However, the great outdoors do come with certain annoyances such as ticks. These little bloodsucking creatures easily latch onto your skin. Then they stick their head inside your body and start sucking blood. Always check yourself for ticks after you have been outside, especially in the mountains. The best way to remove them is using tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, pulling upward and not twisting.

There are a number of types of ticks, but one specific kind, the blacklegged ticks, carries Lyme disease. If a tick is removed within 24 hours of the first bite, your risk of infection drops dramatically. About 80 to 90 percent of people who develop Lyme disease from a tick will have a red rash with a red ring emanating from the site of the bite. When treated with antibiotics in the early stages of the disease, Lyme disappears quickly in most people.

If you have a tick bite or you think you might have developed Lyme disease and want a doctor to look at it, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

During the summer, every magazine, news story and radio ad seems to be about protecting your skin from the sun. Most people know the basics for taking care of their skin, even if they don’t follow it every day. However, you might not be as well-versed with your baby’s skincare needs.

The sun begins damaging skin the second it comes in contact with it. So essentially, we are first susceptible to sunburns or even developing skin cancer when we are babies. Parents must take an active role in protecting their children from the sun. Here are a few tips for keeping your baby safe in the sun:

• The sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. so stay in the shade during these hours. If that isn’t possible, make sure you apply SPF 40+ every three hours.

• Provide shade and protection. If you are walking in the stroller, attach a cover and put a hat on your baby. If you are laying on the beach, pop open a small tent for your child to play in.

• Cover your baby’s arms and legs in lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors reflect heat and keep the skin cooler than dark colors which absorb heat.

If you have any questions about protecting your baby in the sun, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Basal cell carcinoma is a growth of abnormal cells arising in the basal cells, which are found in the skin’s deepest layers. They often look like open sores, red patches or scars. While all skin cancers are dangerous, basal cell carcinoma almost never spreads beyond the original tumor site (unlike Melanoma). There are an estimated 2.8 million cases of basal cell skin cancer diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Additionally, it is the most frequently occurring form of all cancers.

Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly and is usually painless. It may not look much different from your normal skin. However, if you have a skin bump or growth that is pearly/waxy and pink/red and resembles a wound, call your dermatologist immediately.

If you have any questions about a spot on your skin or how to prevent basal cell carcinoma, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Squamous cell carcinoma is a growth of abnormal cells arising in the squamous cells, which compose most of the skin’s upper layers. They are caused by extended and unprotected UV exposure. An estimated 700,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the US, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths.

If you didn’t reach for your sunscreen before, we hope you will reconsider now. This information is not to scare but to inform and educate those who might not realize the harm that can come from unprotected sun exposure. If you have any questions about a spot on your skin or how to prevent squamous cell carcinoma, please call us today at 865-690-9467.

Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

It is National Facial Protection Month, and since we are almost to the hottest time of the year, you need to know the best ways to protect your face.

This month also happens to coincide with Knoxville’s Derby Days. This multiple-day event includes parties and fundraisers all around the city, but there is one main focus- hats. Everyone knows that the Kentucky Derby’s greatest asset is the ladies’ hats, and that has trickled over into Knoxville’s Derby events as well. There are contests and events simply for the best hats.

Whether you plan to wear a large hat to Derby Days or a ball cap to the park, it is important to remember that protecting your face should be your number one goal this season. Call today at 865-690-9467 to discuss how you can take extra care of your face this month.

Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

April showers bring May flowers. Knoxville has seen its fair share of showers this month, leaving many hopeful gardeners ready to plant and garden. This is one of the most beautiful parts of spring. However, whenever you are working outside there is always a risk of running into poison ivy or poison sumac.

Poison ivy is identifiable by its three glossy leaves with pointed tips, and the middle leaflet is usually the largest. During the summer months, the plants can grow yellowish-green flowers in small clusters and grayish-white fruits. Poison sumac is very rare, and only grows as small trees or large shrubs in very wet areas, such as swamps, because their roots need to be in water. The stems are red and smooth with 7-13 smooth leaves growing on them.

Poison ivy and poison sumac both contain an oily resin called urushiol, which can cause an irritating rash when it comes in contact with your skin. The rash generally develops within 12-48 hours, depending on your sensitivity to the irritant and how much oil comes in contact with the skin. It can take several weeks for the rash to subside.

There has always been a myth that the rash is contagious from person to person. Good news – it is not! However, the oil can be transferred to the skin from clothes or other objects that made contact with the plant so you must be extremely careful.

You can soothe the itch by using a topical corticosteroid cream, using calamine lotion, taking cool showers or applying cool compresses. Sometimes this isn’t enough though, and if this is your case, our doctors can help. Remember to protect yourself while enjoying the great Tennessee outdoors! Call today at 865-690-9467.

Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

May is Melanoma Awareness Month. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and anyone is susceptible to developing it. It is our duty to help increase awareness of the importance of the prevention, early detection and treatment of skin cancer.

Each year, approximately two million people in the United States are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer, with the majority being either basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas. In addition, melanoma has tripled over the past three decades and is currently one of the top 10 causes of new cancer cases.

We encourage everyone to be aware of the four warning signs for keeping skin healthy:

• A for Asymmetry – if one half of a mole is different than the other half
• B for Border Irregularity – if the mole’s edges are uneven, blurred or notched
• C for Color – if the mole’s color is uneven and has shades of black or brown
• D for Diameter – if the mole’s diameter is greater than 6 milimeters

“It is important to pay attention to your skin so it’s easier to recognize changes that may need to be examined,” said George Keough, MD. “A sudden or continuous change (including any of the ABCD’s) in the appearance of a mole is a sign to contact a dermatologist immediately.”

During the upcoming summer months, stay in the shade and do not go in the sun without SPF 30 or higher, with both UVA and UVB protection. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding skin cancer or protection.

It is hard enough for skin these days as the weather moves from cold to warm. Skin naturally lost moisture throughout the winter and is now trying to balance back out. On top of that, some of you have to deal with eczema. And that just isn’t fair.

Eczema is a skin condition characterized by dry, flaky and itchy skin. Little red patches can pop up anywhere on the skin and drive you crazy with the nonstop itching. It is not contagious, but you can get it from simple things like washing dishes without wearing gloves and genetics.

Good skincare is a key component in controlling eczema. For some people with mild eczema, modifying your skin care regime and making a few lifestyle changes could help clear up the condition. On the other hand, more severe eczema may need medication like prescription-strength creams or pills to control its irritating symptoms.

We would love to help you ditch the itch! Call today at 865-690-9467.

Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

There are plenty of anti-aging creams, serums—you name it—on the market today. So how do you know what works and what is all talk? Luckily, we have the answers from our board-certified physicians at Knoxville Dermatology Group.

Retinol is the number one anti-aging ingredient, and is prescribed the most by dermatologists. It is based on Vitamin A derivatives that unclog pores and boost collagen to reduce fine lines. In addition, it can speed cell turnover to even out discoloration and smooth the skin, sometimes in as little as four weeks.

The top three prescription-strength retinols are tretinoin (brands include Atralin, Avita, Retin-A, Retin-A Micro, Renova), tazarotene (Avage, Tazorac), and adapalene (Differin). There are also over-the-counter retinols for those of you whose skin cannot handle the strength of prescription retinols.

In addition to softer lines and skin, retinols also banish acne and clear up your skin. Talk about a skincare double whammy! Use it once a day (or once every other day until your skin is used to it) at nighttime because retinol is photosensitive. Because of this, apply sunscreen with SPF30+ every morning after your usual skincare routine.

Have you tried a retinol yet? Ask us about it today at 865-690-9467.

Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

The weather has finally made the transition from winter to spring here in Knoxville, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the warmth.

While we love the change in weather, our skin doesn’t always reciprocate the feeling. We have some tips today to easily take your skin from dull to fresh.

- Simplify your skincare. Throw away your thick, winter moisturizers and opt for a light lotion with SPF 30+. Look for gentle yet effective cleansers that target your trouble areas (acne, anti-aging).

- Exfoliate. Cell turnover slows during the winter, causing your skin to look dull. Increase the cell turnover and brighten up your skin by exfoliating at least four times a week.

- Update your makeup. Substitute heavy foundation for light, tinted moisturizer. You still get coverage but it lets your skin breathe. Also, use cream shadows and blush to play up your features.

Now go outside and enjoy this weather with your spring-ready skin!

If you need more serious help with skin issues or something else that is troubling your skin, we are here to help. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.