Dermatology 101
Dermatology 101 offers essential information on skin health, common conditions, treatments, and skincare routines, helping individuals understand and care for their skin effectively.
About Wrist Flexion and Exercises to Help You Improve It
What is normal wrist flexion? Wrist flexion describes bending your hand downward at the wrist so the palm turns toward the forearm. It’s a component of the wrist’s usual range of motion. When wrist flexion is within normal limits, the muscles, bones, and tendons that form the wrist are functioning properly. Flexion is the counterpart of extension, which involves moving the hand backward so the palm faces upward. Extension is…
Is It a Rash or Is It Herpes?
Herpes lesions often look wet and may form a crust once they rupture. Other types of rashes, such as those from irritants or tinea cruris (jock itch), usually present differently. (img by Shutterstock) When someone develops an inflamed, painful skin eruption, they may worry it’s caused by herpes. To help distinguish between them, this article compares the visual signs and symptoms of herpes with those of several frequent skin rashes.…
Treatment for Atrophic Scars
What are atrophic scars? An atrophic scar is a sunken mark that heals beneath the normal skin layer. Atrophic scars form when the skin cannot regenerate tissue, resulting in uneven scarring patterns. These scars often arise from severe acne or varicella. They can also develop after mole removal. The indentation can take on one of three scar types: Ice pick scars. These are small, narrow marks resembling deep pores. Boxcar…
What’s the Difference Between a Wart and a Corn?
If you notice a skin bump or growth on your foot, you may be wondering whether it’s a wart or a corn. Both can occur on the feet and, because they sometimes look alike, even clinicians can find them hard to distinguish. Despite these resemblances, warts and corns are distinct conditions. Below is a guide to help you distinguish them, plus advice on treatment and prevention for each. Wart vs.…
What Are Marionette Lines, and How Do I Get Rid of Them?
What are marionette lines? Marionette lines are facial creases that appear as part of the natural aging process. These grooves travel downward from the corners of the mouth toward the chin and can contribute to drooping in the lower face. The term “marionette lines” comes from string puppets, which often have movable jaws that give the appearance of a split mouth. The skin around the mouth is especially susceptible to…
How to Minimize and Prevent Glabellar Lines (Also Known as Forehead Furrows)
Forehead creases are a normal consequence of aging. Caring for your skin diligently can help prevent or soften their appearance, and professional interventions such as facelifts or dermal fillers may provide additional improvement. (img by National Laser Institute) Your “glabella” refers to the skin on your forehead between your eyebrows and above the bridge of your nose. When you make facial expressions, the muscles in your forehead move that skin.…
11 Causes of Redness Around the Nose and What to Do About It
Your nose and the surrounding skin can turn red from conditions that irritate the skin. In some cases, redness around the nose reflects an infection or an allergic response. Short-lived redness near your nostrils is common. External influences such as cold winds, low temperatures, or allergens may inflame the delicate skin beneath your nose and around your nostrils. You might be looking for explanations because this keeps happening to you…
How and When to Use a Pressure Bandage
(Wavebreak Media/offset) A pressure bandage (sometimes called a pressure dressing) is a dressing intended to exert pressure on a specific area of the body. Generally, a pressure bandage does not have adhesive and is placed over a wound that’s been covered with an absorbent layer. That absorbent layer may or may not be secured with sticky tape. Pressure bandages are applied to help control bleeding and promote clot formation while…
How to Deal with a Tattoo Blowout
Many people encounter tattoo blowouts, and sometimes they’re unavoidable. Fortunately, there are ways to address them afterward. You got a fresh tattoo a few days ago, but something seems off: the ink has spread beyond the intended lines and now the design appears fuzzy. If you’re not familiar with tattoos, you might be unsure what’s happening. Most likely, you’re dealing with a tattoo blowout. A tattoo blowout happens when the…
The Butterfly Needle: What to Expect
A butterfly needle is an instrument used to reach a vein for obtaining blood samples or administering medications. (img by KRUUSE) Some clinicians refer to a butterfly needle as a “winged infusion set” or a “scalp vein set.” The name comes from the small plastic “wings” on each side of the hollow needle that help secure and manipulate it during venous access. Although designs may differ somewhat, most butterfly needles…
