SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT WARTS?

While we believe that worrying only robs the present moment of its joy, we also believe in being proactive—and warts are definitely not to be ignored. First off, they’re contagious, so you want curb any potential spread—both to other places on your body and to other people—right off the bat. We can generally confirm a wart diagnosis via a clinical examination. 

Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that can get under the surface of the skin through scrapes or cuts, these thick, deeply rooted bumps appear most commonly on the hands, forearms and elbows, but can just as easily show up on the feet, legs, knees and even the face and genital area. Warts are so transmittable that you don’t even need to interact with them directly for them to spread; simply touching an infected surface will often do the trick.

Who gets them? 

We see a lot of kids with warts, simply because children are more prone to getting cuts, but people with low functioning immune systems, autoimmune or chronic skin conditions are also susceptible to the infection, as are nail biters and those with underlying health issues like diabetes. 

Types

Warts are as diverse as the people who get them; here’s a quick look at the various kinds: 

• Common warts—These feel like rough, hard bumps, and manifest most often on the hands and feet.

• Flat warts—Be wary of these, as they spread widely and easily.

• Filiform warts—These also grow quickly, but rather than being dome-like, they quicker resemble a cluster of rice cereal.

• Genital warts—Passed on through sexual contact, these can be difficult to spot and even harder to treat, with some variations having the capacity to cause cancer.

• Plantar warts—These types of warts grow into the soles of the feet and can be excruciatingly painful.

Treatment 

There are lots of different ways to tackle warts, some more effective than others. Here are your choices: 

• Cryotherapy—Nothing to cry about, this basically involves freezing the wart at a temperate of about -200°; it generally takes between one to two weeks for the wart to fall off and we always recommend robbing it of oxygen during that time by covering the blister with medicated wart bandages in the interim. Stubborn warts may require more than one treatment.

• Laser treatments—This targeted combination of light and heat breaks down the blood vessels that give the wart life.

• Over-the-counter medications—Topical solutions use salicylic acid to dissolve the wart, but results may take months.

If the warts are more complex or pre-cancerous, there are other more invasive treatments available. As always, we’re here to help and it’s really easy to schedule a visit. When it comes to warts, you can do without the worry! 

CELEBRATING HEALTHY SKIN...VIRTUALLY!

At Serpentine Dermatology, we’re so proud to be a SkinCeuticals flagship location—and the only one in our region to boot! It solidifies our commitment to blending our clinical knowledge with the most innovative skincare products, treatments and technology, and gives us the opportunity to make skincare interactive and dynamic. 

Our annual Serpentine/SkinCeuticals event will bring you all this and more…

From personalised product recommendations to the support you need to maintain your skin’s long-term health, we’ve got you covered. Looking forward to seeing you there; details coming soon!

THE O.C.T. GUARANTEE

The cost of skin care products can sometimes be prohibitive, but there are over-the-counter products that are not only trustworthy and effective, they come with a much more attractive price tag. For persistent skin conditions like eczema, which require consistency when it comes to skincare regimens, this can make all the difference—and we’re confident about recommending the La Roche-Posay and CeraVe brands. 

Here’s a quick look at some of their superstar products…

LA ROCHE-POSAY

Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Body & Face Wash

This gently foaming face and body wash for dry skin uses a combination of thermal spring water and shea butter emollients to keep your skin feeling smooth, clean and well moisturised. It’s so gentle, it can be used on newborns from two weeks old. US $14.99 

Lipikar Body Lotion for Normal to Dry Skin

With soothing antioxidants, shea butter emollients and glycerin for optimum hydration, this light-as-a-feather moisturiser has long-lasting effects, and is safe to use on babies from as young as six months. Cost: US $17.99 

Lipikar Eczema Cream  

This wonderful mixture of oatmeal-based skin protectants that reduce irritation, soothing antioxidants and shea butter has been clinically proven to relieve irritated skin, and can be used from three years and up. Cost: US $14.99 

CERAVE

Eczema Creamy Oil 

This gentle, fragrance-free product soothes and moisturises eczema-prone skin. Ceramides help restore the skin’s natural barrier, making skin more resilient and, paired with ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and hyaluronic acid, go a long way to keeping you more comfortable in your skin.  

Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream

Great for treating eczema rashes, this is a welcome balm for itchy skin, offering long-lasting relief. Ceramides once again prevent moisture loss, while its other ingredients—like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide—provide additional hydration and anti-inflammatory benefits. 

All these La Roche-Posay and CeraVe products carry the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance™, and are available via Amazon.com, online pharmacies and at pharmacies throughout Trinidad and Tobago. You can also purchase online at the respective brand websites, here and here. 

EXAMINING ECZEMA

Eczema—a common skin condition which covers everything from irritated, itchy skin, to specific variations of inflamed skin—is anything but simple. The good news is, it’s not contagious. While the precise cause of eczema remains a mystery, it’s triggered by a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors—and while there is no cure, there are a range of very effective treatments that make it possible to live comfortably with the condition.  

Eczema can occur in both childhood and adulthood. We’ll break down the different types, so that you know what to look out for and how we can help treat them.  

Atoptic dermatitis 

The most common form, we’ve seen this type of eczema in everyone from newborns to the elderly. Some cases of childhood eczema may go away, but there’s no guarantee, so we always recommend proper management.

• It usually develops in early childhood and is the cause of dry skin and intermittent, itchy rashes

• A combination of suitable skin care products and routines, minimising environmental triggers and medication, helps control outbreaks

• Proper hygiene goes a long way; short but regular showers help soothe itchiness and get rid of bacteria, and sealing in moisture in that “golden minute” after you step out of the shower is also useful—we’ve got excellent product options that are gentle on your skin

Contact dermatitis

As the name implies, this form of eczema is prompted by contact with anything that  causes your skin to have an allergic reaction—cosmetics, jewellery, or even plants.

• Your skin will generally react by breaking out in an itchy rash

• We aim to identify the source of the allergic reaction so the sooner you come in to see us, the better (that way, it’s easier for us to narrow down the trigger so you know what to avoid in the future), then treat the inflammation

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing more cases of contact dermatitis due to frequent hand-washing and the effect of harsh sanitisers on the skin; using a good hand moisturiser can help

Dyshidrotic eczema

This variation causes small, extremely itchy blisters on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. 

• Such outbreaks are commonly set off by what we call the 4Ss: stress, soaps, shampoos, and sweat

• It’s a stubborn condition that can be difficult to treat, so we do everything we can to stop it from worsening

• Using cool compresses, steroid creams and other anti-inflammatory medication, as well as moisturisers that assist the skin’s barrier repair, are often helpful

Hand eczema

People who work a lot with their hands, like chefs, hairdressers, medical personnel, plumbers and technicians, tend to be more susceptible to the condition, as they are exposed to an array of external factors that could cause their skin to react. 

• Your skin, which typically looks dry, rough and scaly, may crack and become crusty and painful, sometimes to the point of bleeding

• Discolouration is not uncommon, and blisters may also develop, causing itching and burning

• It’s best to see us early, so that we can identify the cause of the outbreak and treat it accordingly

Neurodermatitis

This typically starts with an itchy area of skin which, when you scratch it, makes the condition worse. 

• Though often stress-related, the itching can be most intense when you are relaxing

• Some patients tell us the itching has woken them up from sleep

• Treatment, usually with a combination of steroid creams, moisturisers and cool compresses, is necessary if you don’t want to be caught in an endless cycle of itching and scratching, which intensify the condition

Nummular eczema

Raised itchy spots spread to form larger areas, especially in dry skin, or as a result of mishaps like insect bites or cuts. 

• The spots are generally round or oval, so it’s important to come in for an assessment, since its appearance can be mistaken for other ailments

• Interfering with the patches can make them raw and infected

• Keeping skin cool and well hydrated relieves symptoms, though you must be consistent with your regime

Stasis dermatitis 

This form of eczema happens—usually in the feet and legs—due to poor circulation. Swelling and irritation, especially if you have varicose veins, are telltale signs. 

• Regular exercise can help fend off this condition, so keep moving and maintain a healthy weight

• Stasis dermatitis is not to be trifled with; left untreated, it can be debilitatingly painful, and in some cases, change the shape of your legs and feet

• It’s critical for us to understand your medical history when working out a treatment plan—this may include compression therapy, though in severe cases, surgery may be necessary

Your best chances at staying on top of any form of eczema is early diagnosis and treatment, before it starts to affect your everyday routine. If you have concerns, simply schedule a consultation with us.   

'BYE 'BYE, ACNE!

In the same way we need air to live, Oxygeneo has applied the same concept—letting your skin breathe—to its facial technology, with impressive results! By using the body’s natural physiological processes to augment your skin’s oxygen levels, it achieves visible improvements as early as the first treatment.

 Just as impressive are its benefits to acne-prone and acne-scarred skin. Recently, with the stress of both COVID-19 and exams, we’ve been treating a lot of teenagers, who are already susceptible to acne breakouts because of their changing hormonal balance. Our targeted, acne scarring Oxygeneo facials give them quick results without downtime—or the side effects of oral medications.

 Even better, this purifying facial, with its natural infusion of powerfully gentle ingredients, rejuvenates skin and evens out pigmentation. Our patients have told us that, regardless of skin type, their skin looks and feels clean, hydrated and refreshed—but why take our word for it when you can see for yourself?

Want to try it? Make an appointment with us and watch your skin transform!