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.
Hoffmann’s perifolliculitis is a chronic dermatological disease of purulent–inflammatory nature. It is quite rare. Symptoms of this pathology are superficial and deep abscesses on the hairy parts of the body – mainly on the head, occasionally the armpits and pubic area may be affected. Diagnosis of Hoffmann’s perifolliculitis is based on the results of dermatological…
Perioral dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory lesion of the skin around the mouth in the form of separate or grouped red papules located against the background of normal or reddened skin. Diagnosis is carried out by a dermatologist during examination and dermatoscopy. The sowing of scraping or separating elements is carried out. Treatment of perioral…
Perianal dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin around the anus, manifested by redness, swelling, soreness and itching. Disease can have a contact, allergic, bacterial or fungal nature, occur against the background of enterobiosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, hemorrhoids, anal fissure. In the diagnosis of the disease, the main importance is to determine its etiology by…
Pemphigoid is a dermatological disease of unclear (presumably autoimmune) etiology with a chronic recurrent course, similar in its clinical manifestations to some forms of pemphigus. Symptoms of this condition include the appearance of rashes on the skin of the extremities, abdomen and chest, sometimes on the mucous membranes. The nature of the rash is tense…
Pellagra is a vitamin deficiency caused by a deficiency of vitamin PP and the amino acid tryptophan. The main symptoms are redness, peeling of the skin on the face and neck, hair loss, ulceration on the tongue, diarrhea, a feeling of numbness and tingling in the extremities, paralysis, insomnia, weakness, absent–mindedness, decreased intellectual functions (dementia).…
Diaper dermatitis is a local inflammation of the skin of a child of the first year of life caused by the adverse influence of chemical, physical, mechanical or microbial factors acting on the skin under diapers or diapers. Inflammatory changes are characterized by swelling and redness of the skin, an increase in local temperature. In…
Pediculosis is one of the most common parasitoses of human skin and hair, the development of which is caused by infection with lice. Lice are obligate ectoparasites that feed on human blood. At the site of the insect bite, there is a slight redness, itching. To the hair at a distance of 5-6 mm from…
Inguinal epidermophytosis is a lesion of the epidermis of fungal etiology that occurs in large folds of the skin. It is manifested by typical flaky pink spots with a clean center and a periphery covered with vesicles and pustules. It is most often localized in the inguinal folds. The diagnosis of inguinal epidermophytosis confirms the detection…
Pachyonychia is a dermatological condition of various origins, which manifests itself by changing the structure, thickness and shape of nails, which in some cases leads to their loss. The symptom of this condition is a thickening, sometimes very significant, of the nail plate with deformation and discoloration – such disorders, depending on their causes, can…
Paronychia is a dermatological disease with inflammation of the periarticular roller caused by trauma, exposure to chemicals or high temperature, followed by infection. Symptoms of this condition are redness, swelling and soreness in the area of the roller, possibly with the development of suppuration and abscess. With long-term chronic inflammatory processes, it is possible to…
