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.
Idiopathic eczema is a chronic itchy dermatosis, manifested by the appearance of small vesicles (vesicles) and serous papules on the reddened and edematous area of the skin, which quickly open up, turning into point erosions. Serous discharge of the latter causes the characteristic eczema wetness of the affected area of the skin. In most cases,…
Intertrigo is an erythematous erosive lesion of the surface layers of the epidermis in the natural skin folds of the body. The disease is caused by fungal or bacterial pathogens against the background of constant friction of touching surfaces. Intertrigo is manifested by areas of hyperemia, wetness and rashes, which are accompanied by itching, pain…
Intertriginous psoriasis is an infrequent type of psoriatic lesion of the skin, characterized by atypical localization of the pathological process in large folds of the skin, atypical primary elements, practically devoid of peeling. It is clinically manifested by the formation of edematous hyperemic spots of bright pink color, papules with elements of wetness, which transform…
Integrum lupus erythematosus is a type of erythematosis with skin manifestations and photosensitivity. Clinically characterized by a rash of spots with further transformation into atrophic scarring through the stage of hyperkeratosis. The provoking factor is insolation. The integrative form of the disease is diagnosed on the basis of anamnesis and a typical clinical picture. To…
Erythema induratum is one of the forms of focal tuberculosis of the skin, which tends to disseminate the process, developing against the background of systemic damage to internal organs by Koch’s wand. The disease has a gender coloring, women of reproductive age are more likely to get sick. It is characterized by a rash of…
Hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa) is a clinical form of acne in which acne is accompanied by a secondary inflammatory process in the apocrine sweat glands with the appearance and opening of subcutaneous infiltrates in the armpits, in the navel and perineum, around the nipples. The disease proceeds chronically with frequent relapses. Adequate antibiotic therapy, including systemic…
Impetigo is a group of superficial pyoderma of infectious origin. The clinical manifestations of the disease correspond to the impetigo variety, but they also have common features: the debut is characterized by the appearance of erythema, against which vesicles with serous-purulent contents pour out, resolved by the formation of honey-yellow crusts. Over time, the crusts…
Idiopathic urticaria is a common allergic dermatosis of a chronic course. Clinically manifested by severe itching and urticaria (flat-raised, palpable) rash, which persists on the skin for more than 6 weeks. Blisters have clear boundaries, sizes vary from 1.5 mm to 3-5 cm. A characteristic feature of the rash is its constant updating. The quality…
Malignant skin neoplasms are neoplasms of external localization of epithelial, melanocytic, lymphocytic and vascular origin. They develop more often in old age. They appear in the form of plaques, nodules and seals with exophytic and endophytic growth. With progression, they often ulcerate. The underlying tissues can germinate, metastasize to lymph nodes and distant organs. The diagnosis…
Splinter is a foreign body embedded under a person’s skin. The presence of a fragment of glass, metal, wood in the epidermis or dermis is accompanied by a tingling sensation when pressed. Within a few hours, local inflammation develops, which can turn into suppuration. To clarify the location of the glass or metal splinter, the…
