Dr. Merrick Elias, DO

Dr. Merrick Elias, DO is a Dermatology specializing in proactive, comprehensive care at his clinic in Pembroke Pines, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458, he is dedicated to empowering patients with personalized prevention plans. 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. Call (954) 961-5322 to schedule.

As a Board Certified Dermatologist at Elias Dermatology, LLC, with locations in Fort Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines, Florida, Dr. Elias serves Broward County and surrounding areas. He brings over 20 years of dedicated experience in Dermatological care, a wealth of clinical knowledge, and compassionate care to his patients and their families. His rigorous training includes a medical degree from Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College Of Osteopathic Medicine (2001), an internship at Palmetto General Hospital (2002), and a residency in Dermatology at Broward General Medical Center (2007), further specializing through a fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (2004). He is Board Certified in Dermatology by the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology. Dr. Merrick Elias DO FAAD is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University's College of Osteopathic Medicine and is fluent in Spanish and offers consultations in Tagalog. His diverse interests encompass all facets of adult and pediatric medical dermatology.

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

• Hand and Foot Hyperhidrosis: Hand and foot hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, may not seem serious, but proactive management prevents potential skin breakdown and infections, ensuring long-term skin health.
• Rash: A rash, appearing as a change in your skin's texture or color, can sometimes signal an underlying health issue, so early identification and treatment are key to preventing complications.
• 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.
• Pemphigus: Managing pemphigus effectively through medication and lifestyle changes helps to minimize the severity of its symptoms and prevent long-term skin damage.
• Contact Dermatitis: Contact dermatitis is an allergic skin reaction that can be prevented by identifying and avoiding irritants or allergens, protecting your skin from harmful substances, and seeking early treatment to minimize long-term skin damage.
• Lichen Simplex Chronicus: Lichen simplex chronicus is a skin condition where scratching leads to thickened, itchy skin patches, and early recognition helps prevent long-term skin damage.
• Warts: Preventing the spread of warts is key to maintaining healthy skin, regular self-exams can help with early detection and reduce transmission to others.
• Bullous Pemphigoid: Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune condition causing painful blisters, and regular check-ups and adherence to your treatment plan can help control symptoms, prevent secondary infections, and improve your skin's health.
• Allergic Reaction: An allergic reaction to a skincare product or environmental irritant can be prevented by identifying and avoiding triggers, promoting healthy skin barriers, and seeking prompt treatment to minimize inflammation and prevent complications.
• Bowenoid Papulosis: Bowenoid papulosis is a rare skin condition that can sometimes develop into skin cancer, highlighting the importance of regular skin checks and early detection.
• Sunburn: Proper sun protection, including seeking shade and using sunscreen, is essential to prevent sunburn and its associated risks, including increased susceptibility to skin cancer.
• Scabies: Scabies is a highly contagious skin infestation caused by tiny mites, and early detection and treatment prevent intense itching and potential secondary skin infections.

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

• Excision of Benign Skin Lesion: Taking proactive steps towards skin health, a benign skin lesion excision ensures its harmless nature and prevents unnecessary worry.
• Thread Lift: While not a direct skin cancer screening tool, a thread lift can address age-related skin changes, helping you maintain healthier-looking skin and making it easier to monitor for any concerning developments.
• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): Take a proactive step towards skin health with photodynamic therapy (PDT), a procedure that uses light to treat certain skin conditions and potentially prevent skin cancer.
• Photorejuvenation: Photorejuvenation uses light therapy to improve skin texture and tone, helping to prevent premature aging and address sun damage.
• Destruction of Benign Skin Lesion: This is a simple way to address a benign skin growth, ensuring that it doesn't develop into something more problematic down the road.
• LED Light Treatment for Skin Damage: As part of your preventative skincare routine, consider LED light therapy to help stimulate collagen production and potentially improve skin tone and clarity.
• 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.
• Destruction of Malignant Skin Lesion: This treatment effectively removes cancerous skin lesions, contributing to a healthier and safer future for you.
• Restylane Lyft: Restylane Lyft helps restore facial volume, offering a non-surgical approach to address concerns related to aging and enhance your natural beauty as part of a proactive skincare regimen.
• Laser Hair Removal: Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that can help prevent ingrown hairs and related skin irritation, promoting long-term skin health.
• 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.
• Mole Evaluation: Early detection saves lives: mole evaluations provide a crucial opportunity to find and treat skin cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages.

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. Merrick Elias 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 implementing a proactive skincare routine recommended by the dermatologist, a patient effectively managed hand and foot hyperhidrosis, preventing the development of skin issues and maintaining comfortable daily life.
• Recognizing the early signs of a skin rash allowed a patient to address potential underlying issues promptly, reducing the risk of complications and promoting lasting skin health. This proactive approach fostered peace of mind and empowered the patient to take control of 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. Merrick Elias:

What is a Dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin, hair, and nails. They play a vital role in preventing and detecting 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. Merrick Elias may recommend more frequent screenings for patients with a personal or family history of skin cancer, or those with many moles, for early detection.

What is the best way to prevent skin cancer?

Protecting your skin from sun damage is key for preventing skin cancer. Simple habits like daily sunscreen use, seeking shade, and wearing protective clothing can significantly reduce your risk. Avoiding tanning beds is also crucial for lifelong skin health.

I have acne. Is it something I just have to live with?

Acne is a treatable medical condition, not something you have to live with. Dr. Merrick Elias can create a personalized treatment plan to prevent scarring and improve your skin and confidence, which may include topical creams, oral medications, and procedural options.

What are Botox® and dermal fillers used for?

Botox® is a neuromodulator that relaxes muscles to smooth dynamic wrinkles, while dermal fillers like Juvéderm® or Restylane® add volume to restore youthful contours and fill in static lines.

Can you treat warts?

Yes, warts are common skin infections caused by a virus. While some resolve on their own, Dr. Merrick Elias can treat persistent warts with effective in-office procedures like cryotherapy to prevent spreading or pain.

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 helpful tool for self-monitoring moles. Recognizing these features can empower you to bring any changes to Dr. Merrick Elias's attention, allowing for early detection and treatment of skin cancer. Early intervention is key to successful outcomes. Knowing these features can help you be proactive in your skin health.

What is a skin biopsy?

A skin biopsy is a simple, quick in-office procedure. Dr. Merrick Elias 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.

2301 N University Dr Ste 201
Pembroke Pines FL 33024
Phone: (954) 961-5322

Dr. Merrick Elias, DO 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): 1932314960

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. Merrick Elias 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.