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.
Ear eczema is a chronic recurrent allergic skin disease caused by serous inflammation of the epidermis and dermis. The main clinical symptoms are severe itching, burning, hyperemia, swelling, papulo-vesicular rash, followed by wet erosions, crusts, peeling and lichenification. The diagnosis is based on the results of an external examination and dermatoscopy, which, if necessary, are supplemented…
Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease that has a long–term chronic course with frequent exacerbations. It is characterized by polymorphic rashes undergoing the stages of redness – formation of nodules – bubbles – wet erosions – crusts – peeling. Rashes are accompanied by burning, skin itching. There is a high probability of secondary purulent infection.…
Swimmer’s itch is a dermatological disease of a parasitic nature caused by infection of the skin with larvae (cercariae) of schistosomes (one of the genera of flatworms or trematodes). Symptoms of this condition are skin itching, the appearance of red spots and papules on the skin, urticaria and allergic edema. In rare cases, there is…
Acne conglobata is a severe variant of acne that persists into adulthood. It is characterized by the fusion of individual comedones with the formation of dense infiltrates of spherical shape and blue-purple color, the opening of which is accompanied by the discharge of pus. When resolved, acne conglobata leaves behind rough scars. Diagnosis is based…
Chancriform pyoderma is an atypical purulent–inflammatory skin lesion characterized by the similarity of clinical manifestations with syphilitic solid chancre, which is reflected in the name. The symptom of this disease is the development of a single ulcer (rarely multiple formations), most often localized in the genital area or on the red border of the lips,…
Scabies is a common parasitic skin disease caused by the scabies mite Sarcoptes scabiei. and is highly contagious. It is manifested by skin rashes on the abdomen and thighs, between which scabies passages are visible, severe itching and scratching of the skin. Vitropression, dermatoscopy, and scraping examination are performed to confirm the clinical diagnosis. Treatment…
Tinea nigra is a dermatological disease of a fungal nature that affects the surface layers of the skin of the palms and soles, the areas of the trunk, shoulders and forearms are less likely to suffer. Any subjective symptoms (itching, soreness, burning) this condition does not have, almost its only manifestation is the formation of…
Acanthosis nigricans is a type of acquired skin dystrophy characterized by papillomatosis, hyperkeratosis and hyperpigmentation of the skin. Clinically, it proceeds with the presence of foci of dark skin color in natural folds, papillary or warty outgrowths. For morphological confirmation of the diagnosis, a skin biopsy is performed. In order to determine the cause of…
Black piedra is a dermatological hair disease of a fungal nature, mainly characteristic of tropical countries with warm and humid climates. This condition is manifested by the appearance on the hair of the head (less often – a beard or mustache) of inconspicuous black nodules measuring 1-2 millimeters of rocky density, in the future –…
Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans is a pathological skin change of an atrophic nature corresponding to the third stage of borreliosis. The first clinical symptom of the pathological process is erythema cyanosis, which develops against the background of unpleasant subjective sensations, minor skin soreness, arthralgia. Over time, atrophy phenomena occur in the area of the spot, the…
