HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE DERMATOLOGY?
I landed a job as a medical assistant during my summer breaks with a dermatologist in Fort Worth. Seeing the plethora of different skin rashes and diseases that manifest on the skin was very intriguing and challenging. Through medical school, I entertained all the disciplines but kept coming back to dermatology.
WHAT INTERESTED YOU ABOUT THE SPECIALTY?
It allows me to have a family practice-type clinic where I see multiple generations, but I also do surgery and other procedures, which I love doing.
WHAT KINDS OF SKIN CONCERNS DO YOU TREAT AT SOUTHLAKE DERMATOLOGY?
We see all the common things you might think of at a dermatology office: acne, warts, skin cancer, psoriasis and eczema. However, dermatology is much more than a top 10 skin disorder list. Many internal diseases present on the skin. I have found multiple internal cancers and genetic disorders that patients were not yet diagnosed with just by being observant and using the skills I learned through my training at UT Southwestern.
WHAT SKIN QUESTION DO YOUR PATIENTS ASK MOST OFTEN?
‘What can I do for my itchy skin?’ We often recommend CeraVe anti-itch lotion and to keep it in the refrigerator. You can use this as often as you like along with cool compresses. Zyrtec in the morning and Benadryl pills at night can also help if a topical isn't enough. We usually prescribe steroid creams for eczema but always want to make sure it isn't a fungal or bacterial infection first.
WHAT COMMON SKIN MISCONCEPTION DO YOU WISH PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD BETTER?
Drinking more water doesn't directly influence the moisture of your skin. It is important to stay hydrated, but to maintain an intact skin barrier, you need to take more action to keep your facial skin moisturized.
WHAT IS ONE SKIN CARE STEP THAT EVERYONE SHOULD MAKE A PART OF THEIR ROUTINE?
Daily sunscreen with zinc oxide such as EltaMD.