Dermatology
Advanced skin care for the whole you
Individualized treatment for all skin types.
Rooted in Research
UW Medicine supports the only academic dermatology group in the state. That means we deliver expert care grounded in the latest medical research.
Teamwork
Skin health can act as a window into overall wellness. We take a collaborative approach to your care, working across disciplines to develop individualized treatment.
Accessible Expertise
We offer specialized solutions at multiple locations, and via tele-consultation, for simple and complex conditions for convenience you can take comfort in.
Meet the provider: Andrea Kalus, M.D.
Dr. Kalus is a board-certified dermatologist who partners with her patients to achieve the best possible outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling and gardening. View full bio.
Some of our common services:
Acne is a common disorder that occurs when the skin produces too much oil. The resulting clogged glands can lead to pimples and cysts. Our dermatologists are highly trained in assessing and treating all types of acne using a custom approach that fits your lifestyle.
Skin allergies can manifest as contact dermatitis, which leads to symptoms like redness, swelling, blistering and itching. We offer effective, painless patch tests to help diagnose allergies so that you can identify and avoid environmental triggers.
Some autoimmune conditions can affect the skin as well as other parts of the body. Our dermatology care team specializes in these inflammatory conditions. We provide integrated care, working across several areas of medicine to create individualized treatment plans that help slow disease progression and reduce symptoms.
This systemic disease causes your body's immune system to attack its own cells and tissues. It can affect the skin in many ways, including rashes, sores and flare-ups that look like sunburn. We work closely with other specialists to treat, manage and reduce your dermatological symptoms.
This rare disease causes swelling in the blood vessels that supply your skin and muscles, resulting in inflammatory skin rashes. Our specialists have the skill and experience to help you manage this condition and prevent flare-ups using the latest treatments.
Individuals with scleroderma produce too much collagen, which can cause the skin to thicken and harden. This can cause limited mobility and even disfigurement. Our skilled dermatology care team can help manage this disease, reduce symptoms and slow its progression.
This is a localized form of scleroderma that creates painless patches of discolored, sometimes hardened skin, most often on the abdomen, stomach and back. The patches tend to be limited, and most people only have one. We can effectively identify this rare condition and help manage it using advanced approaches.
Autoimmune blistering diseases are a group of rare skin diseases that manifest in painful or itchy blisters on the skin or mucous membranes. Our providers are skilled at diagnosing these disorders and treating them using effective, proven techniques designed to calm symptoms, reduce flare-ups and allow the skin to heal.
Individuals with this autoimmune condition experience the formation of itchy blisters on any part of the body, but more often on the arms, legs, armpits, mouth or genitals. The firm, dome-shaped blisters are usually not painful, but can lead to infection if not treated. The condition generally affects people over the age of 60.
This is the most common type of pemphigus, usually affecting people who are middle age or older. It's characterized by soft, painful blisters that often occur in the mouth. The blisters easily burst, creating raw patches. If left untreated, this condition can lead to severe pain and infection.
This intensely itchy skin disorder creates clusters of small blisters and bumps, mostly on the elbows, lower back, buttocks, knees and back of the head. It's caused by a sensitivity or intolerance to gluten. Certain diseases such as celiac disease and Type 1 diabetes increase your risk of the disorder.
Cutaneous lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in lymph tissue, is characterized by thick lesions on the skin, and can be slow-growing or aggressive. We offer advanced treatment for this disease that includes chemotherapy, other types of medicine, radiation, photodynamic therapy, extracorporeal photopheresis and the opportunity to participate in clinical trials.
This type of cancer begins in white blood cells, which are located throughout the body, including in the blood, spleen, tonsils, bone marrow and skin. Cutaneous t-cell lymphoma is generally a slow-growing cancer but can eventually spread. Symptoms include dry, red, scaly patches on the skin and enlarged lymph nodes.
This is the most common type of cutaneous t-cell lymphoma. It follows a slow, chronic course and often doesn't spread beyond the skin. Symptoms include dry, red, scaly patches and thicker, raised lesions on the skin. It tends to affect areas of skin protected from the sun by clothing.
Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin caused by an external irritant or allergen. Symptoms often include an itchy, sometimes painful rash. Our highly trained dermatologists can expertly evaluate all types of dermatitis and determine the best treatment for your condition.
This is an allergic reaction that occurs when your skin comes in contact with certain substances, such as poison ivy, metals and cosmetics. Symptoms can include redness and swelling, blistering and itching. Our specialists can identify your skin allergies using patch testing and effectively treat uncomfortable symptoms.
This chronic skin disorder creates dry, itchy, scaly patches on the skin. The exact cause of eczema isn't known, but it's linked to asthma and allergies, which are immune hypersensitivity disorders. Our providers are skilled at treating this condition using topical and oral medications, phototherapy and other proven approaches.
This is a chronic inflammation of the lower legs caused by poor circulation. Symptoms can include dark brown, red, or scaly skin, itching, swelling and skin breakdown. Our treatments help reduce the pooling of blood in the veins of the legs, which can ease symptoms and allow the skin to heal.
This is when your skin becomes inflamed after it comes in contact with certain irritants, such as soaps and detergents, fragrances, latex and medicines. Symptoms can include redness and swelling, blistering and itching. Our dermatologists can expertly diagnose this condition and provide effective treatments for mild and severe reactions.
This occurs when an area of skin becomes itchy, often during times of stress. Scratching or rubbing can change the appearance of the itchy patch so that it becomes thickened, leathery, raised or rough. Sometimes an open sore can result, increasing the risk of infection.
This is a red, bumpy rash around the mouth and chin that usually occurs in women between the ages of 20 and 60. The cause is unknown, but could be related to the use of topical steroids in some cases.
This is an inflammation of the upper layers of skin, usually on the scalp. It's characterized by red, itchy skin that sheds scales, and is most common in infancy, middle age and old age. When it occurs in middle age, it's called dandruff.
Different fungi, including yeast, can cause infections on the skin and nails. While these infections aren't typically serious, they can be uncomfortable and difficult to treat at home. Our skilled dermatologists can assess your condition and provide appropriate, targeted care.
Fungal infections of the nails can cause symptoms such as thickening, yellowing, swelling, pain, pus, or separation of the nail from the nail bed. Our specialists can skillfully diagnose this condition and treat it using oral and topical remedies.
Common fungal infections of the skin include athlete's foot, jock itch, scalp and body ringworm along with yeast infections that can occur within skin folds, on the navel, in the vagina, in the mouth (thrush) and on the corners of the mouth. We provide expert care for these sometimes stubborn infections.
Hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors, including aging, hormonal changes, autoimmune diseases and some cancer treatments. Our specialized hair loss clinics are staffed by highly trained dermatologists skilled at evaluating and treating this condition using the latest approaches.
Also called acne inversa, hidradenitis suppurativa causes deep, painful boils or abscesses in your skin that can burst and spread infection through layers of skin. Our specialists can identify this condition and provide expert treatment that includes antibiotics and other medications, as well as education on preventing flare-ups.
Keloid scars are thick, rounded, irregular clusters of scar tissue that grow beyond the edges of a wound. They often appear red or darker in color than the surrounding normal skin. We provide effective nonsurgical and surgical treatment options to help remove keloid scar tissue and prevent it from recurring.
Inform yourself to make the best choices for your health and care with UW Medicine patient education resources.
Support is an important part of your care beyond treatment. Support groups and community resources can help you and your loved ones through your medical journey and recovery.
Your skin gets its color from melanin, a pigment made by special cells in the skin. If these cells become damaged, skin can become much lighter or darker than normal. Our dermatologists specialize in assessing and treating pigment disorders using the latest nonsurgical and surgical approaches.
Thought to be an autoimmune disease, vitiligo causes smooth, white patches on the skin due to the loss of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes). Although there's no cure, we offer a number of treatments than can help, such as light-sensitive medicines, UV light therapy and topical creams.
During pregnancy, some women develop dark-brown to gray-brown patches of pigment on their face. This is thought to be caused by sun exposure, hormones and birth control pills. Avoiding sun exposure can help, but we also offer other remedies such as prescription creams, chemical peels and laser treatment.
One in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer. Annual screenings, recommended for people with a history of skin cancer or other high-risk patients, increase the likelihood that even the most malignant types will be caught, treated and cured.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that creates inflamed, red, raised areas on the skin that often develop into silvery scales. These tend to occur on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back. Our effective, evidence-based therapies are designed to calm inflammation and reduce the severity and frequency of flare-ups.
Types of skin cancer include melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Among these three, melanoma is typically the most serious. Risk factors for skin cancers include aging, sun exposure, family history, being male and being light-skinned. Our team provides preventive skin cancer screenings as well as state-of-the-art cancer treatments such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy for more advanced situations.
This is the most common type of skin cancer. It usually starts in areas of skin exposed to the sun and often appears as small, raised, shiny or pearly bumps. It grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. It's usually treatable when caught early.
The second most common type of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma usually arises in areas of the skin exposed to the sun. It frequently appears as a rough or scaly reddish patch on the skin and can grow quickly but rarely spreads. It is usually curable when caught early.
This is the least common of the three major types of skin cancer, but also the most serious. It can happen anywhere on the skin, may appear as an irregular mole, and is more likely to spread elsewhere in the body. Our Melanoma Center provides state-of-the-art, research-based treatment for malignant melanoma, including gene therapy, lymphatic mapping and the opportunity to participate in clinical trials of the latest therapeutics.
UW Medicine Dermatology offers consultative patient care via electronic consultations for a variety of dermatologic conditions in both adult and pediatric patients. Services include provider-to-provider teleconference including diagnostic and treatment recommendations to primary care providers within UW Medicine. Services outside of UW Medicine are limited to contract arrangements. For information on contract arrangements, please email UW Medicine Telehealth (mailto:telehealth@uw.edu). Patients, ask your primary care provider if a dermatology e-consult is right for you.
Also known as light therapy, this is the prescribed exposure to specific wavelengths of light. There are many types of phototherapy used to treat a number of disorders, including skin disorders and certain skin cancers. UV light therapy uses ultraviolet light to target the immune system and stop the responses that lead to inflammation. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), or photochemotherapy, uses light, a photosensitizing chemical and reactive oxygen to target cancer cells. There are risks and benefits of light therapy. Weigh these risks with your healthcare provider.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment that uses special drugs, called photosensitizers, alongside light to kill abnormal cells in the body. The treatment involves applying the drug directly on the skin, followed by exposure to the light source. The drugs only work after they have been activated or “turned on” by certain kinds of light. PDT is often used to treat actinic keratoses (a precancerous lesion on the skin).
Convenient care, in your neighborhood.
Dermatologic Surgery Center at UW Medical Center - Roosevelt
Medical Specialties
Hours Today
Appointments
Dermatology Clinic at Harborview
Medical Specialty
Hours Today