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Dr. Emily Altman

Dermatology
Berkeley Heights, NJ
30 years experience female

Locations

Summit Medical Group

Berkeley Heights, NJ

Address

1 Diamond Hill Road, Berkeley Heights, NJ
Directions

Summit Medical Group

Short Hills, NJ

About

Bio

Summit Medical Group dermatologist,<strong> Emily M. Altman, MD, FAAD</strong>, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist. Dr. Altman’s expertise includes state-of-the-art medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatological procedures and techniques. She is affiliated with Saint Barnabas Medical Center and Overlook Medical Center. Before joining <strong> Summit Medical Group </strong>, Dr. Altman practiced privately with Comprehensive Dermatology and Laser Center. She is former Chief of Dermatology at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Dr. Altman earned her MD at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School. After graduating, she completed her residency in dermatology at Columbia University School of Medicine and she completed her fellowship in dermatopathology at New York University School of Medicine. Emily M. Altman, MD, FAAD, has expertise in state-of-the-art medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatological procedures and techniques. In her spare time, Dr. Altman enjoys gardening and growing beautiful flowers.

Specialties
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.

Dermatology

Languages spoken

English, Russian

Doctor Q&A

613 Answers
337 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Causes of acne: Acne has a number of different causes: 1. Genetics-if acne is common in your family, you have a higher chance of having it 2. Hormones, primarily a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Melanoma: Things to do about melanoma: 1. Prevention: avoid sun exposure between 10am & 4pm. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. 2. Detection: get to know you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Moles and cancer: Moles & melanoma, one form of skin cancer, come from same cells in skin, melanocytes, that make a pigment (melanin) that gives skin its tan/brown pigm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Immunization scars: Immunizations given in the us generally do not leave scars unless there is an allergic reaction or infection. Some vaccines given overseas or that us... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Bumps on face: Because kids play with other kids that may have infections like molluscum contagiosum or warts, a pink or skin-colored non-painful bump on a healthy c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Feminine wipes: Many feminine wipes contain ingredients such as fragrances or preservatives that can irritate delicate tissues in the vulvar area and can cause a cont... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Excess hair treatmt: Excess hair growth can be treated with laser hair reduction although due to excess androgens, it is somewhat more difficult to treat and may require m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Hyaluronic fillers: Restylane (dermal fillers) and juvederm are fillers made with hyaluronic acid, a substance that occurs naturally in our skin, whose purpose is primari... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Expired minocycline: Minocycline belongs to a class of antibiotics called tetracyclines. Expired tetracycline class antibiotics have to be discarded because they can becom... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
HPV and cancer: There are many different types of hpv. Some of them are high risk for cancer and some are low risk. If a person has hpv, viral typing can be done to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A member asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Mucosal rash: This is inflammation of the mucous membranes that hugs underside of epidermis=lichenoid. Perivasculitis=inflammation around blood vessels. In mouth, c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
See your OB/GYN: This needs an exam and possible cultures. Bacterial vaginosis can have milky discharge as can other conditions. Also could be normal. However if this ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
PCOS treatment: Please see your doctor as there are medications and dietary modifications you can use to improve pcos. Start by cutting out high glycemic index carbs ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Itchy rash : Many possibilities for itchy rashes: eczema, allergic reaction to foods or medications, hives, viral rash, scabies, and many others. Please see your ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Scrubs and skin: Products you mention are most famous for their apricot scrubs. These scrubs are too strong for sensitive skin and can cause irritation, dryness and re... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Please see your Dr.: Numbness and tingling are usually symptoms of something going on with nervous system. That needs to be evaluated as soon as possible.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Bleach baths eczema: Eczema/atopic dermatitis can often be lessened in severity by soaking x 10 min a day in baths of warm water, oatmeal bath powder like aveeno and 1/4 c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Hyperhidrosis: Yes, the definition of hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating when the temperature is not hot and a person is not exercising. Hyperhidrosis can be genera... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 65-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Boils: Boils on scalp and underarms could be caused by acne, hidradenitis, bacterial infections and a number of other causes. Please have this evaluated by ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Missed periods: There are many causes of missed periods. Pregnancy is most common, but also breast feeding, hormonal problems such as pcos and thyroid problems, cert... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Check for glucose: You need to be checked for how your body processes sugar (glucose). The brain depends on glucose for food. If it doesn't have enough, it sends signals... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Easy bruising: Please see your doctor as soon as possible. Bruising can be from trauma or from taking medications that thin the blood like aspirin, nsaids (ibuprofe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 59-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Psoriasis: Psoriasis can be sore, especially if there is a superimposed bacterial infection. Please see your dermatologist. You may need a bacterial culture done... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
New moles: Any new mole, particularly one that is dark and has irregular borders needs to be shown to a dermatologist as soon as possible to rule out melanoma.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 16-year-old male asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
No: Masturbation does not lead to skin darkening or acne breakouts. Acne breakouts often do happen with increased hormones during puberty. So this is coin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Blisters: A burn blister is usually one blister and a fever blister (herpes simplex virus infection or reactivation) is usually multiple blisters grouped togeth... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Acne medications: Both differin & benzac are acne medications. Differin is a retinoid, relative of vitamin a. Its generic name is adapalene. Benzac ac is a benzoyl pero... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Talk to a therapist: You need a diagnosis as to why you are pulling hair in the first place. Then a good therapist/psychiatrist will design a treatment plan with or witho... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A male asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Blister on knee: Three common conditions that can produce itchy blisters are poison ivy (although unusual to have in one spot only), a bug bite and impetigo, a bacteri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Oily T-zone skin: Moisturizers are not needed for oily skin. They will make skin more oily and prone to breakouts by blocking pores.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Facial cleansers: There are soap-free cleansers that won't dry facial skin, such as purpose cleanser, cetaphil bar, aveeno (oatmeal) ultra calming cleanser. How you wa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Psoriasis/pregnancy: Impetigo herpetiformis is the name for pustular psoriasis that occurs during pregnancy. It's not known why this rash occurs. There is one report of as... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 59-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
See a dermatologist: Or an oral surgeon. Most commonly these are either oral fibromas or mucoceles, both lesions that result from trauma, such as biting. Mucoceles are jus... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Acne treatments: For minor acne, a benzoyl peroxide wash is often helpful. For inflamed cysts and nodules, one would need both oral and topical medications. Modifying... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Baby w/MRSA & eczema: People with eczema often have increased numbers of staph on their skin. Staph worsen eczema by releasing their antigens onto skin which causes more in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Complicated: There are both immune-mediated and neoplastic conditions, such as waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia and others, that can cause similar pictures. Please ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Vit B deficiency: Some people may not be able to absorb vitamins, like for example vitamin B12 and may need injections instead of taking pills. Or they may not be gett... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Treating cold sores: To shorten the duration of a cold sore, antiviral medications need to be taken as soon as symptoms (itch, sensitivity, pain) start, even before the br... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Bumps in throat: Healthy tonsils look like two pink to orange bumps on either side of the back of the throat. Inflamed tonsils are red and may have pustules, particul... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Skin & lymph nodes: Yes, a skin infection can cause swelling in a lymph node nearby. When infection happens on the skin, certain immune system cells go from the skin to ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Most likely fungal: This is what the beginning of fungal skin infection (athlete's foot) looks like. Sometimes it may look like just some dryness or scaling, and other ti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Possibly vascular: Small dilated blood vessels can look like spiders and are actually called spider angiomas. If there are many spider angiomas, a person would need to b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Itching with no rash: The list of conditions that could cause itch without rash is long, like thyroid problems, liver or kidney disease, even malignancies among others. Ne... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Yes, it can: Several months is enough time for a skin cancer to develop. That being said, there are also benign pink spots on the skin that can develop in a few mo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
No, they do not: Dysplastic nevi are considered a marker for melanoma risk but not a precursor lesion. Most melanomas arise on normal skin, not in a mole. Sometimes mo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Pore size on face: Pore size is genetically determined. There aren't very good methods for minimizing them. Retinoid creams like retin a, (tretinoin) tazorac help refine... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Please see Dr. ASAP: Weepy painful blisters are infection until proven otherwise, possibly a herpes infection. In an immunosuppressed individual herpes infections can be v... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Lupus biopsy: Biopsy of lupus has a number of features that lead to diagnosis: a thickened basement membrane, vacuolar alteration of basal keratinocytes and superfi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old male asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Scaly leg skin: Scaly leg skin is often due to dryness, which can be caused by harsh soaps, hot water, chronic sun exposure or genetic condition with fish-like scales... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Emily Altman
Dermatology 30 years experience
Bed bugs: Spread of bedbugs depends on their human hosts for movement from one location to another. Bedbugs move by way of furniture, clothing, suitcases, used ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Testimonials
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.

7
Recommendations
851
Thank you notes
May 11, 2013
I enjoy reading her posts as they always educational but also very supportive to patients.
May 11, 2013
I highly recommend any patients on Healthtap to follow her posts as she is excellent
Apr 14, 2013
Her opinions are accurate and timely. Very helpful.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Is there a way of dealing with this cyst at home. I can't afford to go to a dermatologist ? Thankyou for responding to my previous question.
HealthTap member
This saved my life. Thank You! I'm diagnois with hytimoto thyroids 6/18/2013 so that's the cause of my hair loss how can I regrow it back....should I go back to dermatolog
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I have to go abroad to be treated for this. Here in norway i have only got 14 days with Doxy for the lyme. They wont give me more medication

Education & Training

Medical/Graduate school

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - New Jersey Medical School, NJ
Graduated 1993MD

Residency

NYU HOSPITALS CENTER

Residency

NorthwesterN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Residency

New York-PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL

Awards

New Jersey Magazine Top Doctor
RealSelf Top Doctor
Alpha Omega Alpha

Affiliations

American Academy of Dermatology
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
American Society of Dermatopathology

Publications

Paraneoplastic vasculitis: T-cell lymphocytic vasculitis in a patient with recurrent B-cell lymphoma (abstract)
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