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.
Chronic ulcerative-vegetative pyoderma is a deep purulent—inflammatory skin disease caused by staphylo-streptococcal infection and manifested by the formation of long-existing ulcerative defects with vegetative growths on the periphery. Diagnosis of chronic ulcerative-vegetative pyoderma consists in carrying out an examination, examination of the separated ulcers with the determination of the causative agent of the disease, detection…
Chronic diffuse streptodermia is a recurrent diffuse inflammation of the skin of coccoid etiology. The primary elements are flat bulls that appear against the background of edematous erythema, merging, forming large foci with uneven edges. Serous-purulent blisters are eroded, covered with crusts, new ones appear nearby. The skin is diffusely infiltrated. The disease is diagnosed…
Chromhidrosis is the staining of sweat gland secretions in red, yellow, blue, green and other colors. Disease can be caused by the synthesis of a specific pigment in the apocrine glands, the release of chemicals that have entered the body with sweat, or the formation of coloring substances as a result of the vital activity…
Chondroid syringoma (mucinous hydradenoma) is a solitary chondroid-epithelial tumor of the skin of a benign nature. The primary elements are small nodules of dense elastic consistency that appear spontaneously on the previously unchanged skin of the trunk. They rise above the level of the dermis, have a smooth surface, have slow peripheral growth, sometimes ulcerate.…
Cold urticaria is an inflammatory skin change that develops as a response to its cooling. It manifests itself in the form of red itchy spots, the surface of which is prone to peeling and cracking. Cold urticaria is localized on the face, ears, neck, hands, knees or thighs. It may be accompanied by a runny nose and…
Cholinergic urticaria is a rare autoimmune type of allergic urticaria. Clinically characterized by acute (within an hour) rash of small itchy bubbles with serous contents in open areas of the skin. The rash tends to spread, accompanied by a prodroma. It is diagnosed on the basis of anamnesis, clinical manifestations, provocative tests for acetylcholine, artificial…
Chloasma is a focal hyperpigmentation of the skin of various sizes, located most often on the face and having clear boundaries. Chloasma has the appearance of a spot of light brown, brown or brownish color. It can be multiple in nature. The diagnosis is established according to the typical clinical picture and localization of pigmentation,…
Furunculosis is a purulent–necrotic disease of the hair follicle and near-follicular connective tissue. The primary inflammatory element is the inflammatory node that forms around the hair follicle. The main cause is staphylococcal infections. A typical dermatological picture, signs of inflammation in a clinical blood test and the results of bacteriological seeding of the separated skin…
Boil (furuncle) is an acute purulent inflammation of the hair follicle that engulfs the surrounding soft tissues and the adjacent sebaceous gland. The boil begins with the formation of a dense infiltrate, in the center of which a necrotic rod is formed, ending in a pustule. Then there is an opening of the pustule, the…
Phrynoderma is a rare skin pathology associated with a lack of retinol in the body against the background of violations of its consumption or absorption in the intestine. It is clinically manifested by the process of keratinization in the area of hair follicles, resembling the hyperkeratotic “grater phenomenon”, which eventually turns the patient’s skin into…
