What’s the difference between skin tags and moles? Though skin cancer can look like a mole, true moles are harmless skin irregularities. Skin tags and moles are both types of skin growths. A skin tag is a small, soft balloon-shaped benign skin growth connected to the skin by a thin stalk. Skin tags are extremely …
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What is ringworm? What is eczema? Share Your Story Ringworm and eczema both cause itchiness. Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin (ringworm is also termed tinea or dermatophytosis), and the different types of ringworm are named for the location of the rash on the body (for example, tinea corporis [arm and/or leg], scalp [tinea capitis]). These infections …
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What is Topical Calamine Lotion? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Calamine is a mixture of zinc oxide and other components. Calamine and zinc oxide are topical anti-itch lotions. Although the exact mechanism of how calamine and zinc oxide work is not known, they have skin protecting and astringent properties that relieve itching. They also seem to slow down …
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Keloid facts Keloids are firm, pink to red, itchy, irritated bumps that tend to gradually enlarge and appear at the site of previous skin damage. Keloids develop as a consequence of abnormal scar formation. People with darker skin are typically more predisposed to develop keloids. Simply cutting out a keloid is likely to result in an even larger keloid developing …
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What is mupirocin? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Mupirocin is an antibiotic that is used topically (on the skin) for the treatment of impetigo, a bacterial disease of the skin caused by Staphylococcus aureus, beta-hemolytic streptococcus and Streptococcus pyogenes. It also is used intranasally (inside the nose) by patients and some people who work in healthcare centers to …
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What is pramoxine-hydrocortisone lotion? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Pramoxine-hydrocortisone products are used to treat pain and inflammation caused by various skin conditions. Hydrocortisone is a synthetic (man-made) corticosteroid that is used on the skin (topically). The naturally-occurring corticosteroid is cortisol or hydrocortisone produced by the adrenal gland. Corticosteroids have potent anti-inflammatory actions and also suppress the immune …
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What is methoxsalen? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Methoxsalen is a naturally occurring photoactive chemical found in the seeds of the Ammi majus (Umbelliferae) plant and in the roots of Heraclem candicans. It belongs to a group of compounds known as psoralens, or furocoumarins. It is used for treating psoriasis, idiopathic vitiligo (leucoderma) and cutaneous (skin) manifestations of …
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What is thalidomide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Thalidomide is an oral medication used for treating the skin conditions of leprosy, a disease caused by a parasite, Mycobacterium leprae. The mechanism of action of thalidomide is not well understood. The immune system reaction to Mycobacterium leprae plays an important role in producaing the skin manifestations of leprosy. …
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What is clotrimazole and betamethasone (Lotrisone)? Lotrisone is a cream or lotion consisting of a combination of the drugs clotrimazole and betamethasone. Clotrimazole is an antifungal drug related to: fluconazole (Diflucan) ketoconazole (Nizoral) itraconazole (Sporanox) miconazole (Micatin, Monistat) Betamethasone is a corticosteroid used for the relief of inflammatory and itchy skin conditions in patients 13 years of age or older. …
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What is alefacept, and what is it used for? Alefacept is an injectable drug that suppresses the immune system and is used for the treatment of psoriasis. Scientists believe that psoriasis is caused by an increase in the production of one type of immune cell, T-lymphocytes, in response to the attachment of a stimulant (antigen) to the lymphocyte. The stimulated …
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