Dr. Ellis Gottesfeld, MD is a dermatologist practicing at his clinic in Lake Worth, FL, dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive dermatological care for older adults. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). A dermatologist offers specialized expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of skin conditions common in seniors, including skin cancers and chronic diseases, working collaboratively with your primary care physician to ensure comprehensive care. He serves older adults (65+) and those with age-related skin concerns, and is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (561) 440-7546 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Ellis Gottesfeld, MD is a dermatologist in Lake Worth, FL with over 40 years of experience in the medical field. With this extensive experience, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from State University Of New York Downstate Health Sciences University College Of Medicine in 1984, completing an internship at Beth Israel Medical Center. Following this, he undertook residency training in Dermatology at Case Western Reserve University, specializing in the comprehensive medical care of Older adults (65+) and those with age-related skin concerns. He is Board Certified in Dermatology by the American Board of Dermatology and affiliated with Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Dr. Gottesfeld is committed to patient-centered care, providing individual attention by the physician, and upholding the highest standards of care. He provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-doctor partnership. Dr. Ellis Gottesfeld is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Ellis Gottesfeld is a dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing compassionate and comprehensive dermatological care. He expertly diagnoses and treats a wide range of skin conditions, including skin cancers and chronic diseases, while collaborating closely with primary care physicians to ensure a holistic and coordinated approach to patient well-being. His focus is not only on treating the skin condition but also on understanding the individual needs and goals of each senior, fostering a supportive and reassuring environment for optimal health and comfort.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Ellis Gottesfeld can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
AARP
Aetna
Assurant Health
AvMed
Beech Street (Multiplan)
ChoiceCare Network
Cigna
Coventry Health Care
Health Net
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Humana
Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP)
UniCare
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Anthem
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
- Blue Care Connection PPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Buckeye Community Health Plan
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- EmblemHealth
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- GEHA
- GHI
- Government Employees Health Association (GEHA)
- HealthyBlue 2.0
- Medicare
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Tricare
- Tricare PPO
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Ellis Gottesfeld provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Hives: For seniors, managing hives may require adjustments to medication routines or environmental factors; working with your doctor to identify and avoid triggers is key to maintaining comfort and preventing future outbreaks.
- Shingles: Experiencing a painful, burning rash? It could be shingles, a common condition affecting older adults. Fortunately, prompt medical attention and treatment can reduce the pain and duration of the illness, allowing you to enjoy a better quality of life.
- Tinea Versicolor: If you're noticing unusual lighter or darker patches on your skin, it could be tinea versicolor. Don't worry; this common fungal infection is often easily treated with antifungal medications, restoring your skin's even tone.
- Keloid Scar: Keloid scars are raised and can be bothersome, but medical options exist to lessen their size and improve the skin's look and feel, improving self-confidence.
- Inflamed Seborrheic Keratosis: If your seborrheic keratosis becomes inflamed, it might feel uncomfortable; fortunately, a dermatologist can offer simple management strategies to ease the irritation and restore comfort.
- Warts: Warts are common, benign skin growths caused by a virus, often appearing as small, rough bumps that can be treated with various methods to improve comfort and appearance.
- Plantar Wart: Plantar warts are small, hard bumps on the bottom of your feet that can be quite painful and make walking difficult, but thankfully, there are many effective treatments available to remove them and get you back on your feet.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Skin: Early detection and prompt treatment for SCC, a type of skin cancer, greatly improves chances for a full recovery and a good quality of life.
- Acne: Dealing with acne at any age can be challenging, and it's important to know that effective treatments exist for older adults too. These usually involve minimizing irritation, using appropriate skincare products, and, if needed, prescription medications to reduce blemishes and feel better.
- Skin Discoloration: Unexpected changes in skin color, such as new patches or darkening of existing areas, warrant a visit to your dermatologist to rule out serious conditions and maintain healthy skin.
- Skin Allergy: A skin allergy is an itchy or irritated reaction to something that touches your skin, and managing it can often involve identifying and avoiding the trigger to reduce discomfort and improve your overall comfort.
- Herpes Simplex Infection: Herpes simplex infections, marked by painful blisters, are treatable. Antiviral medication helps reduce the frequency and intensity of outbreaks, thus improving overall well-being for seniors.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Ellis Gottesfeld offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Destruction of Penile Lesion: Destruction of a penile lesion is a vital step in addressing a concerning skin change on the penis, which allows for early intervention and improved long-term health outcomes.
- Skin Biopsy: To ensure the best possible treatment plan, a skin biopsy helps determine the precise nature of a concerning skin growth or lesion, guiding your doctor's decisions for your care.
- Wart Removal: For seniors, wart removal can reduce pain and discomfort associated with these growths, contributing to their overall well-being.
- Skin Tag Removal: Skin tag removal helps maintain healthy skin and prevents potential complications from irritation or infection.
- Excision of Skin Cancer: Removing cancerous skin lesions through excision helps manage potential complications of skin cancer and reduces health risks in older adults.
- Mole Evaluation: Regular mole checks are a crucial part of proactive skin cancer prevention and management for seniors.
- Laceration Repair: As part of comprehensive senior care, laceration repair addresses injuries, minimizing their impact on overall health and well-being.
- Shaving of Skin Lesion: For accurate diagnosis and effective management of skin concerns, shaving a lesion helps your dermatologist determine the best course of action for your health.
- Destruction of Benign Skin Lesion: This procedure eliminates a non-cancerous skin lesion, enhancing your comfort and confidence.
- Abscess or Cyst Drainage or Aspiration: Removing fluid from a skin cyst or abscess via drainage or aspiration allows for better examination of the underlying issue, tailoring treatment to the senior's individual needs.
- Excision of Skin Lesion: Excision of a skin lesion is a vital step for early detection and treatment of skin cancers, improving your chances of a positive outcome.
- Skin Cancer Removal: Skin cancer removal is a crucial step in your overall health management as it addresses a serious condition that requires prompt attention.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Dermatology in Florida.
Dr. Ellis Gottesfeld is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After working with a dermatologist to identify triggers, a senior couple found relief from bothersome hives, allowing them to enjoy their evenings on the porch without the discomfort.
- The senior was able to return to her beloved daily walks, a cherished activity, after the shingles rash subsided with effective treatment. The family felt immense relief knowing their loved one was experiencing less pain and discomfort.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Dermatology (Dermatology)
Here are answers to some common questions about Dermatological care with Dr. Ellis Gottesfeld:
- What is a Dermatologist?
- Dr. Gottesfeld is a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating skin, hair, and nail conditions. He is particularly helpful for seniors, focusing on skin cancer prevention and treatment, managing chronic skin issues, and addressing age-related skin changes.
- How often should I get a full-body skin exam?
- We strongly recommend a full-body skin exam with Dr. Gottesfeld at least once a year. For seniors with a history of skin cancer or many moles, Dr. Gottesfeld may recommend more frequent checks. This is the single most important step in catching skin cancer early, when it's most treatable.
- What changes in a mole should I watch for?
- Look for changes in moles, such as asymmetry, irregular borders, changing colors, diameters larger than a pencil eraser, or evolving spots. If you notice any of these changes in a new or existing mole, schedule an appointment with Dr. Gottesfeld immediately.
- What is actinic keratosis?
- Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precancerous skin growth caused by sun exposure, often appearing as rough, scaly patches. Treating AKs is important because they can sometimes develop into skin cancer.
- What is Mohs surgery, and why is it used?
- Mohs surgery is a highly precise surgical technique used to remove skin cancers like basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. It's key benefit is that it removes all cancerous cells while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible, making it especially helpful for areas of the face.
- What are these small skin tags, and do they need to be removed?
- Skin tags are common, harmless growths that often appear with age. They typically don't need removal, but if they are irritating, Dr. Gottesfeld can easily remove them during an office visit.
- What treatments do you offer for thinning hair?
- Hair loss is a common concern for seniors. Dr. Gottesfeld first diagnoses the cause of thinning hair. Treatment options range from topical solutions and oral medications to advanced therapies, aiming to slow loss and promote healthier hair.
- What happens during a skin biopsy?
- A skin biopsy is a simple in-office procedure where Dr. Gottesfeld removes a small sample of skin to be examined under a microscope. The area is numbed first, making it comfortable. It's the only way to definitively diagnose many skin conditions, including skin cancer, and is a very quick and routine part of dermatological care.
3918 Via Poinciana Ste 10
Lake Worth FL 33467
Phone: (561) 440-7546
Dr. Ellis Gottesfeld, 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): 1255356119
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Dermatology like Dr. Ellis Gottesfeld are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.