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.
Sweat gland disease cause discomfort and discomfort to patients in the first place, as well as contribute to the development of other skin diseases.The sweat glands on the human body are unevenly distributed. There are most of them in the armpit, in the groin area, on the palms and soles. The function of sweat glands…
Lichen nitidus is one of the rare chronic skin diseases of unclear genesis and mechanism of development. Mostly boys of preschool age are ill. The primary element of the rash is considered to be a granuloma – a dense nodule, the size of a pinhead, resembling a focus of productive inflammation in tuberculosis, rheumatism, syphilis,…
Basal cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor of the skin that develops from the cells of the epidermis. It got its name because of the similarity of tumor cells with cells of the basal layer of the skin. Disease has the main signs of a malignant neoplasm: it grows into neighboring tissues and destroys them, recurs…
Atrophoderma is a variant of skin atrophy, which includes a number of diseases based on degenerative–atrophic processes in the epidermis and dermis. The disease has a tendency to a protracted course, has no gender component, is off-season. The clinic of each pathology included in the group of atrophoderma is specific; a common feature is the…
Skin atrophy is a heterogeneous group of chronic diseases, the main symptom of which is the thinning of the components of the skin: the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous fat. The process is based on the complete or partial destruction of collagen and elastic fibers – one of the main components of the connective tissue of…
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic non–contagious inflammatory skin lesion that occurs with periods of exacerbations and remissions. It is manifested by dryness, increased skin irritation and severe itching. It causes physical and psychological discomfort, reduces the quality of life of the patient at home, family and at work, outwardly presents cosmetic disadvantages. Continuous combing of…
Ear atheroma is a retention cyst of the duct of the sebaceous gland located on the earlobe. Pathology occurs as a consequence of blockage of the excretory passage against the background of increased viscosity of fat secretion, injuries of the sebaceous glands or congenital anatomical features of their structure. Atheroma looks like a small nodule…
Atheroma is a cyst of the sebaceous gland, which is a cavity filled with a mushy secret. It has the appearance of a subcutaneously located, rounded, uplifting formation of a soft-elastic consistency. The atheroma easily shifts relative to the underlying tissues and slowly increases in volume, sometimes reaching 7-10 cm in diameter. The diagnosis is…
Argyria is a dermatological disease that occurs due to the increased intake of silver ions into the body and its subsequent deposition in the skin and its appendages. The main symptom of the disease is darkening of the skin and mucous membranes up to a bluish-gray shade, in severe cases, visual disturbances are also observed.…
Anetoderma is a focal atrophy of the skin with an unclear etiology, in which there is a predominant lesion of the elastic fibers of the dermis. Symptoms of this disease are the appearance of foci of various shapes and sizes on the skin of the trunk and extremities, the level of which is below or…
