Warts – it’s all about the vitamin A

I’ve seen a wonderful patient over the past year who is in her late sixties and has been coming in for treatment of a wart.  Although we typically think of a wart (verrucae plantaris) as a disease of adolescence, every so often I’ll see someone in their sixth or...

What is venous hypertension and how does it cause venous stasis dermatitis?

Hypertension most commonly refers to the overall pressure of the circulatory system, or what would be called high blood pressure.   The term hypertension can also be used to describe elevated pressures in specific regions o...

How does the skin blister and why does it happen?

The formation of a blister is a localized deposition of fluid, most commonly deep to the epidermis, the most superficial layer of skin.  Blistering can occur due to a direct insult to the skin such as friction, an acute temperature injury to the ski...

What is urea and how is it used in skin care?

Urea is a naturally occurring nitrogen crystal.  Urea is the product of protein degradation in the human body, produced by the liver and excreted through the kidneys.  Urea is the primary means through which your body eliminates nitrogen.  Urea is non-t...