Archive for November, 2012

Granuloma Annulare

Sunday, November 11th, 2012

I have Granuloma Annulare.  Do you think you can help me? (Sherry – San Antonio)

Granuloma Annulare is a chronic skin condition characterized by raised, red bumps and/or patches that generally form in a circular pattern.  Women, children, and/or young adults are more likely to get Granuloma Annulare.  Individuals who are over 40 and who have diabetes mellitus or thyroid disease are at greater risk of getting General Granuloma Annulare, which is a little more severe.  Most regularly, the bumps are found on the hands, knees, feet, and elbows.  In most cases, they will disappear after a period of two years.  These bumps are sometimes associated with other diseases, such as Diabetes Mellitus.  Therefore, a thorough search of underlying disease is warranted.

When meeting with Dr. Ghohestani you will make sure that the clinical diagnosis is Granuloma Annulare, thereby ruling out any other skin conditions that mask themselves as Granuloma Annulare.  Additionally, the doctor will take a thorough patient history including looking at underlying diseases to get at the root cause of the problem.  After receiving this information, the dermatologist can them make a few treatment recommendations that may help address your skin condition.

 

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Is UVB an effective treatment for Vitiligo?

Sunday, November 11th, 2012

Is UV Treatment Effective for Vitiligo?

  • Our experts at TXID Vitiligo Clinic at San Antonio offer latest technology for treatment of Vitiligo
  • UVB and excimer laser are effective in treatment of Vitiligo specially in young individuals
  • UVB and laser is usually combined with other topical and oral treatment for Vitiligo
  • Multiple light treatment sessions are required to achieve best results for treatment of Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that causes the skin to lose and/or stop producing melanin, the pigmentation that dictates the color of your eyes, skin, and hair.  This loss of pigmentation, in Vitiligo,  is why white patches on the skin, the hair, or even the eyes may appear and continue to grow over time.  While the loss of pigmentation is not associated with physical pain, the loss of color may be unsightly or embarrassing.

Recently researchers have identified candidate genes that are associated with a higher chance of developing Vitiligo.  Interestingly, people with brown and dark eyes have a higher change of developing Vitiligo than do those who do not have these characteristics.  Scientists are unsure why this finding has developed, but further studies are ongoing.

While Vitiligo is not curable, there are treatment options that may help to slow down or stop the loss of pigmentation, and in some cases, may help to restore color.  At the Texas Institute of Dermatology, we offer a high-power, narrow band ultra violet B (UVB) laser treatment for Vitiligo.  The rays of the focused light delivers a special form of UVB that uses a specific ultraviolet B wavelength.  This form of treatment, due to its ease of process, is swiftly becoming the treatment of choice for patients suffering from Vitiligo, especially if it appeared recently.

The exact mechanism of UVB and excimer laser on Vitiligo patient is unknown. However, recent studies suggest that light treatment induces a local immunosuppression and therefore restores skin pigmentation.

 

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