Question 1

What To Expect

Accepted Answer

Being well-prepared for your appointment will ensure that the doctor has all of the needed information to provide the best possible care for you. It will also help alleviate any unnecessary anxiety you may be feeling prior to your first appointment. Educate yourself on your symptoms by reviewing the content on this Web site. Also, take some time to review our staff page and familiarize yourself with the doctors. We look forward to your first visit.

Question 2

Insurance and Billing

Accepted Answer

We accept most traditional insurance plans. Please contact our office to verify acceptance of your plan. Qualifications for insurance coverage may differ due to the uniqueness of each procedure. We are happy to file insurance for your reimbursement as long as you are free to choose your own dermatologist.

Question 3

Payment Options

Accepted Answer

We accept checks or credit cards. We also offer a flexible payment plan. Please contact our Financial Coordinator for details.

Question 4

Do you accept walk ins?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do!

Question 5

What ages do you see?

Accepted Answer

We see patients of all ages.

Question 6

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

Please visit our locations page, and select your office city to find directions. See our locations

Question 7

What services do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We treat a wide variety of skin conditions, including but not limited to, rashes, skin lesions, skin cancers, acne, warts, hair loss, nail fungus, dry skin, rosacea, etc. See our treatments

Question 8

After my mole removal, how long should I apply ointment for?

Accepted Answer

After cleansing, apply a coating of Vaseline or polysporin. Keep ointment on the wound at all times until the wound is healed. Apply bandages over the wound for the first five to seven days.

Question 9

Do moles grow back?

Accepted Answer

Moles are more likely to grow back if you have a shave excision, as the procedure won’t be attempting to remove the entire mole.

Question 10

How can I speed up up the healing?

Accepted Answer

Keeping the wound moist after the mole removal is essential and may help it heal up to 50% faster. Keeping it clean, bandaged, and hydrated with over-the-counter ointments like Vaseline as well as changing the bandage once or twice a day will help significantly.

Question 11

Can dark flat moles be removed?

Accepted Answer

Dark flat moles can be removed by Laser. Depending on the size of the mole, Laser mole removal may not remove the mole all at once. So, it may take more than one session to remove the mole.

Question 12

Why do moles get crusty?

Accepted Answer

Moles that begin crusting or scabbing can be an indicating factor for melanoma. A scabbing mole may be especially worrisome if it is also bleeding and/or painful. Other factors such as size, shape, color, or itching, can also be used to determine the severity of the mole.

Question 13

Should all suspicious moles be removed?

Accepted Answer

If it seems suspicious and abnormal, then you may need to have it removed. Removing a suspicious mole and then examining it for cancer cells is an important step in catching melanoma early because catching it early is when it’s the easiest to treat.

Question 14

How can you tell if a rash is serious?

Accepted Answer

Signs of a serious rash: Pain, warmth, swelling, crusting over of rash bumps, yellow discharge, green discharge, a bad smell.

Question 15

How do you cure rashes?

Accepted Answer

Some relief measures to heal a rash: Cold compress, aloe vera, moisturizing lotion.

Question 16

How long do rashes last?

Accepted Answer

Rashes will last depending on the rashes cause. However, most rashes usually disappear within a few days.

Question 17

When should I worry about a rash?

Accepted Answer

Go to the emergency room if your rash is spreading rapidly. If the rash is spreading slower but is spreading over your body, it’s still a good idea to get it looked at immediately.

Question 18

How long does an itchy rash last?

Accepted Answer

Every rash is different, some may be longer-lasting and will require long-term treatment to keep the rash under control. Whereas some rashes can usually clear up within 48 hours.

Question 19

What are signs of skin cancer?

Accepted Answer

The signs of skin cancer are often associated with growth or lump on the skin. As well as, excessive redness and new swelling beyond the mole. Color also spreads past the mole and onto the surrounding skin. Some other symptoms that can be associated with skin cancer could be: Itching, pain, tenderness, and if a mole is oozing, scaling, and bleeding.

Question 20

What does stage 1 skin cancer look like?

Accepted Answer

Early-stage skin cancer may resemble a small spot or discolored blemish that is smaller than the size of a fingernail. Its color can be identified by a red or brown hue. Sometimes white with flaking skin surrounded by blotches of darker skin.

Question 21

What are the symptoms of skin cancer?

Accepted Answer

The most common sign of skin cancer is associated with your skin changing. This can be associated with a growth, a sore that does not heal, or a change in a mole. Not all skin cancers look the same.

Question 22

What happens if skin cancer is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

If skin cancer is left untreated, it can grow deeper into the skin and damage surrounding skin, tissue, and bone. It may even become aggressive and spread to other parts of the body and can become life threatening.

Question 23

Is skin cancer curable?

Accepted Answer

If the skin cancer is found early, it is highly treatable. Often times a dermatologist can treat early skin cancer by removing cancer as well as the surrounding skin.

Question 24

Does skin cancer hurt?

Accepted Answer

Skin cancers often time don’t cause bothersome symptoms until they have grown large. At that point, they do hurt and may be associated with an itch and bleeding.

Question 25

When should you suspect skin cancer?

Accepted Answer

You should suspect skin cancer when a new, expanding, or changing growth, spot, or bump on the skin.

Question 26

Can skin cancer appear suddenly?

Accepted Answer

Some skin cancer lesions appear suddenly, others may grow slowly over time. For example, the crusty, pre-cancerous spots associated with actinic keratoses can take years to develop. While skin cancer like melanoma can appear suddenly. The lesions can vanish and reappear.

Question 27

How painful is skin cancer removal?

Accepted Answer

There isn’t much pain, in-fact the discomfort is minimal. There’s just the initial stick of the needle. You may feel a bit of pressure, but you oftentimes do not feel pain. Afterward, most patients only experience minimal pain.

Question 28

How do dermatologist treat acne fast?

Accepted Answer

Treating acne is a relatively slow and stepwise process. Patience is key since there is no overnight remedy. Each patient will have a customized treatment plan depending on their acne type and severity, location, skin type, and lifestyle.

Question 29

Which creams remove pimples?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the severity of your acne, there can be different topical ointments that may be recommended.

Question 30

Can ice remove pimples?

Accepted Answer

Ice will not cure pimples. It can, however, decrease swelling and redness, making the pimple less noticeable.

Question 31

Does drinking water help prevent acne?

Accepted Answer

Certain kinds of toxins and bacteria will clog the pores on your epidermis can cause issues like acne and pimples. Drinking more water will ensure that you won’t suffer from severe pimples and acne. The more hydrated your skin is, the less your pores will clog.

Question 32

Is going to a dermatologist worth it for acne?

Accepted Answer

Yes, going to a dermatologist is well worth it. Going to a dermatologist for acne can be one of the best things for your acne condition. You will be given guidance, treatments, and you will be able to avoid the issues that come with acne such as scaring, and dark spots.

Question 33

How do dermatologists treat acne scars?

Accepted Answer

Acne scar and dark spot treatments may be started to further improve the appearance of your skin. This may include cosmetic procedures, such as acne peels, micro-needling, etc.

Question 34

What do dermatologists recommend for cystic acne?

Accepted Answer

There are a number of treatments for different types of cystic acne. Depending on the root cause for the cystic acne, it could be treated with a simple diet change with a topical ointment to potentially having extractions depending on the severity.

Question 35

What medicines treat hormonal acne?

Accepted Answer

Some hormonally induced acne can be treated via Retin-A, Tretinoin, Differin, etc.

Question 36

What vitamins help prevent pimples?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin A helps unplug the blocked-up content in whiteheads and blackheads.

Question 37

What cream is best for psoriasis?

Accepted Answer

Topical corticosteroids creams and ointments so that the inflammation can be reduced.

Question 38

Can psoriasis be permanently cured?

Accepted Answer

There is treatment that can help you feel better. You may need topical, oral, or body-wide treatments. Even with severe psoriasis, these methods are the best options to manage it. At this time there is no cure for psoriasis since it is a chronic skin condition.

Question 39

Why do I suddenly have psoriasis?

Accepted Answer

The immune system and genetics play major roles in developing psoriasis but there are usually triggers that initiate flares. The autoimmune process causes the skin cells to shed at an abnormally fast rate, which causes the buildup of thick, red, scaly plaques. Some common triggers of psoriasis flares are illnesses that weaken the immune system like strep infection, stress, and physical trauma.

Question 40

Is psoriasis stress related?

Accepted Answer

Stress can be a common trigger for a psoriasis flare. It can also make the itch worse. Stress management is particularly important if you suffer from psoriasis.

Question 41

Can I spread psoriasis by scratching?

Accepted Answer

Psoriasis flare-ups are triggered by something. Scratching a psoriasis rash does not cause it to spread from one location to another. However, it may slow the healing process.

Question 42

Is vitamin D good for you if you have psoriasis?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Vitamin D analogues: complements topical steroid treatments.

Question 43

Is psoriasis worse in the summer or winter?

Accepted Answer

It is worse in the fall and winter, the combination of dry air and colder temperatures with fewer hours of sunlight can worsen the symptoms of psoriasis.

Question 44

Does exfoliating make psoriasis worse?

Accepted Answer

It can make it worse. Exfoliating with a scrub or loofah will get rid of dead skin cells and cause irritation to delicate skin that may cause new psoriasis patches.

Question 45

What fabric is recommended if you have psoriasis?

Accepted Answer

The best fabrics for psoriasis would be: natural, super soft, lightweight, and breathable. Fabrics that are made from cotton, bamboo, and silk.

Question 46

Is Mohs surgery serious?

Accepted Answer

Mohs surgery is generally considered safe, but there could be risks. Such as bleeding from the site of surgery. Bleeding into the wound from surrounding tissue. Pain or tenderness in the area where the skin was removed.

Question 47

What’s worse basal cell or squamous?

Accepted Answer

Squamous is more serious because of its likelihood to spread.

Question 48

Can I drive myself home after Mohs surgery?

Accepted Answer

If there was no cancer seen, the skin can be repaired, bandaged, and the patient is sent home cancer-free. The patient at that point will be free to drive themselves home if they feel comfortable.

Question 49

Does insurance cover Mohs surgery?

Accepted Answer

Mohs surgery is covered by most plans, including Medicare.

Question 50

What happens if basal cell goes untreated?

Accepted Answer

If left untreated, basal cells can become quite large, cause disfigurement, and in rare cases, spread to other parts of the body and even cause death.

Question 51

What is the difference between excision and Mohs surgery?

Accepted Answer

Mohs exam processes 100 percent of the tissue margins, whereas in standard surgical excision only 1 percent of the margins are examined microscopically.

Question 52

Are there alternatives to Mohs?

Accepted Answer

There is an alternative such as SRT. SRT stands for superficial Radiation Therapy. It is able to cure cancer without ever invading the skin of a patient.

Question 53

How fast does basal cell carcinoma grow?

Accepted Answer

Very slow. The tumors enlarge at a slow rate, sometimes so slow that they go unnoticed as new growths.

Question 54

How do you know if your Mohs is infected?

Accepted Answer

You can tell an infection has occurred when you experience fever and local symptoms such as redness, pain, warmth, swelling, and drainage of pus or cloudy fluid at the wound site within several days.

Clinic: Ridgecrest

Jeffrey Ross Gunter, M.D., FAAD

Peter Wolff, MSN, NP-C

SummitMD Dermatology Ridgecrest California

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