Dr. Kortney Hightower, MD

Dr. Kortney Hightower, MD is a Dermatologist practicing at his clinic in Tampa, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive dermatological care. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices 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. He serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (813) 972-2000 to schedule.

Dr. Kortney Hightower, MD is a dermatologist in Tampa, FL with over 20 years of experience in the medical field. He brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. Dr. Hightower has extensive experience in Skin Cancer & Excision, and he is affiliated with St. Joseph's Hospital. He earned his medical degree from the University of South Alabama Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine in 2003 and completed his residency training in Dermatology at the University of South Florida in 2007. He is Board Certified in Dermatology and Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery by the American Board of Dermatology. At Hightower Dermatology, patient care is our top priority! Every patient deserves my complete attention and expertise when they come to see me. I enjoy helping people to resolve their dermatologic conditions in the safest, best and most timely manner with a patient-focused approach. Dr. Hightower provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• 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.
• Hypertrophic Scar: Hypertrophic scars, while not cancerous, can impact quality of life; taking care of injuries and seeking early medical attention can minimize their severity.
• Hives: While often temporary, persistent hives warrant medical attention, as this may indicate an underlying health issue and prompt treatment reduces long-term health impacts.
• Herpes Simplex Infection: Managing herpes simplex infection effectively, through medication and lifestyle changes, helps to prevent recurring outbreaks and potential complications to your overall well-being.
• Lichen Simplex Chronicus: Preventing complications from lichen simplex chronicus involves recognizing the itch-scratch cycle and actively managing it to avoid skin thickening and infection.
• Hair Loss: Hair loss can signal underlying health issues, so early detection and addressing the root cause are crucial for preventing further complications and preserving overall well-being.
• 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.
• Keloid Scar: Understanding your risk factors for keloid scars, such as genetics and skin type, can help you prevent them or manage them effectively after a wound.
• Molluscum Contagiosum Infection: Preventing the spread of molluscum contagiosum involves good hygiene practices and avoiding skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals, safeguarding your overall skin health.
• Nail Infection: Regularly checking your nails for signs of infection, such as discoloration, pain, or swelling, allows for prompt treatment and prevents the spread of infection.
• Intertrigo: Intertrigo, a skin rash in skin folds, can be easily prevented with proactive measures like maintaining cleanliness and dryness, minimizing the risk of painful infections and inflammation.
• Psoriasis Vulgaris: Understanding your risk factors for psoriasis vulgaris and taking steps to manage the condition helps prevent its progression and associated health issues.

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. Kortney Hightower 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: This procedure eliminates a benign skin lesion, preventing potential future complications and improving your skin's overall look.
• Excision of Skin Cancer: Taking charge of your skin health, excision helps to completely remove suspicious skin lesions, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
• Destruction of Malignant Skin Lesion: Protecting your health involves removing cancerous skin growths to prevent further damage and improve your quality of life.
• Wart Freezing: Taking proactive steps like wart freezing helps eliminate unsightly warts and reduces the risk of secondary infections.
• Skin Cancer Removal: Taking proactive steps with skin cancer removal ensures early intervention, potentially saving your life and reducing the need for more extensive treatments later.
• Melanoma Screening: Take charge of your skin health: a melanoma screening is a proactive step to identify and address any potential skin cancer concerns.
• Cryosurgery: Cryosurgery is a simple procedure that uses freezing to remove abnormal skin growths, helping prevent the development of more serious skin conditions.
• Excision of Skin Lesion: As part of your regular skin cancer screenings, excision of a skin lesion helps us thoroughly examine suspicious spots to ensure they aren't cancerous and safeguard your long-term health.
• Skin Surgery: As a preventative measure, skin surgery helps eliminate abnormal skin growths that could potentially become cancerous.
• Mohs Surgery: To proactively address skin cancer concerns, Mohs surgery offers a highly effective technique for removing cancerous skin growths with minimal scarring.
• Mole Evaluation: A mole evaluation is a preventative measure that enables early diagnosis of skin cancer, improving your chances of a positive outcome.
• Shaving of Skin Lesion: To help prevent skin cancer, a small shaving of a suspicious area may be taken for microscopic examination and early diagnosis.

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. Kortney Hightower 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 seeking early dermatological care for a wart, a patient prevented its spread and avoided potential secondary infections, maintaining healthy skin.
• By promptly addressing a skin injury and following a dermatologist's recommendations, a patient successfully minimized the development of a hypertrophic scar, improving their comfort and confidence.

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. Kortney Hightower:

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 manage 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. Hightower may recommend more frequent screenings for patients with a personal or family history of skin cancer, or those with many 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 a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+, seeking shade during peak sun hours, and wearing protective clothing are simple habits for lifelong skin health. Avoiding tanning beds also significantly reduces your risk.

What is an actinic keratosis (AK)?

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a pre-cancerous skin growth often caused by long-term sun exposure. They frequently appear as rough, sandpaper-like patches. Treating AKs is important for preventing skin cancer, as a small percentage can develop into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated.

How can I prevent my eczema from flaring up?

Managing eczema proactively is key. Daily moisturizing with a thick, fragrance-free cream, avoiding triggers like harsh soaps, and using prescription medications from Dr. Hightower's office at the first sign of a flare can help prevent worsening.

What is the difference between psoriasis and eczema?

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

What is rosacea and how is it managed?

Rosacea is a common chronic condition that causes 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.

What is a skin biopsy?

A skin biopsy is a simple, quick in-office procedure. Dr. Hightower will numb the area and remove a small sample of skin, which is then sent to a lab for examination. This allows for a definitive diagnosis of the skin lesion.

13000 Bruce B Downs Blvd
Tampa FL 33612
Phone: (813) 972-2000

Dr. Kortney Hightower, 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): 1437181559

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. Kortney Hightower 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.