Dry Skin Center - Westfield, MA
Westfield Dermatologist Doctors for Dry SkinType of Physician: Dermatologist What is a Dermatologist? A certification by the Board of Dermatology; practitioners treat pediatric and adult patients with disorders of the skin, mouth, hair and nails as well as a number of sexually transmitted diseases. They also have expertise in the care of normal skin, the prevention of skin diseases and cancers, and in the management of cosmetic disorders of the skin such as hair loss and scars. Specialty: Dermatology Common Name: Skin Doctor Dermatologist Doctors in Westfield * New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  Peter T Demos MD  Robert Letteney MD  Dermatology & Laser Center  Nicholas Greco MD  Hampshire Dermatology and Skin Health Center  Northampton Dermatology Associates PC  James H Ratner MD  Pioneer Valley Dermatology PC  County Dermatology  Joel P Gordon MD  Behzad Parhizgar MD  Fred E Mensch MD  Dermatology Center In The Berkshires PC  Skin Clinic  Fallon Meidcal Center Dermatology  Daniel E Viders MD PC  Advanced Dermatology  Gerald C Gladstone MD  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  Kuchnir Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery  Dermatology Associates of Worcester County  Karen Rothman MD  J Lawrence Dohan MD  Adult & Pediatric Dermatology  Adult & Pediatric Dermatology  Kuchnir Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery  Ayer & Westford Dermatology  Peter Muz MD  Monika Berg MD  Vicki A Chavin MD  David Rosenthal MD  Metro-West Dermatology  Linda M Ameri MD  Lawrence E Yellen MD  Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates of Concord  North Attleboro Medical Center  Dawn X Ding MD PC  Jay Goldstein MD  Attleboro Dermatology  Hines Dermatology Associates Inc  Dermatology and Skin Care Associates  Hines Dermatology Associates Inc  Hines Dermatology Associates Inc  Steven P Smith MD  Dermatology Specialists of Wellesley  Stephen V Tang MD  Dermatology and Skin Care Associates  Skin & Laser Surgery Center of New England  Michael T Rosenbaum MD  Chelmsford Dermatology PC  Chelmsford Dermatology PC  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates  Krauss Dermatology  Krauss Dermatology  Krauss Dermatology  Newton-Wellesley Dermatology Associates  Newton-Wellesley Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Partners  Newton-Wellesley Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Partners  Dermatology Partners  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates  Paul Birnbaum MD  Jay L Cohen MD  Francis Renna MD  Advanced Dermatology of Melrose  Dermatology Associates of Waltham Westfield, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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Dry SkinWhat is dry skin?Dry skin is a very common skin condition characterized by abnormal or excessive dryness of skin. While dry skin tends to affect males and females equally, older individuals are typically much more prone to dry skin. The skin in elderly individuals tends to have diminishing amounts of natural skin oils and lubricants. Areas such as the arms, hands, and particularly lower legs tend to be more affected by dry skin. Dry skin is also known as xeroderma. Dry skin may be a mild, temporary condition lasting a few days to weeks. Dry skin may also become a more severe, long-term skin problem for some. Symptoms of dry skin include discomfort from skin tightness and itching. In addition, external factors such as weather can affect the severity of skin dryness. For example, cold or dry air and winter weather can worsen dry skin. Individuals whose occupations require more frequent hand-washing and sanitizing may experience dry skin more often. Dry skin may also be a side effect of some medications or a symptom from an underlying physiological disorder, like an overactive or underactive thyroid gland or Sjogren's syndrome. Skin is normally covered by sebum, which is the natural oil product of sebaceous glands. Sebum helps to prevent skin dehydration. When the skin's fatty oils are stripped away, the skin loses its protection and loses moisture more easily. As skin becomes dry, it also may become more sensitive and prone to rashes and skin breakdown. This condition is sometimes referred to as xerosis. Dry skin may be an entirely invisible skin condition, or may cause a fine dry powder-like appearance of the skin. Untreated, dry skin may become irritated and result in a red rash (xerodermatitis). Simple prevention and treatment measures are very effective in the treatment of dry skin. Basic dry skin prevention steps include avoidance of harsh soaps and chemical cleansers. Treatment generally requires more frequent and r... Recommended Reading Related to Dry SkinWhat is a skin tag?Skin tags are common, acquired, benign skin growths that look like a small piece of soft, hanging skin. Skin tags are harmless growths. Some individuals may be more prone to tags (greater than 50-100 tags) either through increased weight, in part combined with heredity, or other unknown causes. Males and females are equally prone to developing skin tags. Obesity and being moderately overweight (even temporary increases in weight) dramatically increase the chances of having skin tags. Women of normal weight with larger breasts are also more prone to developing skin tags under their breasts. Some small tags spontaneously rub or fall off painlessly and the person may not even know they had a skin tag. Most tags do not fall off on their own and persist once formed. The medical name for skin tag is acrochordon. Skin tags are bits of skin- or flesh-colored tissue that project from the surrounding skin from a small, narrow stalk. Some people ca... Other Related Dry Skin ArticlesEmergency Contact for Westfield
Nearby Westfield Hospitals *Western Massachusetts Hospital Baystate Medical Center Mercy Medical Center Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital Shriners Hospital for Children Noble Hospital Providence Hospital Kindred Hospital Park View Holyoke Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts Cooley Dickinson Hospital Northampton VA Medical Center Wing Memorial Hospital & Medical Center Johnson Memorial Hospital Rockville General Hospital St Francis Care Hospital Mount Sinai Campus The Hospital at Hebrew Healthcare Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital St Francis Hospital & Medical Center Manchester Memorial Hospital Baystate Mary Lane Hospital Hungerford Emergency & Medical Care Connecticut Children's Medical Center Hartford Hospital Institute of Living Hartford Hospital University of Connecticut Health Center John Dempsey VA Connecticut Healthcare System Newington Campus Cedarcrest Hospital Hospital for Special Care The Hospital of Central Connecticut New Britain Campus Veterans Home & Hospital Rocky Hill Harrington Memorial Hospital Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Bristol Hospital Franklin Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Dry Skin by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Rash
- The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
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Skin Tag
- A skin tag is a small benign growth of skin that projects from the surrounding skin. Skin tags can vary in appearance (smooth, irregular, flesh colored, dark pigment, raised). Skin tags generally do not cause symptoms unless repeatedly irritated. Treatment for skin tag varies depending on the location on the body.
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Hypothyroidism
- Hypothyroidism is any state in which thyroid hormone production is below normal. Normally, the rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the brain at the pituitary. Hypothyroidism is a very common condition and the symptoms of hypothyroidism are often subtle.
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Athlete's Foot
- Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a skin infection caused by the ringworm fungus. Symptoms include itching, burning, cracking, peeling, and bleeding feet. Treatment involves keeping the feet dry and clean, wearing shoes that can breathe, and using medicated powders to keep your feet dry.
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Psoriasis
- Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition that may cause large plaques of red, raised skin, flakes of dry skin, and skin scales. There are several types of psoriasis, including psoriasis vulgaris, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, and pustular psoriasis. Symptoms vary depending on the type of psoriasis the patient has. Treatment of psoriasis may include creams, lotions, oral medications, injections and infusions of biologics, and light therapy. There is no cure for psoriasis.
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Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
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Hyperthyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism is an excess of thyroid hormone resulting from an overactive thyroid gland. Symptoms can include increased heart rate, weight loss, depression, and cognitive slowing. Treatment is by medication, the use of radioactive iodine, thyroid surgery, or reducing the dose of thyroid hormone.
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Itching
- Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching to include: infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.
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Sjogren's Syndrome
- Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease involving the abnormal production of extra antibodies that attack the glands and connective tissue. Sjögren's syndrome with gland inflammation (resulting dry eyes and mouth, etc.) that is not associated with another connective tissue disease is referred to as primary Sjögren's syndrome. Sjögren's syndrome that is also associated with a connective tissue disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or scleroderma, is referred to as secondary Sjögren's syndrome. Though there is no cure for Sjögren's syndrome, the symptoms may be treated by using lubricating eye ointments, drinking plenty of water, humidifying the air, and using glycerin swabs. Medications are also available to treat dry eye and dry mouth.
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Thyroid Disease
- There are many types of thyroid disease. Some occur due to the function of the thyroid itself such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, etc. Some causes of thyroid disease occur due to problems with the structure of the thyroid gland such as goiters, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. Treatment of thyroid disease depends on the cause of the disease.
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Rash
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