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.
Erythema nodosum is an inflammatory lesion of the skin and subcutaneous vessels, having an allergic genesis and manifested by the formation of dense painful hemispherical inflammatory nodes of various sizes. Most often, the process is localized on symmetrical areas of the lower extremities. Diagnosis is based on data from dermatological examination, laboratory tests, lung radiography,…
Milker’s nodule are itchy professional dermatosis of viral etiology that occurs in patients who come into contact with infected animals. Clinically manifested by a nodular rash on the background of unchanged skin. Primary elements of a pinkish hue with a diameter of up to 1 cm, have the shape of a hemisphere, have a tendency…
Baby acne is a skin rash in the form of small white dots located mainly on the skin of the chin, cheeks and nasolabial folds. Baby acne occurs in children of the first 6 months of life and is associated with hormonal changes occurring in the body. When they appear, adequate care of the baby’s…
Blackheads is a particular manifestation of acne – skin rash elements, and does not reflect the full clinical picture of the disease. The concept of “blackheads” includes various types of rashes in adolescence, as well as a group of dermatoses with like rashes (rosacea, small nodular sarcoidosis of the face, perioral dermatitis, skin tuberculosis). Depending…
Lupus vulgaris is a common form of caseous-necrotic tuberculous skin lesion, affecting mainly the face and upper half of the trunk. It is manifested by the formation of tubercles (lupus) with ulceration, gradually merging together, partial or complete disfigurement of the face. It is diagnosed by dermatological examination, examination of the separated skin (microscopy, PCR),…
Skin tuberculosis is a severe infectious disease that has a long course with frequent relapses, due to the colonization of the skin and subcutaneous tissue with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The symptoms of this condition are extremely diverse, for this reason, some researchers believe that mycobacteria are the cause of a whole group of dermatological pathologies. Diagnostics…
Ringworm is a mycotic lesion of smooth skin, hair, nails by fungi of the genus Trichophyton. It is characterized by the formation of inflammatory foci with clear boundaries, peeling. The affected hair becomes brittle, breaks off above the skin level and sticks out in the form of stumps. The disease is highly contagious. Deep skin…
Traumatic dermatitis (mechanical dermatitis) is an inflammatory reaction of the skin that occurs in response to mechanical action (pressure, friction). Traumatic dermatitis is local in nature and usually passes when the causal factor is eliminated. Its clinical forms include: dropsy, scuffing, numbness, corn, diaper rash. Diagnosis includes examination, dermatoscopy, bacteriological examination of the discharge or…
Erythema toxicum is a local change in the color of the skin and mucous membranes of an inflammatory nature against the background of general intoxication of the body. Clinically, the pathological process is characterized by polymorphic rashes, since erythema toxicum with the passage of time and the aggravation of sensitization of the body is able…
Toxic melanodermia (Rhyl’s melanosis) is a melanotic occupational dermatosis caused by the toxic effect of petroleum products, coal and photosensitization. The peculiarity of the disease is the possibility of occurrence, both in production and in everyday life, when using furnace heating, heating with kerosene, gas. Dermatosis proceeds in stages, the first manifestation of melanodermia is…
