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.
Mastocytosis is a systemic disease caused by the proliferation of mast cells and their infiltration of the skin (skin form) and internal organs (systemic mastocytosis). There are five different skin manifestations: hyperpigmentation, small and large nodes, erythrodermic foci and telangiectasia. With any form of skin elements, a diagnostic sign characteristic is revealed – the Darya-Unna…
Radiation dermatitis (radiation or X—ray dermatitis) is an inflammatory change that occurs in the skin as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation. Clinical manifestations of radiation dermatitis depend on the radiation dose. In the acute period, redness, the appearance of blisters and the formation of poorly healing ulcers are possible. In the later period,…
Lichen is a group of polyethological skin diseases characterized by the appearance of rash, itchy elements. There are several varieties of the disease, differing in the type of pathogen, type of rash, localization, contagiousness (eczema – wet lichen; microsporia, phagus, trichophytia – ringworm; psoriasis – scaly lichen; pink lichen – pityriasis; shingles). The course of…
Lichenoid tuberculid is one of the dermatological forms of this infectious disease, most often occurring as a complication of tuberculosis of other types and localizations against the background of reduced immunity. Symptoms are small symmetrical nodules of pink or brown color, located on the trunk and covered with whitish scales. The diagnosis is made on…
Pityriasis lichenoides is an acute or chronic lesion of the skin of unknown etiology, which is associated with a violation of the functioning of certain clones of T–lymphocytes. Symptoms of the condition are vesicular or papular rashes. Peeling of the skin is often observed, after the rash resolves, noticeable scars may remain. Diagnosis is made…
Pemphigus foliaceus is a clinical form of pemphigus, which is characterized by the formation of flat unstrained bubbles, the reappearance of bubbles under the crusts in place of already resolved elements and pronounced delamination of the epidermis. The course of the disease is chronic, long-term, with a tendency to generalization and damage to extensive areas…
Lipoma is a common benign mesenchymal tumor consisting of mature fat cells. It is a rounded or oblong formation of a soft-elastic consistency, covered with unchanged skin. The tumor slowly increases in size without causing unpleasant sensations. When localized in the immediate vicinity of blood vessels and nerves, it can squeeze them, provoking the development…
Necrobiosis lipoidica is a chronic skin disease caused by the deposition of fats in skin areas with degenerative and necrobiotic changes. Characteristic is the appearance of nodules in the skin, the mergers of which form dense plaques with a shiny surface. Accurate diagnosis of the disease is carried out according to histological examination. An important…
Beau’s lines are a type of acquired onychodystrophy as a result of damage to the matrix of the nail plate. It is clinically manifested by transverse lines, the depth of which (up to 1 mm) is proportional to the severity of the pathology. Beau’s lines do not differ in color from a healthy nail, they…
Lichen striatus is a dermatological disease of unclear etiology, in which papular rash is observed (the appearance of nodular elements on the skin). A symptom of this condition is rashes in the form of narrow stripes on the limbs and trunk. The rash distribution lines almost always correspond to the location of the nerve trunks.…
