Dr. Phyllis Murphy, MD

Dr. Phyllis Murphy, MD is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at her Clearwater, FL clinic, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive dermatological care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is a trusted partner in preventive health, specializing in creating 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. She serves all ages, and welcomes new patients to begin their proactive health journey.

Dr. Phyllis Murphy, MD is a dermatologist in Clearwater, FL with over 35 years of experience in the medical field. With this wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, she brings extensive experience in Skin Cancer & Excision to her patients and their families. She earned her medical degree from LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine in 1985 and is Board Certified in Dermatology by the American Board of Dermatology. Dr. Murphy is affiliated with Morton Plant Hospital and 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 provides consultations primarily in English. Call (727) 447-1229 to schedule an appointment.

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

• 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.
• Lymphangioma: Managing lymphangioma, depending on its type and location, may involve simple observation or intervention to avoid future complications like disfigurement or infection.
• 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.
• Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema): Protecting your skin from the itch-scratch cycle of eczema is key to preventing further damage and improving your quality of life – early detection and proactive care are vital.
• Cellulitis: Practicing good hygiene and wound care helps lower your risk of developing cellulitis, protecting your skin's health and preventing future complications.
• Vitiligo: Vitiligo is a long-term condition where patches of skin lose their pigment, making them appear lighter than the surrounding skin, and proactive skin protection can help manage sun sensitivity in affected areas.
• 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.
• Pemphigoid: Pemphigoid is a group of autoimmune skin diseases causing painful blisters, and early diagnosis with a dermatologist is key to managing symptoms and preventing severe complications.
• Rash: Don't ignore a rash! Early detection of a rash could mean preventing a chronic condition that could negatively impact your overall well-being.
• Onychomycosis: Proper hygiene and prompt treatment of onychomycosis reduce the risk of transmission to other nails and individuals, contributing to overall preventive health.
• Ringworm: Preventing the spread of ringworm and its potential for uncomfortable symptoms relies on maintaining good hygiene, recognizing early signs, and seeking timely treatment.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Skin: Protecting your skin from sun damage and regularly examining it for changes can help prevent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and ensure early detection if it does occur, leading to better treatment outcomes.

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. Phyllis Murphy 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: 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: As part of your proactive skin care routine, removing a benign lesion gives you confidence and helps maintain long-term skin health.
• 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: For peace of mind and early detection, an excision of a skin lesion surgically removes an abnormal area of skin for lab analysis, ensuring any potential skin cancer is caught in its earliest, most treatable stage.
• Melanoma Screening: Invest in your long-term health with a melanoma screening; it's a simple procedure that can significantly reduce your risk of serious skin cancer.
• 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: Taking a shaving of an unusual skin lesion enables your dermatologist to analyze its cells, facilitating early diagnosis of potentially cancerous growths and minimizing the risk of advanced disease.
• Skin Grafts: Skin grafts are used to repair extensive skin damage from burns, injuries, or surgery, helping restore skin function and appearance.
• 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. Phyllis Murphy 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 proactively addressing a shingles outbreak, a patient avoided potential secondary skin infections, ensuring a smoother recovery and preventing further complications. This proactive approach allowed the patient to maintain a high quality of life.
• By proactively scheduling regular check-ups and following a personalized management plan, a patient successfully avoided potential complications from a lymphangioma, ensuring a healthier future.

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. Phyllis Murphy:

What is a Dermatologist?

Dr. Phyllis Murphy and our team are dermatologists, medical doctors specializing in diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin, hair, and nails. We play a vital role in preventing, detecting, 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. Murphy may recommend more frequent screenings for early detection.

What is the best way to prevent skin cancer?

Protecting your skin from the sun 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 easy steps to incorporate into your daily routine for lifelong skin health.

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

Acne is a treatable medical condition, not a personal failing. Dr. Murphy can create a personalized treatment plan, which may include topical creams, oral medications, and procedural options, to prevent scarring and improve your skin and confidence.

What are the ABCDEs of melanoma?

Dr. Murphy's practice encourages you to be proactive in skin cancer detection by using the ABCDEs: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving or changing moles. Knowing these characteristics can help you identify potential issues early, enabling prompt consultation and appropriate care. Early detection is key to successful treatment.

What is rosacea and how is it managed?

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

What is a skin biopsy?

A skin biopsy is a simple, quick in-office procedure. Dr. Murphy will numb the area and remove a small sample of skin, which is then sent to a lab to be examined under a microscope for a definitive diagnosis.

How can I prevent my eczema from flaring up?

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

718B Lakeview Rd Ste B
Clearwater FL 33756
Phone: (727) 447-1229

Dr. Phyllis Murphy, 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): 1508954066

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. Phyllis Murphy 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.