skin problem caused by the human itch mite. People of any age, race and social group can get scabies, regardless of personal hygiene. HOW DO PEOPLE GET SCABIES? The mite is transmitted by close skin-to-skin contact. The mite burrows into the skin, where it feeds and lays eggs. […]

Bacterial Skin Infections There are many kinds of skin infections, some common, some uncommon or even rare. Skin infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. This handout will cover skin infections caused by bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus (“Staph”) and Streptococcus pyogenes (“Strep”) are the bacteria that cause most skin infections. Examples discussed here […]

What is a Spitz nevus? Nevus (Nee vis) is a medical name for a mole. A Spitz nevus is a type of mole named after Dr. Sophie Spitz who first described it. In the past, Spitz nevi were called “benign juvenile melanoma.” This name is no longer used since melanoma is a type of skin […]

The importance of sun protection WHY PROTECT AGAINST THE SUN? In the past, sun exposure was thought to be a healthy benefit of outdoor activity. However, studies have shown many unhealthy effects of sun exposure, such as early aging of the skin and skin cancer. WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE DOES SUN EXPOSURE CAUSE? Part of […]

What is Tinea? Tinea is a fungal infection of the skin, hair or nails. These fungal infections are named for where they occur on the body. Some examples are: Tinea capitis (scalp) Tinea corporis (body) Tinea cruris (groin) – “jock itch” Tinea faciei (face) Tinea pedis (feet) – “athlete’s foot” Tinea unguium or onychomycosis (nail) […]

What is Vitiligo? Vitiligo (vit-ih-LIE-go) is a condition where individuals develop patches of white or lighter-colored skin. This results from destruction or reduction of melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment in our skin, so that they cannot properly function. The cause of vitiligo is not clearly understood, but it appears in most cases to be […]

WARTS (“Verruca Vulgaris”) What are Warts? Warts are common viral infections caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are many different strains of this virus causing different types of warts and specific tests are usually not necessary. Warts are much more common in children than adults. Warts can go away without treatment as our […]