Chronic Skin Conditions

Chronic skin conditions are long-lasting, as the CDC defines “chronic” as lasting at least one year or longer. Most patients with chronic conditions deal with outbreaks, or flares, from time to time. Patients with these chronic skin conditions should regularly visit a dermatologist such as Dr. Chang to diagnose and treat them, which may include at-home care, medication, therapies or lifestyle changes, depending on the condition.

Eczema is a type of dermatitis, or chronic skin condition that causes the skin to become inflamed. It is characterized by itchy, dry and inflamed skin and skin that can look cracked, rough, bumpy and rashy. Though it is common in babies, affecting 20% of infants, most people grow out of it in the early years. However, people of any age can experience eczema, especially those who have a family history of it. 

Eczema can range from mild to severe, and appear all over the body. Those with more severe forms may experience persistent itchy symptoms that make sleep difficult and uncomfortable. It can also flare on and off in some patients, often over the period of several years.

Dr. Chang may diagnose eczema through an allergy test, as well as blood test or biopsy, in order to rule out other conditions. From there, eczema symptoms may be treated with:

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that most commonly causes itchy plaques of thick, scaly skin. Unfortunately, this chronic skin condition is incurable, but the uncomfortable symptoms can be managed through treatment through creams and ointments and more. Psoriasis can appear all over the body, including the face, scalp, elbows, knees and face.

Psoriasis flare ups may be caused by certain triggers such as stress, medications, infections or even changes in weather. If our team diagnoses you with chronic skin conditions like psoriasis, we may recommend managing it through:

Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness, typically on the face around the cheeks, nose and forehead, but it can even affect the eyes. It can look like just a flush, consistent redness, red bumps or contain visible blood vessels. It typically occurs in patients who are 30 or older and more commonly affects women. Though not harmful, patients with rosacea may be frustrated with how it looks when left untreated.

Though rosacea is a lifelong condition that is not curable, our team is committed to helping you manage your symptoms. After diagnosing rosacea through a thorough medical examination and discussing possible triggers, we will create a personalized treatment plan for you. This may include:

Managing chronic skin conditions can be frustrating and even take a toll on your mental health. Our dermatology specialists can help you take control of chronic skin conditions with personalized care and proven treatments. Call (757) 689-8183 or request an appointment online to schedule your consultation with Chang Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center in Virginia Beach, VA today.