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.
Follicular mucinosis is a dermatosis based on degenerative changes in the pilosebaceal apparatus due to the deposition of mucin in it with the development of scar and non–scar type alopecia. Mucinous alopecia is characterized by itching of the skin, the appearance of small papules on the head and trunk, hyperkeratotic plaques, the formation of areas…
Folliculitis is an infectious lesion of the middle and deep parts of the hair follicle, leading to its purulent inflammation. Disease can have bacterial, fungal, viral, parasitic etiology. It manifests itself by the appearance of single or multiple pustules in the places of hair growth, along the center of which the hair passes. The opened…
Cellulitis neck is a purulent–inflammatory disease, which is characterized by the involvement of deep cellular spaces of the neck and mediastinal organs in the pathological process, and poses a danger to the patient’s life. It is manifested by rapidly increasing compaction, local fever, redness of the skin, symptoms of general intoxication. Pain significantly limits the…
Cellulitis hand is a diffuse purulent lesion that spreads through the cellular spaces of the palm and the tissues of the back of the hand. The main etiological factor is called staphylococcal infection, less often the disease is caused by streptococci, gram-negative bacteria. The disease is manifested by severe pain in the affected area, swelling…
Phlebotodermia (mosquito dermatosis) is an itchy parasitic entomosis characterized by the reaction of sensitized dermis to the bite of a mosquito of the genus Phlebotomus. It is clinically manifested by the development of inflammation within the first hour after a mosquito bite in the form of hyperemia, against which itchy blisters form. Over time, they…
Phytophotodermatitis is an inflammatory skin change that occurs when exposed to chemicals contained in plants. Phytophotodermatitis develops at the site of skin contact with the plant and can manifest itself as redness, erythematous spots, blisters, blisters, necrosis areas. Inflammatory skin changes are usually accompanied by burning, itching or soreness. In the diagnosis, a simple dermatological…
Fibroepithelial nevus is a benign melanomoneurophic skin formation up to 1.5 cm in size, located on the leg and having a soft consistency. The pigmentation of the nevus can vary from the color of ordinary skin to brown. In the diagnosis of fibroepithelial nevus, the leading role is assigned to the examination of a dermatologist…
Favus is a mycotic disease in which smooth skin is affected. Hair, nails and internal organs are rarely affected. The disease is manifested by the presence of crusts and scales on the skin, alopecia, nail changes. Diagnosis is mainly laboratory: microscopic detection of fungus in scrapings. Treatment usually includes systemic antimycotic therapy, treatment of affected…
Nodular melanoma is one of the types of melanoma characterized by rapid progression and an unfavorable prognosis. Unlike other types of melanoma, it does not have a horizontal growth phase, it grows vertically from the very beginning, penetrates deeply into the underlying tissues. It is a dark brown, grayish, black or dark blue domed exophytic…
Nodulocystic acne is one of the forms of acne of adolescence, manifested by the formation of deep infiltrative elements on the face and trunk or cavities filled with pus. The resolution is accompanied by a scarring process. Diagnostics includes examination by a dermatologist, skin pH-metry, dermatoscopy, bacposev with an antibioticogram. With nodulocystic acne, general and…
