Dermatology (Greek derma – skin, logos – doctrine, literally “the doctrine of the skin”) is a medical discipline, the objects of study of which are the skin, its appendages (hair, nails, sebaceous and sweat glands), mucous membranes, their structure and functioning, as well as diseases and diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Within dermatology as a medical science, there are special clinical sections that study individual diseases and their treatment (mycology, trichology). Dermatology is closely connected with venereology, cosmetology, allergology and other medical disciplines.
The skin is part of the integral structure of the body and is the largest human organ visible to the eye. It, as an indicator, reflects the state of all organs and systems of the body, protects them from mechanical damage and infection. As a rule, skin diseases indicate any violation of the functions of internal organs, unhealthy habits and lifestyle of the patient. Skin diseases, in turn, can lead to serious consequences for the body as a whole if their treatment is not started in a timely manner.
The features of the structure of the skin, the diversity of its functions and the impact of a large number of internal and external factors cause a variety of skin diseases, or dermatoses.
The impact of external, or exogenous, factors is very diverse. Physical and chemical agents cause inflammatory changes – dermatitis (burns, scuffs, diaper rash, etc.). Biological factors lead to fungal skin lesions – mycoses (epidermophytia, microsporia), pustular diseases – pyoderma (impetigo, furunculosis, hydradenitis), parasitic invasions (pediculosis, scabies), viral skin lesions (herpes, warts).
An important role in the occurrence of skin diseases is played by internal, or endogenous, factors: these are diseases of internal organs, chronic foci of infection, metabolic disorders, hypovitaminosis, disorders of the functions of the nervous system. All these factors can cause various pathological processes in the skin and its appendages, mucous membranes: inflammation, hemorrhages, pigmentation changes and even the death of individual skin structures (hair follicles, connective tissue fibers, etc.).
When the first signs of skin diseases appear (such as itching, burning, soreness, discoloration and relief of the skin, skin rashes), you should consult a dermatologist. An experienced doctor can make the correct diagnosis already at the first careful examination of the skin and careful collection of the patient’s life history. To clarify or confirm the diagnosis in dermatology, additional methods of examination of the skin, mucous membranes, hair, nails are widely used: instrumental, laboratory, radiological, special skin tests, etc.
Treatment of skin diseases requires patient patience and strict adherence to the treatment algorithm. An important role in the successful treatment is played by hygienic care of the affected skin, compliance with diet and drug therapy regimen. Medical treatment can be general and local. Physiotherapy and hardware procedures, psychotherapy, spa treatment, phytotherapy, homeopathy are widely used in dermatological practice. In some cases, in the absence of a clinical effect from conservative treatment, surgical intervention or the involvement of narrow specialists is indicated. Most often, the treatment is complex and combines several different methods at once. Today, with the help of the latest therapeutic and diagnostic techniques, dermatology allows to achieve the cure of such diseases that were considered incurable until quite recently.
Skin diseases are among the most common human diseases, and almost everyone faces one or another of their manifestations in their lifetime. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 20% of the world’s population suffers from skin diseases.
Many dermatoses have a chronic recurrent course and are difficult to treat. The most common are dermatitis of various genesis, eczema, fungal diseases, acne, skin warts, herpes simplex, psoriasis, skin cancer.
Modern dermatology pays great attention to the restoration of skin health, the study of the mechanisms of age-related and pathological changes in the skin, nails and hair, the treatment of oncological diseases, the search for new methods of diagnosis and treatment.
With the website “Medic Journal” you will always be aware of the most up-to-date information about skin diseases and methods of their treatment.
Subungual hematoma is a consequence of a mechanical injury to the nail phalanx of the upper or lower limb, in which hemorrhage occurs in the soft tissues of the nail bed. The damage is characterized by pain of varying degrees of intensity, local fever, edema, the appearance of red, and then cyanotic and black staining…
Borderline pigment nevus is a pigmented nodule up to 1 cm in size, the color of which can vary from light brown and gray to black. Borderline nevus can have any localization. It is more often a single one. Diagnosis is carried out by dermatological examination, dermatoscopy, syascopy. In order to prevent melanoma, removal of…
Superficially spreading melanoma is the most common type of melanoma. It is usually diagnosed at a young and middle age, more often affects the skin of the trunk and lower extremities. In the initial stages, it is an unevenly pigmented spot with clear borders, slightly raised above the skin level. Subsequently, the tumor increases, becomes…
Superficial pyoderma is a group of contagious dermatoses, mainly of coccoid origin, affecting the epidermis and upper layers of the dermis. It is clinically manifested by polymorphic rashes of pustules, nodules, bullae, flicken. The shape of the primary element depends on the type of surface pyoderma. Bubbles quickly open, form erosions, become crusted and regress…
Flat warts is a benign skin formation, which is a flat nodule up to 5 mm in size, slightly rising above the surface of the skin. Disease, as a rule, are multiple and are located in groups on the face, back of the hands, shins. The diagnosis is based on a visual examination of the…
Nevus flammeus is a capillary angiodysplasia that occurs in the embryonic period of intrauterine development. Occasionally, there is an acquired form of nevus associated with injuries, infections, and medication. Disease has the appearance of a bright pink, red or purple spot of different sizes and a bizarre shape. It is mainly located on the face,…
Pyoderma combine purulent-inflammatory skin diseases, the cause of which is a purulent microflora – pyococci, staphylococci and streptococci. About a third of all skin diseases are various pyoderma; primary form occur when healthy skin is affected, and secondary are a complication of diseases in which skin damage due to itching is possible. Disease is complicated…
Pyogenic granuloma is a benign neoplasm of the skin or mucous membranes of vascular nature. Externally, it is a rounded formation (papule) with a diameter of up to 1.5 centimeters of bright red, cherry or black-brown color. The volume of the tumor is filled with small vessels and capillaries surrounded by connective tissue. The surface…
Pilomatrixoma is a tumor of a complex structure, which presumably develops from the cells of the hair matrix. It is a cluster of non-nuclear cells of the squamous epithelium with areas of fibrosis, calcification, ossification. By the nature of growth, as a rule, benign, less often primary malignant. Externally, the pilomatrixoma is a slow–growing dense…
Xeroderma pigmentosum (lenticular melanosis, malignant lentigo, pigmented atrophoderma) is a chronic hereditary disease caused by hypersensitivity of the skin to solar radiation and UV rays. Skin changes are characterized by successive processes of inflammation, hyperpigmentation, atrophy, hyperkeratosis and malignant transformation of skin cells. Most patients have eye damage: conjunctivitis, keratitis and tumors. The diagnosis is…
