Many skin conditions are all too common making them easily recognizable and treatable via telehealth. 

Common Conditions

• Bacterial Skin Infections

  • Cellulitis
  • MRSA
  • Nail border infection
  • Skin piercing infection
  • Tattoo infection

• Fungal Skin Infections

  • Ringworm
  • Fungal or yeast infections

Most bacterial skin infections resolve with oral antibiotics, while fungal infections are often best treated with topical antibiotics. 

• Insect or Mite infections

  • Scabies
  • Bedbugs
  • Facial hair follicle mites (Demodex Folliculorum)

Topical antiparasitic creams or washes can remedy insect or mite infestations. 

• Viral Infections

  • Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1)
  • Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2)
  • Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
  • Warts

Antiviral medications for Herpes can help to clear up viral infections in as little as a few days when initiated early.

Topical solutions and cryotherapy are successful first line treatments for warts.

• Allergic Conditions

  • Skin reactions
  • Skin allergies
  • Hives

Antihistamines and sometimes topical or oral steroids may be used to resolve allergic skin conditions.

Skin Lesions (Growths)

Any skin mole ought to first be assessed by the ABCDE’s.

A – asymmetry, is the shape of the mole a symmetrical circle or is it oddly shaped? If it is an old mole is it suddenly starting to change shape?

B – border, is the border of the mole well defined and smooth, or is it irregular?

C – color, is the mole one color or does it have various shades? If it is an old mole, was the mole previously one color, but now it is changing or a new redness is appearing around it?

D – diameter, is the mole larger than the size of a pencil eraser (6 mm)? Is the mole fast growing, or is it an old mole which is suddenly growing?

E – evolution, is the mole changing or behaving differently than before? Is it growing, changing shape or color, itching, scaling, scabbing, draining or bleeding?

If YES to any of the above, see a Dermatologist for further evaluation and possible biopsy right away. 

• Chronic & Inflammatory Skin Conditions

  • Acne
  • Eczema
  • Rosacea
  • Psoriasis

• Eyelid Lesions

  • Stye (Hordeolum) – tender, red lump with swelling of the eyelid edge
  • Chalazion – nontender, skin colored rubbery lump of the eyelid

Common eyelid conditions, diagnosed as a Stye or a Chalazion are often self limiting and will resolve in weeks with home remedy. 

Washing the face and eyelids twice daily with a gentle cleanser, and perhaps the eyes with clear yellow Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo is recommended. 

The staple of treatment however, is applying warm compresses to the area plus gentle massage for expression and drainage for ten minutes, ideally four times a day. 

Avoid and discard any eye makeup while the lesion is healing. 

If no resolution in a couple of weeks, or if worsening, see a local eye doctor for evaluation for incision and drainage.