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SpecialtiesDoctors 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.
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
Doctor Q&A
49 Answers
125 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 25-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Not typically: Although hairline changes at the ages you describe is not common, it can be due to early male pattern baldness or some other hair disorders. Seeing a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
This is common: The virus is constantly being fought by your immune systems. Ultraviolet light exposure (i.e. sun), stress, and periods can all cause the virus to fla... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
You should wait: These types of infections are commonly spread by contact. Complete your treatment before yourisk spreading it to someone else.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
See an MD: Grandma is suffering and deserves to be evaluated by an expert. There are just too many causes to guess over the Internet. Find a good dermatologist ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Protect from sun: Wrinkles are almost exclusively the result of sun exposure accumulated over years, not age. Smoking also causes skin lines to form. Look at most elder... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Not usually: The usual cause is friction or skin yeast, not fungus. The creams used are commonly labeled "antifungal" because they treat both fungus and yeast. It... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 58-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Yes: With very few exceptions, the generic version is the same as the brand, only cheaper.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
202 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Myth: That is myth. Hair growth is determined by your specific DNA. Shaving has no effect. Teenagers who claim it matters are simply growing up, and their h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
239 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
A benign growth: A mole, also called a nevus, is a benign growth composed of pigment cells.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
231 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Rest is best: The elbow itself has no muscles, and pain there is most commonly the result of irritation or trauma to the tendons and /or ligaments. Those heal slowl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
206 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Have it checked: 3 months is a long time for a lymph node to remain swollen. If it is a lymph node, some other process is underlying, but the chance of another process... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
231 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
ENT: An ear, nose and throat specialist or plastic surgeon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
190 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Yes: While you can do so, some products contain ingredients which can be irritating to sensitive areas, such as genital skin. Allergic reactions can also ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Simple is best: It is difficult to described detailed eczema treatment in this format, but if you are sure it is eczema:
avoid irritants-anything acidic or causti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 50-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
No: If you really have a fungus there, none of the medications you listed will be effective. Obtain a medication indicated for fungus infection and be aw... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
NO: That is a lovely gesture, but currently there is no process to make this feasible for you or your friend. Sorry :(
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
See a specialist: Unfortunately, there is a large number of skin diseases that can cause what you describe, and they cannot be diagnosed without at least seeing them. S... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Get checked: Without the ability to examine the lesion, it is not possible to answer your question with any certainty. Examination by a dermatologist is recommende... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
231 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Maybe: Hives is a generic reaction to many different situations, including cancer. A formal evaluation by a doctor with experience in this area is recommende... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
231 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Very contagious: Scabies is caused by a parasite and is very contagious. Contagious means you can get it, though, and doesnt mean you will. It is dreadfully uncomfort... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
882 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
No: Zinc supplementation should only be used in cases where there is a known deficiency. Zinc can result in low copper levels, a condition you should avoi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
190 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Ignore: The virus is contagious. Keep them covered.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
243 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Hard water=not good: Hard water is known to be a problem. It has been known to make skin problems worse, and recently a good study confirmed that, especially in people wit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Usually fungus: This is usually caused by fungus, although there are other possibilities. An over the counter antifungal cream used for 3-4 weeks should help. If not,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
236 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 57-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
See a podiatrist: While it may be plantar fasciitis, there are other causes. A professional evaluation is your best chance for an accurate diagnosis and treatment recom... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
190 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Yes, it usually goes: Dark pigmentation from Minocycline normally clears but it can take months to years to do so. None of the cases I have seen failed to clear over time, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Irritation/dryness: The most common side effect of Xerac AC is local irritation or dryness. It will clear within a few days with plain vaseline or moisturizer, but will r... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Weeks: Medication for fungus infection works slowly, so use for several weeks is the minimum, and use for several weeks beyond clearing is recommended to pre... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Urea cream: Go to your pharmacy and ask for urea cream 20%. There are several brands but they all work the same. Use it twice a day and be patient for several we... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
See an expert: That is not stress. See a doctor with expertise in skin disease and receive an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
882 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
No: Isotretinoin(Accutane) is a serious medication that requires monitoring by a professional. While sun sensitivity is not common, you should stop takin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
None will help: Female pattern hair loss is not responsive to vitamins. In general, only Minoxidil is of any benefit, and how much hair grows is variable. Read the pa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Probably not: Your description is not characteristic of scabies. Another cause is likely.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Yes: Take your medication as your doctor instructed. A negative test is not a guarantee that the infection is not present.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 57-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
No: Shingles is caused by a virus. Keflex does not work against virus. If you have shingles, you can spread the virus to someone else who has not had chic... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
No: Hepatitis B is a virus, as is hep A and Hep C. The kinds of illnesses they cause are different.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Dont cry :(: Crying is a complex situation in the body that starts in the brain, which in turn sends out chemical and nerve signals that affect many systems. Heart... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
882 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Dermis: The organs that detect pressure, temperature, touch, and pain are all located in the dermis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Yes: The virus can be transmitted by contact even when the area is completely clear. The exact risk is unknown, as there are factors that may affect trans... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Protein conditioner: Most of what is put into conditioners is worthless garbage. Like vitamins, for instance. Hair is dead, and vitamins are only any good for living tiss... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Not a good idea: Dear Michelle,
Facebook is a poor choice as a source for medical advice. Find a local physician with a good reputation and keep your problem private.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
As long as 6 weeks: It can be as long as six weeks before symptoms appear, but a much shorter time is usual. Any time you have contact with someone who harbors the mite,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
They dont: Pulmonary embolism(PE) is the result of a clot in the leg or groin. The fact is that this is a major problem for patients with acute and chronic spina... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
246 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Yes, but...: If your cold sore is from a virus (HSV), the creams available are very weak in terms of how well they work. There are pills available that do an excel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
206 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
No: Vitamin e is all promises when it comes to benefits. It is a common cause of allergic skin reactions.
The gold standard for spider veins involves in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Ignore: Dont skip your medicines when it improves. The key to living with eczema is control of the disease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
243 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
NO: These medications will make an ulcer worse. If you have an ulcer on your skin, see a skin doctor and determine the cause and proper solution.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
No: Warts are caused by a virus. Creams or pills for bacteria or fungus or yeast are of no value.
Warts on the face are not uncommon, and the wrong treat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old member asked:

Dr. Edward Zabawskianswered
Dermatology 28 years experience
Yes: In a variety of studies, small amounts of sperm have been shown to be present in the fluid (the pre-ejaculate) that is in the penis long before ejacul... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
231 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
42
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Zabawski is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Zabawski is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thanks you so much for not making me feel like a hypochondriac. I have developed slight leukopenia and low iron. Getting a 3d opinoin and as current dr says nothing is...Read More
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Will definitely be moving off campus ASAP then!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your quick reply made me feel good!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, OH
Graduated 1995MD
Medical/Graduate school
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
Graduated 1989MD
Residency
Dalls Ft Worth Medical Center
Completed 1999
Awards
Resident of the year, 1998-1999
Texas SuperDoctor, 2004
Founding Knowledge Editor, First Place, New Hampshire - Winter
2016
Affiliations
New England Dermatological Society
American Osteopathic Board Of Dermatology
American Osteopathic Association
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