Dr. Alissa O'Brien, MD

Dr. Alissa O'Brien, MD is a dermatologist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive dermatological care. She practices at her clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Your dermatologist is your primary partner in lifelong skin health, creating personalized prevention plans, coordinating vital screenings for early skin cancer detection, managing skin, hair, and nail conditions, and ensuring your overall wellness for years to come. She serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (561) 694-9493 to schedule.

Dr. Alissa O'Brien, MD is a dermatologist in Palm Beach Gardens, FL with over 15 years of experience in the medical field. With extensive experience in Skin Cancer & Excision, she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. Dr. O'Brien earned her medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 2008 and is Board Certified in Dermatology by the American Board of Dermatology. She is affiliated with Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital and Jupiter Medical Center. Dr. O'Brien is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Alissa O'Brien provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Alissa O'Brien is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Alissa O'Brien can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Alissa O'Brien provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Onychomycosis: Onychomycosis, or fungal nail infection, can be prevented by practicing good foot hygiene and promptly addressing minor nail changes to avoid long-term damage and complications.
• Warts: Managing warts promptly helps prevent their spread to other areas of your body and reduces the risk of secondary infections, promoting your overall skin health.
• Itchy Skin: Regularly checking your skin for itchiness and other changes is an important aspect of preventive dermatological care, helping you identify issues early and receive timely treatment.
• Psoriasis: Understanding your risk factors for psoriasis and seeking medical advice when symptoms appear allows for early intervention, thereby mitigating potential long-term skin damage and discomfort.
• Tinea Versicolor: Tinea versicolor is a common fungal infection that causes discoloration of the skin, and early treatment prevents its spread and persistent cosmetic concerns.
• Contact Dermatitis: By learning about the substances that cause your contact dermatitis and actively avoiding them, you can prevent flare-ups and improve your overall skin health.
• Cellulitis: Catching cellulitis early can help avoid long-term health problems like permanent skin damage or even blood infections, emphasizing the importance of regular self-skin checks.
• Alopecia: While some alopecia is temporary, identifying the cause through early medical evaluation is vital for preventing permanent hair loss or related health issues.
• Shingles: While shingles itself isn't directly related to skin cancer, promptly addressing it prevents secondary skin infections that can delay healing or add further complications.
• Hair Loss: Addressing the underlying causes of hair loss through preventative measures like a balanced diet and stress management helps maintain healthy hair growth over time.
• Hives: Hives, or urticaria, are itchy welts on your skin that can be a sign of an underlying allergy or infection, making early identification key for preventing discomfort and potential complications.
• Lichen Planus: Recognizing the symptoms of lichen planus early is key, as managing this condition prevents discomfort and potential secondary infections or scarring that might occur if left untreated.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Alissa O'Brien offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Destruction of Benign Skin Lesion: By removing a non-cancerous skin lesion, you're taking a step towards preventing any issues that might arise from its presence.
• Destruction of Malignant Skin Lesion: This treatment effectively removes cancerous skin lesions, contributing to a healthier and safer future for you.
• Excision of Benign Skin Lesion: For peace of mind and early detection of any potential skin issues, removal of a benign skin lesion helps us confirm it's non-cancerous.
• Excision of Skin Cancer: As part of your proactive cancer prevention plan, skin cancer excision ensures the complete removal of cancerous cells to reduce recurrence risks.
• Excision of Skin Lesion: To maintain healthy skin and prevent serious issues, an excision of a skin lesion is a simple procedure that removes a suspicious area, helping prevent skin cancer and other concerns.
• Melanoma Screening: Protecting your skin from the dangers of melanoma starts with proactive screenings, helping catch this serious disease in its early stages.
• Mole Evaluation: Protect your skin's health by scheduling mole evaluations; this helps identify potentially cancerous moles before they become a serious threat.
• Shaving of Skin Lesion: Shaving a suspicious skin lesion allows dermatologists to examine the tissue closely for signs of skin cancer, helping ensure early detection and treatment.
• Wart Freezing: Taking proactive steps like wart freezing helps eliminate unsightly warts and reduces the risk of secondary infections.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Dermatologies in Florida.

Dr. Alissa O'Brien is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By diligently addressing minor nail changes and practicing good foot hygiene, a patient successfully prevented the development of onychomycosis, ensuring healthy, strong nails for years to come.
• By addressing warts early with professional guidance, a patient avoided further spread and maintained healthy skin, fostering peace of mind.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Dermatological care with Dr. Alissa O'Brien:

What is a Dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of skin, hair, and nail conditions. They play a vital role in preventing, detecting, and treating skin cancer, as well as managing a wide range of skin diseases.

How often should I get a full-body skin exam?

For average-risk individuals, an annual skin exam is recommended. Dr. O'Brien may recommend more frequent screenings for patients with a personal or family history of skin cancer, or a large number of moles, to aid in early detection.

What is the best way to prevent skin cancer?

Protecting your skin from the sun is key. Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ and seeking shade during peak sun hours are simple habits for lifelong skin health. Wearing protective clothing and avoiding tanning beds also contribute to preventing skin cancer.

What is an actinic keratosis (AK)?

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a pre-cancerous skin growth often caused by sun exposure. They frequently appear as rough, sandpaper-like patches. Treating AKs prevents a small percentage from potentially developing into squamous cell carcinoma.

What is rosacea and how is it managed?

Rosacea is a common chronic skin condition causing facial redness, flushing, and sometimes bumps or pimples. Management focuses on preventing flare-ups by identifying and avoiding personal triggers, and using gentle skincare and, when needed, prescription medications.

My child has a rash. When should we see a dermatologist?

While many childhood rashes are minor, it's important to see a dermatologist if the rash is persistent, spreading, painful, itchy, or accompanied by a fever. Dr. O'Brien can effectively diagnose and treat common pediatric conditions like eczema, molluscum, and warts.

What are the ABCDEs of melanoma?

The ABCDEs of melanoma—Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter greater than a pencil eraser, and Evolving or changing—are a helpful tool for self-monitoring moles. By paying attention to these features, you can become a partner in early detection of skin cancer. Regular skin checks, and noting any changes, are key to early intervention. If you detect any suspicious changes, consult a dermatologist.

How do you treat chronic conditions like psoriasis or eczema?

Dr. O'Brien's approach to chronic conditions like psoriasis or eczema is comprehensive, focusing on preventing flares and improving quality of life. We utilize a range of treatments, including topical therapies like steroids and moisturizers, along with phototherapy and, when necessary, advanced biologic medications that target the underlying inflammation. This personalized strategy is tailored to each patient's specific needs.

600 Village Square Xing
Palm Beach Gardens FL 33410
Phone: (561) 694-9493

Dr. Alissa O'Brien, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1538394960

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Dermatologies like Dr. Alissa O'Brien are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your dermatology about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.