Medical Dermatology
Our office utilizes the latest in technology and medical advances in order to deliver outstanding care. An electronic medical records system facilitates the efficient and secure management of your medical information. Concise and accurate information can be conveyed to your primary care doctor and other specialists. Prescriptions may be directly faxed into your pharmacy saving valuable time and reducing errors. Digital photos of skin lesions, such as nevi (moles) can be stored directly and immediately within your computer record, enhancing our ability to identify suspicious lesions. Safe and private backup systems are in place to ensure the preservation of your medical record.
For information about innovative treatment at our office and handouts about our medical procedures, preoperative and postoperative instructions, wound care and other topics, see below. We are pleased to provide you with a more extensive library of handouts on a variety of dermatologic diseases, problems and medications, click here.
Photodynamic Therapy
New and proven technology is also used to treat skin disorders resistant to other, older therapies. FDA approved Photodynamic therapy utilizing a topical medication and blue light is used for patients with extensive sun damage and precancerous lesions (actinic keratoses) with less down time and side effects than with older therapies.
» Click here for more information on Photodynamic Therapy.
Patch Testing
Patch testing identifies substances that cause persistent skin rashes. People often develop allergies to ingredients in skin care products, cosmetics, topical medications, dyes in clothing or rubber and leather components. When these substances contact the skin, they may result in a rash known as contact dermatitis. Our office is proud to be one of only a few practices in Massachusetts to perform patch testing to the array of allergens recommended by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group. Doing so allows us to tailor patch testing to our patient’s specific exposures. Once the culprit allergen is identified, rashes often significantly improve with avoidance of exposure.
» Click here for more information on Patch Testing.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a non contagious, chronic skin disease in which patients develop raised red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scales. Common areas of involvement include the scalp, elbows, knees and buttocks. In as many as 30 percent of patients, psoriasis may involve the joints, as well causing arthritis. There are many different treatments available to help control psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis depending on the severity of disease. Our physicians prescribe many of these treatments ranging from topical therapy to newer systemic biologic agents. See www.psoriasis.org for more information on psoriasis and its many treatment options.
Hyperhidrosis
Severe underarm sweating can now be controlled for periods up to 6 months with a simple, comfortable procedure using Botox® to reduce nerve stimulation of sweat glands. This FDA approved procedure is covered by most insurance companies and leads to complete normalization of sweating in the great majority of patients. Dr. Krauss was recently chosen by the National Hyperhidrosis Society to demonstrate this procedure for other physicians at a regional meeting. In select patients, this procedure may also be used to control severe sweating of the palms. See www.sweathelp.com for more information about treatment of excessive sweating.
Skin Checks and Biopsies
Krauss Dermatology is committed to utilizing the best available laboratory to evaluate your specimen when a biopsy is necessary. We use only Caris Diagnostics for our Dermatopathology. World class skin pathologists review your slides and utilize cutting edge molecular testing when necessary for complex lesions. Find out more about this important partner in your care at www.carislifesciences.com/dermatology.
Some skin cancers (superficial basal cell and squamous cell in situ) that previously required extensive surgery can now be treated with an FDA approved topical cream (Aldara®) with cure rates only slightly below surgical treatment. This medication is not appropriate for everyone, and patients need to be closely monitored for clearing and recurrence of their skin cancers.
Pre-Op/Post-Op Information
To have the best possible outcome from any biopsy or excision, preparation and the right postoperative care is imperative. Please review the links below:
