Dr. Marina A. Ball MD

Recommended Articles

• Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac: The Rashes

  What is poison ivy? Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is a popular plant known for causing rashes and skin irritation when one comes in contact with it.Poison ivy is a woody shrub or vine that is found in either shady or sunny locations. It can grow up to six feet tall as a shrub, or 150 feet tall...

• What Are the Symptoms and Treatment Options for Scalp Psoriasis?

  Scalp psoriasis is a very common scalp condition characterized by raised, scaly patches on the scalp. This condition is found in approximately 7.5 million people in the country. In most cases, people with this condition may also have symptoms of psoriasis in other parts of the body. The scalp...

• What Is Stratum Corneum: Function and Structure

  The stratum corneum is the outermost epidermal layer of the skin, which consists of dead cells called corneocytes. It is the major barrier of the skin when it comes to chemical transfers. The main purpose of the stratum corneum is to protect the underlying tissues by forming a barrier. The...

• What is Scabies?

  Scabies is a skin disease caused by the infestation of the mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. These organisms are too small to be seen with naked eye. Infestation by this mite is common worldwide. People of all age groups may be affected by this skin condition and is very common in areas that are congested,...

• Is Melanoma Treatable?

  Melanoma is a type of skin cancer associated with excess exposure to UV rays and tanning booths. Melanoma originates from certain cells in the skin called melanocytes, which contains the pigment melanin that influences skin color. If left untreated, melanoma spreads quickly and leads to death....

• How Contagious Are Cold Sores?

  A cold sore is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus or HSV. The type of HSV that causes cold sores is the HSV-1. It is a very common condition that affects people before their twenties. Many Americans are infected by the HSV-1 by the time they are 20 years old. Cold sores can be painful...