Dr. Howard Harris, MD

Dr. Howard Harris, MD is a Dermatology specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive dermatological care. He practices at his clinic in Naples, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As your dermatologist, he 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. He serves all ages, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (239) 596-1848 to schedule.

Dr. Howard Harris, MD is a dermatologist in Naples, FL, with over 30 years of experience in the medical field. His extensive experience in Skin Cancer & Excision, combined with a commitment to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creates a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He earned his medical degree from the University of Florida in 1991 and is Board Certified in Dermatology by the American Board of Dermatology, and Board Certified in Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery by the American Board of Dermatology. With this wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, Dr. Harris and his team are committed to helping you maintain the health and beauty of your skin, hair, and nails. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Howard Harris provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Howard Harris 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. Howard Harris 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. Howard Harris 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:

• 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.
• Lymphangioma: Regular skin checks and early identification of lymphangioma can help prevent potential complications such as cosmetic concerns or nerve compression.
• Psoriasis Vulgaris: Understanding your risk factors for psoriasis vulgaris and taking steps to manage the condition helps prevent its progression and associated health issues.
• Lichen Simplex Chronicus: Lichen simplex chronicus is a chronic skin condition best managed by breaking the itch-scratch cycle to avoid persistent skin damage and improve your quality of life.
• Lichen Planus: While lichen planus isn't directly linked to skin cancer, effective management is crucial for preventing further skin damage and associated discomfort, enhancing your overall well-being.
• Warts: While often harmless, warts can be unsightly and sometimes painful; prompt attention can prevent complications and improve your quality of life.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Skin: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can be managed effectively through prompt treatment if caught early, preventing more invasive procedures and potential complications down the line.
• Contact Dermatitis: Early detection of contact dermatitis is key to preventing chronic skin irritation and potential secondary infections; recognizing symptoms early allows for timely intervention.
• Pemphigoid: Pemphigoid is a blistering skin condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin; managing it effectively helps prevent extensive skin damage and scarring.
• Hypertrophic Scar: Managing a hypertrophic scar is crucial for preventing pain, itching, and restricted movement, ensuring long-term skin health and well-being.
• Keloid Scar: Proper wound care after injuries, like surgeries or piercings, can significantly reduce your chances of developing a keloid scar, thus improving long-term skin health.
• Vitiligo: While vitiligo itself isn't harmful, managing it involves protecting your skin from sun exposure to prevent further complications and maintain overall skin health.

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. Howard Harris offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Acne Surgery: Taking a proactive step with acne surgery can address persistent acne that doesn't respond to other treatments, preventing further skin damage.
• Destruction of Benign Skin Lesion: Removing a harmless skin growth proactively helps maintain the health and appearance of your skin.
• 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: Taking proactive steps towards skin health, a benign skin lesion excision ensures its harmless nature and prevents unnecessary worry.
• Excision of Skin Cancer: For early detection and effective treatment, excision is a vital step in managing skin cancer and safeguarding your overall well-being.
• 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: Early detection is key in fighting melanoma. Melanoma screenings provide peace of mind and facilitate early intervention if needed.
• Mohs Surgery: As a key step in early skin cancer detection and treatment, Mohs surgery ensures the complete removal of cancerous cells, significantly reducing the risk of recurrence.
• Mole Evaluation: Early detection saves lives: mole evaluations provide a crucial opportunity to find and treat skin cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages.
• Shaving of Skin Lesion: For accurate diagnosis and management of skin conditions, your dermatologist may take a small shaving of the affected area to determine its nature and guide the appropriate treatment plan.
• Skin Tag Removal: Removing a skin tag can be a proactive step towards maintaining healthy skin and ensuring early detection of any underlying skin concerns.
• Wart Freezing: Wart freezing, or cryotherapy, is a simple procedure that can effectively remove warts and prevent their spread.

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. Howard Harris 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 understanding the triggers and receiving guidance on preventative measures, a patient experienced significantly reduced instances of hives, leading to a more comfortable and predictable daily life.
• By scheduling regular skin checks and promptly addressing any unusual skin growths, a family proactively managed the potential risk of lymphangioma, gaining peace of mind and confidence in their well-being.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He 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. Howard Harris:

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 and treating skin cancer, and 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 as a vital preventive measure. However, for patients with a personal or family history of skin cancer, or with many moles, Dr. Howard Harris may recommend more frequent screenings for early detection.

What is the best way to prevent skin cancer?

Protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays is key to preventing skin cancer. Simple habits like daily broad-spectrum sunscreen use (SPF 30+), seeking shade during peak sun hours, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding tanning beds can significantly reduce your risk. These are simple steps for lifelong skin health.

What are the ABCDEs of melanoma?

The ABCDEs of melanoma—Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving or changing—are a valuable tool for self-monitoring moles. By recognizing these features, you can be an active participant in early skin cancer detection. Regular skin checks and prompt reporting of any suspicious changes are key to successful treatment. Dr. Harris and his team are here to help you.

Can you treat warts?

Yes, warts are common skin infections caused by a virus. While some resolve on their own, Dr. Howard Harris can treat persistent warts with effective in-office procedures like cryotherapy to prevent them from spreading or becoming painful.

What is the difference between psoriasis and eczema?

Psoriasis, an autoimmune condition, often presents as thick, red, scaly plaques. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is frequently linked to allergies and typically appears as dry, intensely itchy, red patches. A dermatologist can accurately diagnose and recommend the best treatment.

What is an actinic keratosis (AK)?

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are precancerous skin growths that often appear as rough, sandpaper-like patches, caused by long-term sun exposure. Treating them is a crucial step in preventing skin cancer, as a small percentage can develop into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated.

What is a skin biopsy?

A skin biopsy is a simple, quick in-office procedure. Dr. Howard Harris will numb the area and remove a small skin sample. The sample is sent to a lab for examination, leading to a definitive diagnosis.

5415 Park Central Ct
Naples FL 34109
Phone: (239) 596-1848

Dr. Howard Harris, 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): 1801909841

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. Howard Harris 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.