Dr. Ralph Massullo Jr, MD

Dr. Ralph Massullo Jr, MD is a Dermatology specialist committed to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive dermatological care. He practices at his Lecanto, FL clinic, is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, Dr. Ralph Jr. is dedicated to 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. Your dermatologist is your primary partner in lifelong skin health, ensuring you have the tools and knowledge to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Ralph Massullo Jr, MD is a dermatologist in Lecanto, FL and has over 35 years of experience in the medical field. He brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from West Virginia University in 1987 and is Board Certified in Dermatology by the American Board of Dermatology. He is affiliated with Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital and has extensive experience in Skin Cancer & Excision. He is currently welcoming new patients of all ages to begin their proactive health journey. Dr. Ralph Jr provides consultations primarily in English. Please call (352) 746-2200 to schedule an appointment or telehealth visit.

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

• Actinic Keratosis: Protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays helps prevent actinic keratosis, a common precancerous skin condition that, if detected early, is often easily treated.
• Shingles: Managing shingles effectively, including antiviral medication and pain relief, helps prevent complications like postherpetic neuralgia, a persistent nerve pain that can last for months or years.
• Ringworm: Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin that can be prevented with good hygiene practices and early treatment helps avoid spreading and long-term complications.
• 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.
• 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.
• Erythema Multiforme: Preventing severe cases of erythema multiforme relies on recognizing the early warning signs of the rash and taking proactive steps to manage underlying causes.
• Hives: Preventing severe reactions from hives starts with understanding your triggers. Identifying these triggers can limit outbreaks and improve quality of life.
• Nail Infection: A nail infection, if left untreated, can spread and cause more serious problems, so early detection and treatment are crucial for preventing long-term complications.
• Hypertrophic Scar: A hypertrophic scar is a raised, thick scar that forms after an injury, and understanding its development helps prevent further skin damage and promotes healing.
• Tinea Versicolor: Managing tinea versicolor effectively reduces the risk of secondary infections and helps maintain healthy skin.
• Psoriasis: Early recognition of psoriasis symptoms can help you start treatment sooner, preventing the spread of the condition and minimizing its impact on your quality of life.
• Eczema and Contact Dermatitis: Eczema and contact dermatitis are skin conditions that can be managed with preventative measures to reduce flare-ups and long-term complications, like 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. Ralph Jr offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Destruction of Malignant Skin Lesion: This treatment effectively removes cancerous skin lesions, contributing to a healthier and safer future for you.
• Acne Surgery: Acne surgery can help clear up severe acne blemishes and reduce scarring, improving your skin's appearance and long-term health.
• 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.
• 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 Grafts: For patients with chronic wounds or extensive skin damage that hasn't healed naturally, a skin graft is a procedure to restore skin integrity and improve quality of life.
• Wart Freezing: Wart freezing is a safe and effective method for removing warts, improving your skin's appearance and preventing discomfort.
• 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 Tag Removal: Removing a skin tag can be a proactive step towards maintaining healthy skin and ensuring early detection of any underlying skin concerns.
• Excision of Benign Skin Lesion: Taking proactive steps towards skin health, a benign skin lesion excision ensures its harmless nature and prevents unnecessary worry.
• 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: Protect your skin's health by scheduling mole evaluations; this helps identify potentially cancerous moles before they become a serious threat.
• Melanoma Screening: Regular melanoma screenings help detect skin cancer early, when it's most treatable, improving your chances of a positive outcome.

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. Ralph Jr 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 consistently using sun protection measures and scheduling regular skin checks, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing actinic keratosis, ensuring a healthier future.
• By proactively discussing their risk factors and receiving guidance on preventative measures, a patient significantly reduced their chances of developing shingles, ensuring a healthier future. This proactive approach provided peace of mind and empowered them to manage their well-being effectively.

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. Ralph Jr:

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 as a vital preventive measure. However, for patients with a personal or family history of skin cancer, or with many moles, Dr. Ralph Jr. 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 with SPF 30+, seeking shade during peak sun hours, and wearing protective clothing can significantly reduce your risk. Avoiding tanning beds is also crucial for lifelong skin health.

What are the ABCDEs of melanoma?

Knowing the ABCDEs of melanoma—Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving or changing—can empower you to be a partner in early skin cancer detection. Regular self-exams, using these guidelines, can help identify suspicious moles early for prompt evaluation by a dermatologist. Early detection significantly improves outcomes.

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. Ralph Jr. 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 is an actinic keratosis (AK)?

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precancerous skin growth often caused by sun exposure. They typically appear as rough, sandpaper-like patches. Treating AKs prevents a small percentage from potentially progressing to skin cancer.

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 promptly using prescription medications from Dr. Ralph Jr.'s office at the first sign of a flare can help prevent worsening.

What is a skin biopsy?

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

525 N Dacie Pt
Lecanto FL 34461
Phone: (352) 746-2200

Dr. Ralph Massullo Jr, 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): 1104810563

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. Ralph Jr 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.