AUBURN - For more than 10 years, Dr. Jeffery LaDuca has been serving the dermatological needs of the Auburn and surrounding communities.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
Dr. Jeffrey LaDuca, of Reflections Dermatology and Psoriasis Center in Auburn and Skaneateles, speaks to a group on “Psoriasis: A New World of Treatment Options” as a part of Auburn Memorial Hospital's Medically Speaking Lecture Series held last week.
Dr. Jeffrey LaDuca, of Reflections Dermatology and Psoriasis Center in Auburn and Skaneateles, speaks to a group on “Psoriasis: A New World of Treatment Options” as a part of Auburn Memorial Hospital's Medically Speaking Lecture Series held last week.
LaDuca, who completed his M.D. in 1998 at SUNY Health and Science Center in Syracuse, first began his practice in Auburn, creating Finger Lakes Dermatology.
And after being in practice in Auburn, LaDuca decided it was time to open a second location with Reflections, medical and cosmetic dermatology, which he opened in Skaneateles three years ago.
LaDuca said that he has been fortunate to find a career path that has been so rewarding, allowing him to treat a wide range of dermatology needs, ranging from medical issues like skin cancer to cosmetic needs and concerns.
“We deal with a little bit of everything,” LaDuca said. “We're here to make people feel better, that is our goal and what this is all about.”
Recently, LaDuca parted ways with his partner in Finger Lakes Dermatology and set out on his own in Auburn.
LaDuca purchased the site at 144 Standart Ave. that had once been home of a pizza parlor, completely renovated the entire building and created Reflections Dermatology and Psoriasis Center.
While LaDuca said that in his new facilities he is still dealing with the same kinds of treatments and procedures he always has, the new site has allowed him to expand the scope of his practice with a new focus on psoriasis.
LaDuca said that while psoriasis is something he has always dealt with to some extent, in recent years there have been many advancements in the treatment and care of psoriasis that have inspired him to create a place to truly deal with this skin condition.
“The old treatments were good at best,” LaDuca said. “And they had quite a few side effects. Just in the past five years there have been so many new treatments and new medications with fewer side effects and that have proven to be much more effective than anything we had even several years ago.”
Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disorder that affects the skin and joints, often manifesting red scaly patches that can be found anywhere on the body and can also cause joint pain and stiffness.
LaDuca said that presently a clear cut cause has not been found for psoriasis, but a great deal is known about its impact on those who have it.
Psoriasis can manifest many other physical and psychological impairments that go beyond the skin.
LaDuca said sufferers can manifest psoriatic arthritis as well as symptoms of depression as well as a general feeling of discomfort about their appearance.
But with treatment, LaDuca has found that much of this can be changed and those with psoriasis can lead normal healthy lives.
“I was treating one patient in his 70s,” LaDuca said. “This was in the summer. He said that after treatments he was able to wear shorts for the first time in 30 years.”
LaDuca said that treatments can include things like oral medications that had previously been used to treat other conditions, but have been found effective with psoriasis, as well as photo therapy, where the skin is exposed to specially designed light, similar to a tanning booth, but geared towards alleviating the effects of psoriasis.
LaDuca said that it is this kind of breakthrough that is important to take notice of.
Psoriasis is much more than just a rash, LaDuca said that its effects impact many aspects of people's lives.
“People with psoriasis lead very different lives,” LaDuca said. “It can cause embarrassment; people don't want to shake hands with people that have it, it can be a very isolating condition to have.”
But LaDuca emphasized that there are many misconceptions about the condition, first and foremost that it is not contagious and cannot be spread to others through contact like shaking hands.
Since opening his new office, LaDuca has made it one of his top priorities to help educate the general public about psoriasis as well as reach out to those with the condition to help them lead fuller lives.
Last week on Nov. 11, LaDuca spoke at Auburn Memorial Hospital's Medically Speaking Lecture Series, hoping to reach both the general and medical community.
“My goal is to raise awareness,” LaDuca said. “I'm here to educate people about psoriasis and to help those that have it feel better about themselves. My job is really to try to make people feel happy and with these new treatments and medications that is what I hope to do.”
To contact the Reflections Dermatology and Psoriasis Center in Auburn, call 255-1100.
And after being in practice in Auburn, LaDuca decided it was time to open a second location with Reflections, medical and cosmetic dermatology, which he opened in Skaneateles three years ago.
LaDuca said that he has been fortunate to find a career path that has been so rewarding, allowing him to treat a wide range of dermatology needs, ranging from medical issues like skin cancer to cosmetic needs and concerns.
“We deal with a little bit of everything,” LaDuca said. “We're here to make people feel better, that is our goal and what this is all about.”
Recently, LaDuca parted ways with his partner in Finger Lakes Dermatology and set out on his own in Auburn.
LaDuca purchased the site at 144 Standart Ave. that had once been home of a pizza parlor, completely renovated the entire building and created Reflections Dermatology and Psoriasis Center.
While LaDuca said that in his new facilities he is still dealing with the same kinds of treatments and procedures he always has, the new site has allowed him to expand the scope of his practice with a new focus on psoriasis.
LaDuca said that while psoriasis is something he has always dealt with to some extent, in recent years there have been many advancements in the treatment and care of psoriasis that have inspired him to create a place to truly deal with this skin condition.
“The old treatments were good at best,” LaDuca said. “And they had quite a few side effects. Just in the past five years there have been so many new treatments and new medications with fewer side effects and that have proven to be much more effective than anything we had even several years ago.”
Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disorder that affects the skin and joints, often manifesting red scaly patches that can be found anywhere on the body and can also cause joint pain and stiffness.
LaDuca said that presently a clear cut cause has not been found for psoriasis, but a great deal is known about its impact on those who have it.
Psoriasis can manifest many other physical and psychological impairments that go beyond the skin.
LaDuca said sufferers can manifest psoriatic arthritis as well as symptoms of depression as well as a general feeling of discomfort about their appearance.
But with treatment, LaDuca has found that much of this can be changed and those with psoriasis can lead normal healthy lives.
“I was treating one patient in his 70s,” LaDuca said. “This was in the summer. He said that after treatments he was able to wear shorts for the first time in 30 years.”
LaDuca said that treatments can include things like oral medications that had previously been used to treat other conditions, but have been found effective with psoriasis, as well as photo therapy, where the skin is exposed to specially designed light, similar to a tanning booth, but geared towards alleviating the effects of psoriasis.
LaDuca said that it is this kind of breakthrough that is important to take notice of.
Psoriasis is much more than just a rash, LaDuca said that its effects impact many aspects of people's lives.
“People with psoriasis lead very different lives,” LaDuca said. “It can cause embarrassment; people don't want to shake hands with people that have it, it can be a very isolating condition to have.”
But LaDuca emphasized that there are many misconceptions about the condition, first and foremost that it is not contagious and cannot be spread to others through contact like shaking hands.
Since opening his new office, LaDuca has made it one of his top priorities to help educate the general public about psoriasis as well as reach out to those with the condition to help them lead fuller lives.
Last week on Nov. 11, LaDuca spoke at Auburn Memorial Hospital's Medically Speaking Lecture Series, hoping to reach both the general and medical community.
“My goal is to raise awareness,” LaDuca said. “I'm here to educate people about psoriasis and to help those that have it feel better about themselves. My job is really to try to make people feel happy and with these new treatments and medications that is what I hope to do.”
To contact the Reflections Dermatology and Psoriasis Center in Auburn, call 255-1100.
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purplerose wrote on Nov 19, 2008 8:50 PM:
interesting wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:51 AM: