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.
Parapsoriasis is several chronic non–contagious dermatoses of unclear etiology and genesis with pseudopsoriatic surface rashes on the skin. The main types of parapsoriasis: teardrop-shaped, lichenoid, plaque. Gaberman’s acute parapsoriasis-the Fly – is singled out separately. Polymorphism of primary elements prevails in the clinic without a significant violation of the general condition of the patient. Diagnosis…
Paraneoplastic dermatoses are a group of diseases and symptoms of skin lesions that occur under the influence of malignant neoplasms of internal organs. According to their manifestations, dermatoses associated with cancer have much in common with common dermatological diseases: itching, excoriation, erythematous, vesicular-bullous rashes, lichenification, pigmentation. However, they differ in the greater prevalence of lesions…
Acne papules is a type of acne that occurs as a result of inflammation in the gum area and is characterized by the formation of inflammatory pustules and papules, often leaving behind post—acne scars or hyperpigmentation. Diagnosis consists in determining the type of acne elements and their differentiation from other diseases, conducting bacteriological studies. In…
Papulonecrotic tuberculosis is an infectious disease of the skin of tuberculous etiology, the distinctive features of which are the paroxysmal nature of the rash of primary elements and the prevalence of the pathological process. Clinically, papulonecrotic tuberculosis is characterized by the appearance of dense multiple nodules – hemispheres with a diameter of 1 to 4 mm…
Human papillomavirus is a benign tumor–like formation of the skin and mucous membranes of viral etiology. It has the appearance of a papilla on a narrow base (leg), soft or dense consistency, from light to dark brown. Localization on the skin leads to the formation of a cosmetic defect, in the larynx – impaired breathing,…
Papillomatous nevus is a lumpy mole protruding above the surface of the skin, resembling a papilloma in its appearance. It is often located on the scalp, but may have a different location. The diagnosis of nevus is carried out using dermatoscopy, syascopy, in some cases a biopsy may be required. An indication for the removal…
Panniculitis is a progressive lesion of subcutaneous fat of an inflammatory nature, leading to the destruction of fat cells and their replacement by connective tissue with the formation of nodes, plaques or infiltrates. In the visceral form of panniculitis, fatty cells of the liver, pancreas, kidneys, fatty tissue of the omentum or retroperitoneal region are…
Pityriasis is a long—term fungal disease with damage to the epidermis, which is manifested by the appearance of pigmented spots of various shades on the skin: yellow, pink, brown, brown and characteristic bran-like peeling. There are no signs of inflammation. Pityriasis is diagnosed using a Balzer iodine test, luminescent examination and microscopy of exfoliating scales.…
Mucha-Habermann disease is an acute benign papulosquamous variety of teardrop-shaped parapsoriasis. The clinical difference of pathology is the true polymorphism of rashes, papules, pustules, bullae, hemorrhages, heterogeneous crusts and varicell-like (hemorrhagic) elements combined with the pink teardrop-shaped papules familiar to teardrop psoriasis. The primary elements are scattered, arranged symmetrically. The disease debuts acutely and generalizes…
Ostiofolliculitis (staphylococcal impetigo) is an inflammation of the upper part of the hair follicle or sebaceous gland caused by the penetration and reproduction of staphylococci in them. It is manifested by small single or multiple pustules, not prone to peripheral growth and fusion. Most often, ostiofolliculitis occurs on the skin of the neck, face, thighs,…
