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Welcome to Elk
Grove Dermatology! The practice offers state-of-the art dermatology
in a very friendly setting. This has been accomplished
by our exceptional staff and ongoing commitment to research,
training and patient convenience. Dr. Polisky is board certified
in dermatology and internal medicine.
The doctor is
a microbiologist (Univ. of Illinois). This training is very helpful
in structuring safe antibiotic and antibiotic free approaches
to treating complexion disorders. The doctor attends worthwhile,
scientific meetings such as the American Academy of Dermatological
Surgery. An early proponent of office based laser therapy, Dr.
Polisky has obtained the latest generation of co 2 laser.
"These new lasers emit a softer and more diffuse beam giving
better results and faster healing times."
Dr. Polisky has
refined the use of glycolic products for the skin including
the development of an innovative light skin peel. Newer methods
of detecting and correcting varicose veins
are underway using office doppler (sound waves) and non-irritating
treatment solutions. Unique simple approaches have been
developed to improve acne scarring and skin
contour problems (scar micro-excision, silk touch laser) as well.
Believing that
medical care is as much art as it is science, Dr. Polisky has
accepted invitations to train with national leaders in dermatology.
This has allowed him to gain an inside look at the most advanced
procedures from those who helped develop them. Recently,
he studied with Dr. Gerald Bernstein, a Professor at the University of
Washington and founding instructor at The Scripps Clinic
Skin Surgery Course.
The
virtual visit-Derm in cyberspace
www.dermatologist-polisky.com
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Dr.
Robert Polisky
Internist & Dermatologist
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Staff
Anniversaries
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| Nancy-Manager |
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| Pat, LPN |
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| Mary,
Reception |
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| Mary Jane,
Rec. |
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| Anita,
RN |
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Congratulations!
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Special
points of interest
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New innovations
in |
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skin rejuvenation. |
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Practice
web site |
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offers
wealth of info. |
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Protecting
yourself |
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from sun-an
update |
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Keeping
up with Dr. |
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P |
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It happened
last |
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summer-a
Dr. P day off |
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We are pleased
to announce the development of a practice web site. The site
covers an in depth look at the field of dermatology through
the focused lens of our office. We present our practice philosophy
and give you, the web surfer a look at in office pharmaceuticals,
skin rejuvenation and the use of light to therapeutically improve
skin problems. We go over sun protection , take you through
a mole removal and an advanced skin peel. Along the way you
will be clicking on and meeting some of our incredible staff.We
end off with some valuable links to the cream ( a dozen or so)of
the 1000's of derm related web sites.
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compliments about our staff:
We are fortunate
to receive compliments about our staff on a very regular basis.
We frequently hear that our staff took a personal interest in
getting a patient a prompt appointment, explaining a difficult
problem or going to extra lengths to reasonably iron out even
the most difficult problem.
The staff is
seasoned. Nancy(office manager) and Pat (psoriasis nurse
exceed 10 years of service. Our retired derm nurses and
receptionists are an active alumni ! They fill in from
time to time but they also attend office Get-together such
as the upcoming
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Quiz: |
| Q.Which
3 staffon page 1 were patients prior to coming to work with
us? |
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total 28 years of service. |
| A.
Nancy, office manager,
Mary Jane receptionist Anita, RN. |
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brunch and house
tour at Cuneo Gardens in Libertyville.The staff meets with me
regularly and we map out new areas of practice development such
as our skin rejuvenation program, our skin cancer awareness
project. During these times we share ideas on continual
improvements and fine tuning of the office.
The staff attends
seminars most recently on the skin rejuvenation program(obagi)
and a seminar on laser applications by Dr. Polisky, I know you
will enjoy working with our talented and friendly staff.
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Good Reading
Makes Things Clear for Our Patients
Like a librarian
we would like to recommend some very interesting literature
for you. Amy Tamul Physician Assistant at EGD has co produced
a beautiful patient brochure on vein therapy. This booklet
prepared with Dr. Polisky details the treatments we use to treat
unwanted spider vein and small varicose leg veins. Please ask
to read one of our office copies. It will help you understand
our doppler exam and fill you in on the latest information about
this very easy and well accepted procedure.
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We can also suggest
the new peels brochure. This fills you in on superficial
skin peels. Written in plain English with an absence
of medicalese you will learn about the brief in office peels
that can improve, fine wrinkling and minor skin problems.
A third must
read for parents is" What to know about warts."
Now in its fifth printing this classic will explode many myths
about pesky skin warts.
Finally, the world of severe as well as stubborn acne can be
brightened by reading "What I tell my patients about Accutane."
This frank account of a sometimes misunderstood drug is written
in a clear style that helps prospective patients and their families
quickly grasp the amazingly effective treatment.
Please see any nurse or staff--they will direct you to these
"classics".
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Looking Younger-Avoiding
the looking Older
Blues
Looking older
can be associated with a constellation of skin changes: wrinkling,
fine lines, skin discoloration, and an enlarging of facial pores
among other problems. Although some materials weather
beautifully, this is not usually the case with the skin.
One excellent rejuvenation technique performed by Dr. Polisky
is the use of a medium level skin peel (Obagi Blue Peel).
Using
a pretreatment program with Retin-a followed by a peel
session using modified neutralized TCA, patients are able to
greatly improve the vitality of their skin. A blue application
allows Dr. Polisky to evenly apply the peel. This blue
color washes off by bedtime.
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Blue
color gone by night. ask staff to see video!
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Sophisticated
Dermatologic Care offered in a Friendly Setting
Dr. Polisky
learned the newest treatments for skin cancer (micrographic
methods) as well as the use of Gore Tex implants for filling
skin defects and Botox for forehead wrinkle management.
Dr. Polisky also had the opportunity to spend time in the clinic
of Dr. Zein Obagi(La Jolla, California) developer of the Obagi
peel. During this time, he developed an appreciation of
the application of controlled skin peeling in correcting
facial discoloration (melasma) as well as premature
skin aging from sun or genetic causes.
Medicine and
medical developments are occurring at an ever increasing pace.
We hope to keep pace with these changes by continued education
and training.
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Robert
B. Polisky,
M.D.Certified
Dermatologist
checking a
microscopic slide of
his patient
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Dr. Polisky
has been active (see "Keeping Up with Dr. P") in teaching
residents, lecturing to dermatology residents(next up University
of Chicago) and in providing interviews for magazines such as Prevention.
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Making Skin
Surgery -- Much Less Uncomfortable
We have found that using a cream,
EMLA, at home 2 hours prior to your skin procedure renders it
virtually painless!!
This is quite a remarkable finding. "I don't think the
medical community is aware how valuable this is in reducing
discomfort. "It has made office removal of everything from
moles to warts all the easier."
Basically, it is a formulation of lidocaine in
a suspension. By placing this on the treatment site and covering
it with a saran wrap like patch the skin becomes anesthetic
(numbed). And this is the key in doing superficial skin procedures.
Emla is the name of the cream and it is available by prescription
and at Elk Grove Dermatology pharmacy (Karen,director).
I hope you will ask about EMLA--
it makes a big difference.
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KEEPING UP
WITH Dr. Polisky
Summer:
Featured
in Pioneer Press, Adult Acne Conducted Skin Cancer Screening,
United Airlines under the auspices of the American Academy of
Dermatology.
Delivered
lecture to Northwestern Material Science Engineer: The Skin as a
material.
Fall:
Attended the International Conference of Leg vein and spider
vein therapy(phlebology).
Winter:
Attended Chicago
Dermatological Society--Skin Disease Under the Microscope, Presented
3 unusual cases at tumor board Alexian Brother s Hospital .
Interviewed by Prevention Magazine on Melanoma and The
Chicago Tribune on warts in children.
Spring:
Trained with Dr. Gerald
Bernstein in Seattle covering many new methods for rejuvenation
of skin(see "Moving Forward in Dermatology"
P 1).
Planned Upcoming presentation
at the Chicago Derm Society./U of Chicago lecture.
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Going
on Vacation -- Beware of too much sun!
When you are golfing in Orlando,
wintering in Texas or skiing in Colorado you are a target for
sun damage. The sun's effects include more than just the
development of skin cancer. Skin aging in the form of
yellowing, discoloration (melasma) and wrinkling are just a
few of the undesired effects of too much sun exposure.
Remember this acronym-TIP.
Timing -avoid the sun during the hour of 10-2 when the sun's
rays are strongest.
Invest-In a sunscreen like Ombrelle, Presun, Elta and many other
with spf of 15 on up; put it on 30 min before going outdoor
and reapply it frequently.
Protect yourself and your family with sun protective clothing
-- Solumbra has provided us with samples of their tightly woven
yet lightweight clothing. These clothing and hats
are on display in our office.
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Dr. Polisky
meets patient who followed advice to a tee -- a day off with Dr.
Polisky
Last summer
on an unplanned day off, I bumped into one of my patients who
had been diagnosed with melanoma. We will call him Dan.
Arriving at Mt. Prospect Golf Course without reservations, I
placed myself at the mercy of the starter. "Get dressed
you have 15 minutes" he barked. Hustling onto the
tee with only limited time to do my putting ritual, I recognized
Dan as part of the foursome I had been assigned to play with.
Dan, who immediately recognized me despite my floppy hat
and sunglasses, was himself covered with sun blocker, a 3'
wide brimmed hat and long sleeves. Dan realized that his years
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Covering
up is par for the course
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of
sun had contributed to the development of melanoma and
he
commented
that he has become a regular in applying sun protection. It
was a great
pleasure seeing a patient taking appropriate precautions,
I hope that if I ever meet up with you, that you will be doing
the same.
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Ask the doctor--patients want to know --Will
I miss work?
Vein Therapy-You will not miss any work but you may be wearing
a light dressing or support hosiery.
Superficial Skin Peel--no
time off needed.
Blue Peel
(Medium depth,Obagi)-You may want to
be out of the public eye for a few days. Our staff who have
been peeled, worked through the sunburn like peeling.
Warts (plantar) You may want to be off your feet a day or two
depending on how extensive and where they are located on the
foot.
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Ask the Expert
New treatments for psoriasis,
Remedies for ringworm
Sept. 10 -- In this week's
Q&A column, Dr. Robert Polisky, a spokesperson for the American
Academy of Dermatology, answers reader questions on psoriasis
and ringworm. Have a health question that you would like
to have answered? Send it to us at Health&MSNBC.com
or post it on our BBS.
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Dr.
Robert Polisky
Internist and Dermatologist
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| Q:
I heard there is a new treatment for psoriasis. What
can you tell me about it? |
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A: Actually,
there are a couple of new prescription treatments, one topical
and one oral. Both are geared toward more stubborn cases
of this skin disorder, so they're not for everybody.
The first drug is a once-a-day topical treatment called Tazorac
that can be very effective when used alone or in combination
with other drugs. But because about 20 percent of patients
experience itching, burning or redness, Tazorac is not recommended
for the groin or face. It's also not suggested for women
who may become pregnant because of potential risks to a developing
fetus.
A second drug is an oral medication known as Neoral, which is
actually a reformulation of the existing drug Cyclosporin.
Psoriasis is believed to be an immune-related condition, and
Neoral is thought to help by modulating the immune-system response.
Because of potential side effects, though, patients should be
carefully monitored by their doctor.
Mild cases of psoriasis -- which is characterized by
pinkish plaques on the skin that have a silvery scale -- are
usually treated with tar preparations, anthralins and topical
corticosteroids. If these medications aren't effective,
a doctor may recommend ultraviolet light treatments, which are
believed to interfere with the process that produces the plaques.
Both Tazorac and Neoral would be considered after these other
therapies had been tried.
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What exactly is ringworm and what is the best way to cure it? |
A:
Ringworm is the lay term for a rather common fungal infection
known as Tinea corporis, in which a circular rash with a central
clearing develops on the body. The condition is mildly contagious
and is often seen in high-school wrestlers. Heat and humidity
promote infection.
As for treatment, I recommend that the majority of otherwise healthy
people first try one of the over-the-counter remedies, such as
Lotrimin AF or Micatin creams, before seeking professional help.
But keep in mind that a ring-like rash may not always signal ringworm;
a person could have eczema, psoriasis or Lyme disease.
If the rash doesn't start to clear up fairly soon with one of
these treatments, or if you have a compromised immune system because
of certain diseases or drug treatments like chemotherapy, consult
a doctor. Stronger prescription medications may be needed.
These include Lamisil, both in pill and cream form, as well as
the creams Oxistat, Spectazole and Exelderm. People with
ringworm of the scalp are usually best served with a prescription
antifungal liquid plus an oral drug.
Ringworm on the skin should clear up within a couple of weeks,
but it may take longer if the infection involves the scalp and
nails.
Dr. Polisky is director of Elk Grove Dermatology in Elk Grove
Village, IL. and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology,
based in Schaumburg,Ill.
This column
is not intended as a substitute for regular professional health
care.
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Phone:
847 593 -6222
Email: elkderm1@aol.com
Please no junk e mail.
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