Pediatrics

• Dr. Lee specializes in:
  • Helping parents identify any potentially serious skin conditions in their babies and young children
  • Treating skin conditions most common in children

About Eczema

Children have sensitive skin that may get irritated more easily than an adult’s skin. Eczema is a general term for when the skin is swollen, discolored, dry, and/or itchy. Some facts you need to know about pediatric eczema are:

• Babies are most likely to get a type of eczema called “atopic dermatitis,” which begins with itchy skin and then progresses to a rash
• There are many other types of dermatitis, which is why it is so important to have any skin conditions evaluated to determine the exact type and cause

Treatment Options for Pediatric Eczema

The utmost care is taken to make the treatment easy for parents to administer and realistic for the child to undergo. Treatment can vary by the cause:

• Most often topical creams or lotions
• Sometimes an oral medicine

About Birthmarks

Most birthmarks are harmless. Many will go away on their own, but others may affect your child’s appearance or require medical attention.

With her vast experience, Dr. Lee can help parents determine what to do for different types of birthmarks:

• Depending on where they are located, birthmarks can affect eating, seeing, or breathing
• Some birthmarks may grow beneath the skin or internally, which may affect organs, nerves, or blood flow
• Certain birthmarks or grouping of birthmarks (eg, café au lait spots) may be signs of a genetic disorder or eventually become cancerous

Evaluation and Treatment for Birthmarks

In most cases, birthmarks are not dangerous. Many parents, nonetheless, worry about birthmarks for their psychological impact. Nobody wants their beautiful baby subject to teasing.

• Most important is to have the birthmark evaluated to ensure it is not a
  medical concern
• Keep in mind many birthmarks fade on their own
• Options to remove birthmarks, whether for medical or cosmetic reasons, include:
  • Surgery
  • Laser therapy
  • Topical or injected medicines

About Teen Acne

Acne may often be seen as a rite of passage for teenagers. However, the appearance of blemishes can be tough on your teen’s self-esteem. Seeing a dermatologist for a customized treatment plan yields better results for your teen than trying drug-store or infomercial medicines, one after the other.

Some facts to know about acne:

• Acne is most common in teens, though it can affect adults into their 40s
• Hormonal changes as teens mature into adulthood lead to the production of more oil (sebum), which clogs pores
• If your child is embarrassed by his/her acne, there are many effective prescription treatments available

Treatment Options for Teen Acne

Today, there are better prescription acne treatments than ever before. We can design a treatment plan for your teen that does not leave his/her skin irritated and dry.

• Treatment options include:
  • Topical creams and lotions
  • Oral medications
  • Laser and light therapy
  • Chemical peels

About Molluscum and Warts

Both molluscum and warts are caused by viral infections. Some facts you need to know are:

• Children and teens are more prone to warts
• It is easier to catch the virus that causes warts through cuts and scrapes, which explains why so many children get warts
• Molluscum are pink or flesh-colored bumps on the skin that are generally considered harmless, but they are contagious like warts
• Children may catch the virus that causes molluscum through skin-to-skin contact or via a toy touched by someone who was infected

Treatment Options for Molluscum and Warts

Warts can be removed by:

• Topical treatments (cantharidin)
  • Causes a blister to form beneath the wart so that it “dies” and can be clipped away
• Cryotherapy (freezing)
  • Creates a scab that ultimately peels off
• Removal via electrosurgery (burning) or simply excision (cutting)
• Targeted medicines that help the body’s immune system fight the wart virus
  • Administered directly into the wart through a fine needle
  • Children often respond better to these medicines

Every effort is made to choose the treatment that minimizes your child’s discomfort.

About Rashes

Children tend to experience more rashes, from diaper rash to eczema. Some key facts about rashes you need to know:

• Most rashes are harmless and go away on their own
• Some rashes can be painful for your child
• Treatment may help alleviate discomfort and prevent symptoms from worsening
• Rashes accompanied by a fever should be evaluated

Treatment Options for Rashes

Treatment options vary by the cause of your child’s rash:

• Certain diaper rashes are related to yeast infections, which may require an anti-fungal
• Itching from a rash can be relieved with topical creams or oral medicines to help reduce the body’s inflammatory or allergic response