Hyperhidrosis / Infectious / Pediatric / PDT

Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating on the hands, feet, armpits, face and genital area, or all over the entire body. The exact cause of this condition is unknown, although it often runs in families and begins during childhood.

Treatments include prescription strength antiperspirants, prescription strength cloths or oral medications to help control sweating or stop the stimulation of the sweat glands.

In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove the nerves that control the sweat glands, or the actual glands themselves. This procedure is usually considered a last resort to be used only after conservative methods have failed. Patients who undergo surgery may develop more intense sweating, a condition known as compensatory sweating, later in life.

Our physicians are skilled in identification and diagnosis of infectious diseases of the skin as well as diagnostic testing and subsequent treatment and eradication of infectious agents.

Pediatric dermatology involves comprehensive diagnosis and treatment services for the unique skin of infants, children and adolescents. While children and adults experience many of the same skin conditions, certain conditions are more prevalent in younger patients and require special care that takes into account the growing needs of these patients. Children are often at risk for fungal and bacterial infections of the skin, as well as a wide array of other acquired and congenital conditions.

Our treatments are gentle yet successful, allowing children to engage in their everyday activities while efficiently managing their skin ailment. Children with healthy skin can also be seen by our doctors for regular examinations to learn about proper skin care, including adequate sun protection. Early examination by a dermatologist can promote a lifetime of healthy skin for our pediatric patients.

Drs. Wasserman and Ulitsky are highly skilled and experienced in treating pediatric skin conditions and strive to provide a comfortable, safe and worry-free experience for both child and parent. We take the time to educate parents about their child’s condition to help ensure proper treatment and home care so children can enjoy clear, healthy skin as they grow.

Some of the most common pediatric skin conditions we treat include; warts, rashes, eczema, birthmarks, and acne.

Photodynamic therapy, or PDT, is a three-step treatment used to treat mild or serious conditions of the skin through the use of a photo-sensitizing medication and a light source to activate it. PDT destroys abnormal cells that cause actinic keratosis, a precancerous condition or to treat certain forms of skin cancer. It may also be used to minimize pores and reduce oil glands in order to treat acne and rosacea, and is sometimes helpful in minimizing the appearance of scar tissue as well.

In addition to destroying cancer cells by forcing their interaction with oxygen, there is evidence that photodynamic therapy is able to damage the blood vessels within tumors and to activate the patient’s immune system to attack malignant cells. Several photodynamic therapy treatments may be required and this variety of therapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments for cancer, such as surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

During a PDT treatment, a topical photo sensitizer called Levulan is either administered by injection or applied topically to the skin and left on for a period lasting from hours to several days. Levulan is made of aminolevulinic acid, or ALA, a natural substance found in the body. After absorption, the Levulan is activated with a wavelength light source targeting the affected tissue. Patients may experience sensations of warmth, tingling, heat or burning during this part of the treatment. After light activation, the treated area is washed and patients can return home, and most return to work within one to two days after the procedure.

Patients may need up to five treatment sessions, depending on the nature and severity of their condition. Sessions are spaced 2 to 5 weeks apart, and can be continued afterwards to help maintain the initial positive results of treatment.

Although PDT is considered a safe treatment option, there are side effects associated with any medical procedure. Some of most common side effects of photodynamic therapy are localized redness, hyperpigmentation, bruising, infection and scarring. These side effects are usually mild and resolve on their own within a few weeks.