Itching

Itch (pruritus) can range from a minor nuisance to an irritation so intense it interrupts sleep. The itch can be a symptom of a rash or lesion, or an itch can actually cause a rash from repeated scratching. Don't let your itch drive you crazy. Book your appointment today at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, and our team of skilled providers take care of you. Call the nearest Richmond-area office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

What causes Itch?

There are many potential underlying causes of itch. Your provider will do a thorough visual exam of the skin that is itching and ask you many questions about your health, your daily routine and potential exposures, and the itch itself. Itch can be localized to a certain site, or be experienced throughout the body; it can be better or worse at certain times of day or with certain medications and topicals. Depending on your answers, further workup may be needed, or it may be as simple as dry skin- the leading cause of itch.

Some common causes of itch are:

  • Eczema and dry skin
  • Fungal or yeast infections
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Scabies
  • Bug bites
  • Underlying neurologic problems

What are the signs and symptoms of Itch?

Itch can be just that, an itch. Or it can burn and be painful. Sometimes itch is associated with a rash like eczema in which case the skin is dry and scaling, or itchy and red lumps and bumps as with a bug bite. Other forms of eczema, like dyshidrotic eczema on the hands and feet, have classic small blisters that are very itchy. Itch can also be from an underlying disorder that, when scratched repeatedly, leads to a rash called lichen simplex chronicus or scarring in the setting of neurodermatitis.

How is Itch treated?

Depending on the underlying cause of itch, it can be as simple as improved skin care and mental tricks to stop scratching. Using a gentle and fragrance-free moisturizer twice daily can go a long way toward improving itch. But if this is not enough, topical anti-inflammatory creams or ointments may be needed. These topicals, along with oral antihistamines, can be used to break the itch-scratch-itch cycle. Some itches naturally go away like those of bug bites, but if the bug is a mite like scabies, prescriptions are needed to get rid of them. Neurologic itches can be the most difficult to treat as the problem is not with the skin, but rather in the underlying nerves. Inflammation of the nerves can lead to an itch that then results in a rash.

Don't suffer from itch. Let the experts at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center help sort out your itch! Call the nearest office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

How can we help

Services

Service Offered: Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and can be dangerous if it's left untreated. Routine skin cancer screenings with one of our expert team members at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center located in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, ensure early detection and treatment to prevent complications. Call our office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Mohs Surgery
Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is a very safe and effective outpatient surgical procedure for removing certain types of skin cancer. This technique focuses on the complete removal of the skin cancer with a cure rate as high as 98-99% depending on the cancer type, size, and location. Our Mohs surgeons, William Gillen and Shields Callahan, MD at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center are fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons located in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. Using a microscope to examine the margins, they can be very precise in determining when the cancer has been removed, thus preserving normal surrounding tissues and allowing the smallest possible surgical wound.

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Service Offered: Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common skin cancer typically on sun-exposed skin that can arise from the pre-cancers, actinic keratoses. Seeking treatment early for any unusual, painful, or non-healing site can prevent serious complications associated with skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, Patricia O’Connor, MD, and their team diagnose and treat squamous cell carcinoma by removing skin lesions with surgical techniques, including Mohs surgery, or other more conservative procedures, if appropriate. Call the nearest Richmond-area office today, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, and Patricia O’Connor, MD, offer treatment for this type of cancer that usually appears as a bump or pinkish patch of skin. If you suspect you have basal cell carcinoma or any form of skin cancer, contact the office right away to set up an appointment. Call either Richmond-area office to speak with a team member or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Melanoma
Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that kills thousands of people each year. William Gillen, MD, Patricia O'Connor, MD, and the team of professionals at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, are committed to finding and diagnosing melanoma at its earliest stages which is crucial for treatment. In these early stages, treatment can be done in our office. When necessary, our skilled providers are experienced in developing interdisciplinary treatment plans. Above all, they are dedicated to educating their patients on skin cancer prevention. Schedule your skin cancer screening today by calling the nearest Richmond-area office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Skin Disorders
Skin Disorders

Skin disorders can look unsightly, be embarrassing, or in some cases, indicate skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, Patricia O’Connor, MD, and their experienced team treat lumps, bumps, and rashes in patients of all ages. Call either Richmond-area office to schedule an appointment or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Injectables
Injectables

If you want to rejuvenate your appearance by minimizing facial wrinkles and fine lines, then injectables may be right for you. Patricia O'Connor, MD, and Eliza Hester PA-C at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center provide high-quality injectables and customized plans for their patients in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. Schedule an injectables consultation today by calling either Richmond-area office, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Psoriasis
Psoriasis

Roughly 7.4 million people in the United States are bothered by psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin, joints, and less commonly the cardiovascular system. If you have psoriasis, schedule a visit with a member of our general dermatology team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. A group of well-versed providers in the variety of treatment options available for psoriasis and will develop a plan to help you find relief from your condition. Booking an appointment is easy. Simply call the nearest Richmond-area office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Eczema
Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that causes reddened and scaling skin and uncomfortable itching. Occasionally, this broken skin can become infected leading to pain and oozing. Our team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, can help you manage eczematous conditions so you can live as normal and healthy of a life as possible and prevent the flares and infections associated with a broken skin barrier. Call either of the Richmond-area offices today to schedule your appointment and get relief from symptoms or, send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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