Gretchen Shull PA-C Delivers a Wide Range of Medical Dermatology Services to Patients in the Cleveland, OH Area

Optima Dermatology is excited to welcome our newest board-certified physician assistant Gretchen Shull,PA-C, to our practice in Mentor, OH. Gretchen has been providing patients with a range of medical dermatology services since 2017, and is committed to delivering an exceptional patient experience.

Gretchen received a Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry Studies and a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Marietta College in Ohio, and went on to complete her clinical training in dermatology at medical facilities in Ohio and Pennsylvania. 

Prior to coming on board at Optima Dermatology, Gretchen worked at Butler Health System in Pennsylvania, where she had completed her first elective rotation in deramatology. Gretchen is a member of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants and is skilled at treating patients of all ages for a wide variety of dermatological conditions. 

Delivering the Highest Quality of Care

Gretchen’s approach to patient care reflects Optima Dermatology’s commitment to treating every patient the way we would want our friends and family to be treated. Gretchen is committed to delivering the highest quality of care to her patients. 

Patients who seek medical dermatology care from Gretchen will receive a personalized and comprehensive treatment plan that addresses their individual needs. Gretchen is committed to going above and beyond to ensure each of her patients has the best experience possible.

We recently had the opportunity to learn more about Gretchen Shull PA-C, her approach, and the path that led her to pursue becoming a physician assistant in medical dermatology.

Q: Where did you go to school? Did you know you wanted to focus on dermatology from the start? 

A: Marietta College in Ohio. I was always interested in dermatology, but it wasn’t until my clinical rotations during PA school that I fell in love with the specialty and realized there was no other specialty that I wanted to work in.

Q: Why did you choose dermatology? What did the path to get there look like for you?  

A: I chose dermatology because I enjoy the variety of services that it offers. On a typical day I am seeing patients from all ages with conditions ranging from acne to melanoma. I also enjoy the mix of clinical time with procedures. Every day in the office is different. I love knowing that I’ll never get bored with the unexpected nature of what each new day will bring.

During PA school I chose to do my elective rotations in dermatology with Butler Health System in Slippery Rock, PA and Dr. Wagamon in Warren, OH. I fell in love with the specialty during my time spent on these rotations and started applying for dermatology PA jobs while in school. I was lucky enough to be hired by Butler Health System where I developed the skills and knowledge I have today. I’m excited to continue growing and learning as a dermatology PA during my next chapter with Optima Dermatology in Mentor.

Q: What is your number one tip when it comes to taking care of your skin? 

A: Wear sunscreen and visit a dermatologist for annual skin exams. Prevention and early intervention is much easier than trying to fix years of damage!

Q: What is your favorite aspect of dermatology? 

A: There are so many aspects of dermatology that I enjoy, but I think one of my favorites is the ability to get patients 100 percent clear from their conditions – whether that be skin cancer, psoriasis, acne, hair loss, etc. Through the incredible medications and medical interventions available, many of the issues in dermatology can be completely treated and patients’ lives are transformed.

Q: What is your approach to treating your patients?

A: I like to work collaboratively with my patients to diagnose and treat them in a way that makes them feel comfortable and confident. I never would want my patients to leave a visit questioning a diagnosis or being uncomfortable with a treatment plan, so I strive to ask a lot of questions and form connections with each one of my patients.

Q: What do you like to do when you are not in the office? 

I love to spend time with my family. My husband Brock and I just welcomed our first baby in April. I also have a golden retriever who I love like a second child. I also enjoy traveling, spending time outside, and relaxing after a long day with some Netflix and a good glass of wine!

Q: What is one thing you want your patients to know about you? 

A: I think it’s really important for patients to remember that their doctors and healthcare providers are people just like them. I may not know everything and have all the answers right away, but I will always do my best to help each one of my patients and treat them the way I’d want my family to be treated.

What to Expect From Dermatological Care From Gretchen and Her Team

If you’re seeking medical dermatological care, Gretchen Shull PA-C and her team at Optima Dermatology offer a wide range of services and have advanced training and experience to ensure the highest quality of care. 

View a complete list of our dermatology services, and come in for a free consultation to learn more about our approach to patient care. Gretchen is accepting new patients at our Mentor, OH location. Give us a call at 440-530-9580 to schedule your consultation today!

How to Identify, Treat, and Manage Psoriasis

We’re back with another Derm Deep Dive, featuring insights from board-certified dermatologist Dr. Cuozzo, DO, FAAD, serving the Greater Portland area. In this series, we offer expert advice about common skin conditions and treatments. As August is Psoriasis Awareness Month, Dr. Cuozzo and our team of specialists provide valuable information and guidance on psoriasis treatment and awareness.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that can affect any part of the body but is most often found on the knees, elbows, or scalp. This skin condition is thought to be caused by an overactive immune system in which the growth of skin cells occurs very quickly.

Normal skin cells take about a month to finish growing and be shed from the body, but psoriasis causes skin cells to finish growing every few days, and instead of shedding, they pile up on the skin’s surface and cause irritation.

In most cases, psoriasis is characterized by raised areas called plaques on the skin that are typically red, itchy, and can burn or sting. It is a lifelong disease that causes flare-ups of inflammation affecting the skin, but it can also affect the joints and other organs in the body.

Who Most Commonly Suffers from Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is not contagious and is not always hereditary. It can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what causes psoriasis in a certain individual, but we do know that it occurs when the immune system is reacting to a triggering event, which can include illness, stress, exposure to hot or cold temperatures, contact with an allergen, or even trauma to the skin, such as a burn or scrape.

About 8 million people in the U.S. suffer from psoriasis, and 125 million globally, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. While psoriasis can occur at any age, it first appears most commonly in individuals between the ages of 15 and 35.

There are five different types of psoriasis, and many individuals suffer from more than one; however, the types of psoriasis vary widely in how they affect people and can be milder or more severe depending on the flare-up and other physical or environmental factors.

What are Different Types of Psoriasis, and Which is the Most Common?

The most common form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis, which affects 80-90 percent of individuals diagnosed with psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis manifests as raised patches of skin called plaques, which are itchy, red, inflamed, and often appear to have silvery scales or even a dark coloration, depending on skin type.

Other types of psoriasis include:

• Inverse psoriasis, which manifests within skin folds – under the breasts, armpits, or in the genital or buttocks areas – and lacks the scales that are so common with plaque psoriasis.
• Guttate psoriasis, which manifests as small red spots and is most frequently found on the arms, legs, chest, stomach, or back. Usually after a strep infection in psoriasis prone individuals.
• Pustular psoriasis, which is characterized by pus-filled bumps that are painful and irritated and is most commonly found on the hands and feet.

Less common forms:

• Erythrodermic psoriasis, which is very rare and causes excessive shedding of the skin’s layers. It can be severe enough to be life-threatening as it can affect heart rate and cause dehydration. 
• Generalized Pustular psoriasis, which are pustules affecting the whole body.

Additionally, psoriasis can affect your joints:

Psoriatic arthritis, which can occur as a result of having any type of psoriasis and causes symptoms of arthritis in the joints. This affects about 30% of patients.

What Does Psoriasis Treatment Look Like?

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder, so the goals for psoriasis treatment are to reduce the occurrence and minimize the severity of flare-ups.

Psoriasis treatment includes:

• Corticosteroids, Vitamin D analogues and other topical treatments
• UVB light therapy, which penetrates the skin over time and can slow the growth of affected skin cells.

Within the last few years, different systemic  drug treatments have come available to help people manage their psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis when topicals and other lifestyle changes are not controlling the condition. New oral medications and injectable medications, called biologics, are available with very good success.

Treatment options that are also beneficial:

• Dietary changes to increase the consumption of foods that can reduce inflammation
• Weight loss to help mitigate triggers that can cause psoriasis flare-ups, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or other metabolic conditions
• Stress relief through meditation, exercise, and lifestyle changes as stress is thought to be a trigger for psoriasis

What are Some First Steps For Someone Newly Diagnosed with Psoriasis?

The most important step is to work with your dermatologist on a skincare plan to manage your psoriasis. Getting to the bottom of what may be causing your psoriasis flare-ups is essential for managing this condition.

Additionally, keep an open mind about your psoriasis management. This is a chronic and often lifelong condition, and while there are treatment options, it may take time to find the right one for you. If you’re working with the right dermatology professional, you will feel confident that your symptoms are being treated as effectively as possible.

What is the Biggest Misconception About Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is often confused with eczema, another very common skin condition that causes red, itchy, and sometimes flaky patches on the skin. While individuals with psoriasis report more burning and stinging associated with their flare-ups, eczema can look and feel very similar, making it difficult to self-diagnose, and emphasizing the importance of seeking a diagnosis from your board-certified dermatologist.

Additionally, we find that the emotional impact for individuals with psoriasis – and really any skin condition – is often misunderstood. Those who struggle with visible skin issues, or experience painful flare-ups, often experience significant emotional impacts such as depression, anxiety, self-consciousness, and difficulty being in public. These conditions can be extremely disruptive to everyday life, so we work with every patient to help manage symptoms and get them back to feeling confident. 

Think You Have Psoriasis? Have a Dermatologist Take a Look.

Psoriasis can cause significant discomfort but can be controlled through a skincare routine developed between you and your board-certified dermatologist.

Schedule an appointment today with Daniel Cuozzo, DO, FAAD at our “Scarborough, ME location or with one of our other experts Optima Dermatology provider to begin your path to psoriasis management.

Schedule an appointment today with Daniel Cuozzo, DO, FAAD, at our Scarborough, ME location, or with another expert provider at Optima Dermatology to begin your path to psoriasis management