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.
Lymphocytoma cutis is a benign chronic dermatosis with a lesion of the lymphoreticular tissue. Clinically manifested by single or multiple polymorphic skin rashes, more often localized on the face. The primary element is a brown nodule the size of a pea with clear borders and a dense consistency. Slow growth and a tendency to self-resolution…
Jessner lymphocytic infiltration of the skin is a rare chronic dermatosis characterized by benign infiltration of the skin by lymphocytes. The disease has a wave-like course, prone to self-resolution. Clinically manifested by a rash on the unchanged skin of flat smooth bluish-pink plaques or papules that merge into foci the size of the palm of…
Lymphomatoid papulosis is a benign disease of the lymphatic system with recurrent polymorphic skin manifestations. Clinically accompanied by papular eruptions of various sizes, which then transform into bulls, open, forming erosions, crusts, scars. The rash can be located on any part of the skin, there are no subjective sensations. The diagnosis is made on the…
Skin lymphoma is a tumor lesion of the skin resulting from the malignant proliferation of lymphocytes in it. Depending on the type of multiplying lymphocytes, T- and B-cell lymphomas are distinguished. The disease is manifested by the formation of nodules, plaques or erythrodermic areas on the skin, which is accompanied by an increase in lymph…
Ligature fistula is a pathological course surrounded by an inflammatory infiltrate in the area of a non–absorbable suture thread, which was used for suturing tissues during various surgical interventions. Prone to recurrent course. It is manifested by the presence of a seal, in the center of which there is a small hole with a scanty…
Livedo is a pathology of the vessels of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, which develops as a result of vasomotor disorders, leads to the development of a transient or persistent spotted reddish–blue or purple reticulated cyanotic pattern. It can be an independent disease or a significant symptom of a number of endocrine, neurological, infectious, autoimmune…
Lentigo is a benign local melanocytic hyperchromia of the skin with possible malignancy. It is manifested by small, often multiple flat formations of brown color with clear boundaries and slow growth. Lentigo is localized in open areas of the skin: face, neck and limbs. There are several variants: simple, youthful, senile, sunny (against the background…
Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma is a rare malignant neoplasm originating from smooth muscle tissue. It is formed from the muscles of the sweat glands or the muscles that lift the hair. It is a blue, red or yellowish single dense plaque, more often located on the limbs, less often on the head, neck or trunk. The surface…
Leukoplakia is a lesion of the mucous membrane, manifested by focal keratinization of the multilayer flat epithelium. The keratin color of the keratinized epithelium causes the white or grayish color of the foci of leukoplakia. The disease occurs on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, respiratory tract, urine-genital organs, in the anal area. Disease…
Leukoderma is a polyethological dermatological condition characterized by a violation of the formation and accumulation or accelerated destruction of pigment in certain areas of the body. It is manifested by the presence of discolored areas of the skin. The size, number and localization of the sites depend on the causes of the disorder. The diagnosis…
