There are many treatments available for patients with psoriasis.  One option that we offer our patients with psoriasis affecting a significant portion of their skin is phototherapy. 

What Is Phototherapy?

Present in natural sunlight, UVB light is an effective treatment for psoriasis. The UV energy penetrates the skin and helps the psoriasis to clear.

In our Plainview office, we offer narrow band ultraviolet light treatments. Narrow band phototherapy releases a smaller range of ultraviolet light to the skin.  This treatment may be safer,  help to clear psoriasis faster and produces longer remissions than broad-band UVB. It also may be effective with fewer treatments per week than broad-band UVB.

Light treatments are often combined with other topical and/or systemic agents to enhance efficacy.  These combinations can both increase efficacy and may allow for lower doses of the systemic medication to be used.

More information on phototherapy can be found here.

Hats are one of the best ways to protect your face from ultraviolet radiation.  They are reliable, cost effective and fun to wear!  Sometimes a good hat is hard to find – so we wanted to make it easy.  No excuses!  We have several styles and colors to choose from.  Available in Baby, Child, Youth, and Adult sizes.

All children’s hats are $25, and all adult hats are $40.

At the end of the season, we will be donating a proportion of sales to the Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign

We look forward to supporting the Senator Charles Fuschillo, Jr and the Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign (CCMAC) by volunteering to help in their free skin cancer screening.  No appointments are required.  The screening will take place from noon to 3:30pm on July 21 at Tanner Park.  If you would like more information, please call (516) 882-0630.

Memorial Day weekend has arrived, and many of you will be venturing to the beach.  You already know to bring the basics – hat, umbrella, sunscreen, sun protective clothing, a sun protective shelter, and to try to avoid the peak ours of UV radiation intensity (10am-4pm).  But did you remember to bring the Baby Powder (See all Baby Powders).  Why you ask?

There is nothing more frustrating than the difficulty in getting sand off your skin when you are ready to go home.  It can both make a mess, and cause friction and blisters on the skin.  One of the best ways to remove it is to use a nice baby powder after drying off.  Once you give it a try – you will never want to go to the beach again without it.  I guarantee it!

Have a great summer – and remember to be sun smart!

Mohs surgery is done in our office using a local anesthetic. During Mohs surgery, a thin layer of tissue is removed and examined for cancer.  Dr. Jeffrey Ellis repeats the process as many times as necessary until the cancer cells are gone.

Multiple lesions can be done in one surgical session. Reconstruction (if needed) is routinely performed the same day, usually by Dr. Jeffrey Ellis or Dr. Rachel Ellis who specializes in Oculoplastic and Facial Reconstruciton.  When necessary reconstruction can also be coordinated with the help of other surgical specialists.

Click Here for our Mohs Surgery Animation

Now that spring is near, it is a great time to go out and clean up the yard.  Spring and Fall are also the most common times we see lots of patients suffering with poison ivy.  If you are going to work in an area with suspected poison ivy, there are some simple steps you can take to avoid the rash.

1. BEFORE going to the area with suspected poison ivy, apply a product called Ivy Block.  This product is very effective at neutralizing the chemical that is responsible for poison ivy/oak.
2. Be sure to keep all exposed areas covered.  Tuck pants into socks.  Wear gloves.  Etc.  After returning, be sure to change all clothing, and wash skin well with soap and water.
3. If you do get poison ivy, please call us right away.  Many times we can abort a severe attack if treated promptly.  We will always do our very best to see you as soon as possible.

Here are some myths that you may find useful about poison ivy.

Myth #1: Scratching poison ivy blisters will spread the rash.

Fact: The rash is caused by the urushiol oil found in poison ivy, oak and sumac and is not spread by the fluid in the blisters. If you have the urushiol oil on your hands and you scratch your nose or wipe your forehead, you may spread the oil and hence the rash. Avoid excessive scratching and make sure your fingernails and hands are clean.

Myth #2: Poison ivy rash is “contagious.”

Fact: The rash is a reaction to urushiol oil found in poison ivy, oak and sumac. The rash cannot pass from person to person, but urushiol can be spread by contact.

Myth #3: Once allergic, always allergic to poison ivy.

Fact: A person’s sensitivity to urushiol changes over time, and even from season to season. People who were sensitive to poison ivy as children may not be allergic as adults and vice versa.

Myth #4: I’ve been in contact with poison ivy before and I’m not allergic to it.

Fact: If a person has come in contact with poison ivy once and did not get a rash, it does not mean that he or she will always be immune. The first time a person is exposed to poison ivy he or she cannot get a rash. The first contact, which can occur without a person ever knowing, may create a hypersensitivity to the urushiol oil without causing a rash.

Myth #5: Dead poison ivy plants are no longer toxic.

Fact: Urushiol oil stays active on any surface, including dead plants, for up to five years or longer.

Myth #6: You can catch poison ivy rash by being near the plants.

Fact: Direct contact with urushiol oil is needed. However, it is important to stay away from forest fires, direct burning or anything that causes the oil to become airborne such as a lawnmower or weed whacker.

Myth #7: Keeping covered outdoors will prevent poison ivy rash.

Fact: While keeping covered in the outdoors is crucial, it is not a foolproof way to protect your skin against developing a poison ivy rash. Urushiol oil can stick to clothes, shoes, garden tools and sporting equipment that you touch, and inadvertently spread to uncovered parts of your body.

Myth #8: You have to touch a poison ivy, oak or sumac plant to get a rash.

Fact: The most common way people contract an allergic rash from these plants is by touching an item that has urushiol oil on it, including garden tools, camping equipment, boots and even pet fur. Since urushiol can stay active for years, it’s important to wash any item that has come in contact with poison oak, ivy or sumac with soap and water, or use a cleaner such as IvyCleanse.

Myth #9: “Leaves of three, leave them be.”

Fact: This is true for poison ivy, but not poison oak and poison sumac. Although poison ivy has 3 leaves per cluster, poison oak has 3 to 5 leaves, and poison sumac has 7 to 13 leaves on a branch.

Myth #10: Besides complete avoidance, there’s no way to prevent poison ivy rash.

Fact: When applied to the skin before contact, IvyBlock is the only FDA-approved lotion that can prevent the rashes caused by poison ivy, oak and sumac.

We are proud to announce that Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School has joined our Skin Cancer Awareness Honor Roll.  Jennifer Gewant, Community Service Representative for the Student’s Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) club, has started raising awareness about skin cancer prevention and money for skin cancer research.  She is helping to distribute our ‘Sun Smart Skin Safe’ bracelets, and will also be writing an article discussing sun safety for her school paper.  Bracelets are being sold for $3 each, or 4 for $10.  100% of the money raised will be donated to the Melanoma Research Foundation. Below is some literature that Jennifer is distributing to her classmates to help give them the knowledge to make smart decisions about sun safety.

We work hard to create a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere in the office, and one of the ways we do it is through careful selection of music that we think you will enjoy while you visit.  Many patients ask for information about our music selection, so we wanted to share with you  “Belaray Dermatology Radio” via Pandora so you can listen to our favorite tunes whenever you feel so inspired.

We hope you enjoy!

Dr. Jeffrey Ellis, Dermatologist in Plainview Long Island discusses scars and treatment options in Newsday Article, February 8, 2011.

Scars form in different ways and develop from different causes.  Acne, burns, surgery, trauma or even tattoos and body piercings can result in scars.  Some scars are depressed (ie:  acne scars) while others are raised (ie: keloids).  There are many options available for our patients with scarring, and we offer some unique and specialized techniques to help improve your scar.  For example, we find micro needling to be a cost effective and helpful treatment option for depressed acne scars.  For keloids on the ears, we utilize radio- surgery to meticulously remove scar tissue.  More information about that procedure can be found here.

If you have a scar, or think you are developing one please schedule an appointment with us so that we can help you to heal in the best way possible.

What Is Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)?
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of cancer, with about a million new cases estimated in the U.S. each year. It is rarely a life threatening. Basal cell carcinomas are malignant growths that arise in the deepest layer of the epithelium.  Basal cell carcinoma typically affects people of fair complexion with a history of prolonged sun exposure, or repeated episodes of sunburn. The tendency to develop basal cell carcinoma may be inherited. They are usually grow slowly.

Basal cell carcinoma can usually be diagnosed with a simple biopsy and is fairly easy to treat when detected early. However, when not recognized and treated quickly, they can be difficult to eliminate. Fortunately, however, this is a cancer that has an extremely low rate of metastasis, and it is not usually life threatening.

How is Basal Cell Carcinoma treated?

Many treatment options exist for Basal Cell Cancer, and your doctor will help you choose the best option for your particular cancer and situation.  Treatments options include curettage, electrodessication, cryosurgery, surgical excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, radiation, as well as topical treatments (ie: Aldara cream).

What is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is a precise and meticulous technique that allows your doctor to surgically remove your skin cancer while preserving as much healthy surrounding tissue as possible.  The procedure is comfortable, convenient, cost effective, and covered by most insurances.

What are the benefits of Mohs Surgery?

• Tissue sparing-least amount of normal tissue taken
• Highest cure rate of any technique
  for Basal Cell or Squamous Cell Carcinomas
• Lesions completely removed-in only one visit
• Excellent cosmetic results
• Less anxiety-no need for re-excision

To help make the visit as pleasant as possible, we provide music, reading material, drinks, and snacks to make your stay as comfortable as possible.