Behind the Scenes - Dermatology

The skin is the largest organ of the body. It serves as a barrier against injury and bacteria, regulates temperature, and reflects the body’s overall health. Issues with the skin may cause feelings of low self-worth, make it challenging to engage in everyday activities, and possibly be life-threatening. The board-certified dermatologists of Licking Memorial Dermatology focus on diagnosing and treating conditions related to the skin, including its structure, functions, and diseases, so that patients can fully enjoy life.

Licking Memorial Dermatologists Thomas Hagele, M.D., M.B.A., Laurie Schaeffer, D.O., and Bethany Wyles, D.O., care for patients of all ages and provide a wide range of services to treat skin issues, such as acne, eczema, hair loss, psoriasis, rosacea, warts, and rashes. Treatment ranges from medications to surgery, such as simple excisions to remove abnormal moles and skin cancer, and includes office-based and hospital care. Additionally, Licking Memorial Dermatology concentrates heavily on preventing and caring for skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer. Currently, it is estimated that one in five Americans will develop the disease in their lifetime. There are three major types of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two most common skin cancers and, for most, are not life-threatening. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer; however, when detected early, it is highly treatable. Licking Memorial dermatologists recommend and provide skin cancer screenings to those at risk or who have noticed concerning changes to their skin. The screening consists of a visual exam of the skin to look for signs of cancer. During the exam, the healthcare provider checks for moles, or other spots that may appear unusual in color, size, shape, or texture. If skin cancer is suspected, a biopsy will be conducted to determine whether cancer is present and the provider will develop a treatment plan, if necessary.

Treatment for skin cancer varies depending on the size, depth, location, and type of cancer. Surgery is often required to remove the cancerous cells. To remove the cancer, Licking Memorial dermatologists may perform:

• A simple excision where the cancer cells are removed from the skin
• Electrodesiccation and curettage (ED&C) where the top portion of cancerous cells are scraped off and then heat sealed with an electrical device

Dr. Hagele also performs a procedure called Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS). A specialized and highly effective technique, MMS involves progressively removing and examining thin layers of the cancer-containing skin until only cancer-free tissue remains. The methodical process allows Dr. Hagele to remove the cancer while doing minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The surgery also offers increased tumor clearance which corresponds to a lower risk of recurrence. MMS is an outpatient procedure using only a local anesthetic. Patients who have undergone the procedure at Dr. Hagele’s office have reported high satisfaction with the results. The patients were pleased with how clearly the procedure was explained to them and the care taken to ensure their comfort not only during the procedure, but also while they waited for results.

Patient comfort is a top priority of Licking Memorial Dermatology staff, who put forth extra effort to create a welcoming environment and assist patients beyond the scope of normal care, such as helping them to and from vehicles and making extra calls to make sure they attend follow-up visits.

“We have been treating many of our patients for more than 20 years,” said Dr. Wyles. “They are our friends and family, and we take the time to make certain all their needs are met.” Part of meeting the needs of patients is providing adequate education about how to care for their skin. Along with information about basic skin care, such as how to properly clean and moisturize, they also instruct patients on how to identify the signs of skin disease.  For instance, patients at risk for cancer are taught how to perform self exams at home, which includes the ABCDEs of melanoma. During the self exam, patients should check moles and other skin growths for asymmetry, irregular borders, varied color, a diameter greater than 6 millimeters, and if the spot has evolved or is changing. If the patient observes any of these characteristics, they should seek care from a dermatologist. Other recommendations to care for skin include using sunblock with an SPF of at least 30 and limiting exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps.

In addition to treating skin diseases, Licking Memorial Dermatologists also offer a variety of minimally invasive cosmetic services to rejuvenate an individual’s facial appearance, such as BOTOX® and dermal fillers. Both treatments are used to smooth lines and minimize the appearance of wrinkles on the face. “We strive to not only provide services that are required to care for illnesses, but also services that our patients desire,” said Dr. Schaeffer.

Dermatology is a high-demand specialty that provides treatment to over 3,000 conditions that affect the skin. Licking Memorial Dermatology endeavors to provide quality care, ranging from cosmetic to life-saving procedures, to as many patients as possible. Currently, services are provided at three convenient locations throughout Licking County, including Newark, Pataskala, and Heath. However, as a high-demand specialty, seeing patients in a short time frame can be challenging. If a patient has a spot that is concerning or has been referred by another physician for immediate care, Dr. Hagele’s office will try to schedule an exam within 24 to 48 hours; however, for less life-threatening conditions, appointments may not be as immediately scheduled. In response to the high demand within the community, Dr. Hagele is changing his office hours beginning the week of September 5 to better suit patient needs. His new hours will be 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon on Friday. For more information about Licking Memorial Dermatology, visit LMHealth.org.

| Posted On : 8/17/2022 4:08:23 PM