Frequently asked questions

Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some point in their lives. It causes spots to develop on the skin, usually on the face, back and chest. ​ The spots can range from surface blackheads and whiteheads – which are often mild – to deep, inflamed, pus-filled pustules and cysts, which can be severe and long-lasting and lead to scarring. ​ At LivingCare we can treat both mild/moderate acne and severe acne. ​ Roaccutane treatment can also be considered for severe acne.



Warts

Warts are small lumps that often develop on the skin of the hands and feet. ​ They vary in appearance and may develop singly or in clusters. Some are more likely to affect particular areas of the body. For example, verrucas are warts that usually develop on the soles of the feet. They are non-cancerous, but can resemble certain cancers. ​ Most people will have warts at some point in their life. They tend to affect children and teenagers more than adults. ​ At LivingCare we can offer a Cryotherapy service for warts and verrucas. This involves liquid nitrogen being applied to your wart for a few seconds to freeze and destroy the affected skin cells. After treatment, a sore blister will form, followed by a scab, which will fall off 7-10 days later. ​ A session of cryotherapy usually takes 5-15 minutes and can be painful. Large warts usually need to be frozen a few times before they clear up. You will probably need to wait a few weeks between each treatment.



Eczema

Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked. It is a long-term (chronic) condition in most people, although it can improve over time, especially in children. Atopic eczema can affect any part of the body, but the most common areas to be affected are:

  • Backs or fronts of the knees
  • Outside or inside of the elbows
  • Around the neck
  • Hands
  • Cheeks
  • Scalp
​ LivingCare can treat both discoid eczema and mild/moderate childhood atopic eczema.



Alopecia

Alopecia is the general medical term for hair loss. There are many types of hair loss with different symptoms and causes. At LivingCare we can see patients who suffer from Alopecia Areata and Androgenic Alopecia; ​ Alopecia areata causes patches of baldness about the size of a large coin. They usually appear on the scalp but can occur anywhere on the body. It can occur at any age, but mostly affects teenagers and young adults. ​ In most cases of alopecia areata, hair will grow back in a few months. At first, hair may grow back fine and white, but over time it should thicken and regain its normal colour. Some people go on to develop a more severe form of hair loss, such as:

  • Alopecia totalis (no scalp hair)
  • Alopecia universalis (no hair on the scalp and body)​
Alopecia areata is caused by a problem with the immune system (the body's natural defence against infection and illness). It's more common among people with other autoimmune conditions, such as anoveractive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes or Down's syndrome. ​ Androgenetic alopecia is a common form of hair loss in both men and women. In men, this condition is also known as male-pattern baldness. Hair is lost in a well-defined pattern, beginning above both temples. Over time, the hairline recedes to form a characteristic "M" shape. Hair also thins at the crown (near the top of the head), often progressing to partial or complete baldness. The pattern of hair loss in women differs from male-pattern baldness. In women, the hair becomes thinner all over the head, and the hairline does not recede. Androgenetic alopecia in women rarely leads to total baldness.



Moles, cysts and skin tags

Moles, skin tags and cysts are skin growths that are usually completely harmless but can look unsightly. They can become troublesome if they catch on clothing or you cut them while shaving. Many people choose to have them removed privately because it is seen as a cosmetic procedure. We can remove these through our Minor Surgery service. Sometimes, moles can be cancerous (Usually visible in the form of a new mole, an existing mole or mark that has changed in appearance. It is often found on the neck, shoulders and hips in men and on the legs, hips and shoulders in women - but can occur in any area of your body). This is why our consultant Dermatologist will always see patients with moles before booking to have them removed via our Minor Surgery service.



Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that tends to flare up from time to time. It causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin. Treatment with various creams or ointments can often clear or reduce patches of psoriasis. Affected patches are usually found around the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back but can appear anywhere on your body.