Psoriasis Atopic Dermatitis Eczema Memphis Dermatologist

by George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (01/09/2023)

Some of the more common problems faced by Memphis Dermatologists like myself in the winter months are Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema), often itchy and aggravating skin conditions. The good news is that Psoriasis Treatment has become better and better at relieving symptoms. Let's take a look at these conditions.

The student in the photo below has pretty active and itchy Atopic Dermatitis on his back.

First, dry, cracked and/or fissured hands skin conditions can be genetic – a type of “Atopic Dermatitis,” or Eczema, meaning that the condition runs in certain families, along with Asthma, Hay Fever, or Food Allergies.

Second, many cases of “Eczema” are actually Contact Dermatitis, triggered by contact with a chemical that is either irritating to the skin, or causing a true allergy, such as a preservative, fragrance, dye, a metal, or even a latex component. Such a culprit chemical can be revealed by what’s called Allergy Patch Testing. As a member of the American Contact Dermatitis Society, in my own Dermatology practice in Memphis, TN, I have been doing Extended Skin Allergy Patch Testing since 2004, uncovering many chemical causes of Hand Eczema breakouts, whereupon the patient can better avoid these triggers.

Hand rashes or breakouts can also be triggered by Psoriasis, a skin condition that can be managed with a prescription steroid cream or ointment – such as Clobetasol, or Betamethasone - or else a steroid-free Ointment or Cream, such as Eucrisa® (crisaborole) or Opzelura® Cream.

So if you or a family member is suffering from itching, dryness, or rough areas of the hands, consider seeing a Dermatologist. There are over 13,000 Dermatologists in the United States. My own Memphis Dermatology practice for the past 30 years has been with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova, TN 38018 (1-901-753-0168). Or you can find a Dermatologist in your own neighborhood by going to the American Academy of Dermatology’s website, AAD.org, then plugging your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab.

in 2016, I became the President of a company called Big River Silk Skincare Inc. (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com). We manufacture and distribute steroid-free creams – called GlycoShea Hand&Body Cream/Standard Strength and GlycoShea Hand&Body Cream/High Strength – which both reduce dryness and roughness on the hands (and feet) and also remove rough areas due to their Glycolic Acid, an organic and natural chemical originally discovered in sugarcane (1 oz of GlycoShea Hand&Body Cream/Standard Strength: $19.95/2 oz: $29.95; 8 oz: $89.95; 1 oz of GlycoShea Hand&Body Cream/High Strength: $29.95/2 oz; $44.95/8 oz: $134.95).

For people with especially sensitive skin, we also manufacture and distribute acid-free HypoShea Moisturizer Cream (1 oz: $12.95/2 oz: $18.95/8 oz: $39.95).

The moral of the story is “never itch in silence,” as there is much new therapy to help with the itching and dryness of what may have been called Hand Eczema. Consider getting evaluated by a Board-certified Dermatologist today.

George Woodbury Jr. M.D. , Dermatologist with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates PC, 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018. 1-901-753-0168 Info@rheumderm.com.

01/09/2023