Pediatric Dermatology Service Overview

Growing up, especially during the teenage years can be difficult.  Kids tease one another, pimples appear, hormones rage.  As a specialist in Pediatric Dermatology, Dr. Nyanda understands that each child has a different set of needs when it comes to looking their best and feeling good about themselves.

She is expertly trained to focus on many skin conditions prone to babies, toddlers and teens:  diaper rash, birthmarks, skin infections, moles, hives, rashes, eczema, psoriasis, cysts, rashes, acne, and warts.  In addition, she appreciates and is fully aware of the emotional toll these conditions can cause in young people.

With kids of all ages, Dr. Nyanda considers both their medical and their emotional needs.  Each child is different.  Each needs individual care, a safe and comfortable place in which to be examined and treated.  Each needs to feel that “this too shall pass” and whatever skin issues they’re dealing with will be treatable.

Pediatric dermatology disorders vary greatly and can occur at any age. In babies and toddlers, skin conditions may include:

• Baby Acne 
• Eczema
• Cradle Cap which just as the name implies, is typically seen on the scalp
• Erythema Toxicum, a blotchy red rash with small, fluid filled bumps
• Heat Rash
• Diaper Rash
• Jaundice
• Mongolian Spots, benign flat bluish skin marks commonly appearing at the base of the spine or on the back or buttocks
• Newborn Dry Skin.
• Hives
• Warts
• Birthmarks

These conditions may be caused by dermatitis, bacterial infections, viral or fungal infections, or other contact infections. Treatment varies from anti-itch to cortisone creams to pain relievers to antibiotics.  The prescriptions vary depending on the condition and can usually be managed or even cured over a period of time.

In teens and young adults, symptoms can be caused by:

• Adolescent fluctuation of hormones
• Unhealthy snacking
• Fast food consumption
• Drug use
• Allergies—both skin and inhalant 
• Other situational causes 
• Stressful circumstances  

The early teenage years offer the perfect opportunity for parents to start a healthy routine for their kids to have yearly dermatological screenings.  A habit that should continue for a lifetime.

In adults, symptoms can be light or severe, temporary or permanent, painful or painless. Some disorders may have simple causes, like diet, excessive alcohol intake, bacteria trapped in hair follicles, clogged skin pores, allergies, viruses, change in hormone levels in teens and in both middle-aged women and men, genetics, family history, or weakened immune systems.

Some adult symptoms can be more severe like adult eczema, skin infections, pruritus—or severely dry and itchy skin, fungal skin infections, athlete’s foot, or actinic keratosis—also known as precancerous skin lesions.

Some symptoms have more serious underlying causes that may also need to be considered first, like excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, environmental job or living conditions.

Some symptoms naturally come with age.  As we grow older, our skin changes in ways that can make it more prone to disease or infection. Skin becomes less elastic, less oily, and thinner the older we get. It bruises more easily, and it can take a much longer time to heal when cut or scraped.  It also tends to become more dry after years of exposure to the elements.

Just as aging is inevitable, age-related skin changes are inevitable as well. These changes can include thinning of the skin on hands, arms, and legs, sagging facial and neck skin, the appearance of wrinkles, smile lines, crow’s feet, age spots, broken blood vessels and dry skin areas. Unhealthy skin changes, such as skin cancer, are also more common as we age and are usually made worse by daily unprotected exposure to the sun or other extreme elements, especially here in Florida.

While most skin disorders in babies, children, teens, and adults are usually minor and can be easily treated over time, other issues can take longer to solve.  Some of the many skin conditions we treat include:

• Acne 
• Atopic dermatitis or Eczema
• Shingles 
• Hives
• Severe Sunburn

• Contact Dermatitis
• Diaper Rash in babies
• Rosacea
• Cold Sores
• Dandruff
• Cold Sores
• Psoriasis
• And more