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.

Toxicoderma

Toxicoderma is an acute toxic—allergic inflammatory lesion of the skin that occurs when exposed to an allergen that penetrates the skin hematogenically. Toxicoderma is characterized by a variety of morphological elements of the rash (papules, vesicles, spots, pustules, blisters) and may be accompanied by damage to the mucous membranes. The diagnosis of toxicoderma is based…

Temperature Urticaria

Temperature urticaria is an allergic urticaria dermatosis that occurs as a response to the action of a temperature factor. The main clinical symptoms are itching and hyperemia, against which monomorphic blisters appear, existing for no more than 24 hours. Rashes may be accompanied by fever, headache, prodromal phenomena, intoxication. Temperature urticaria is diagnosed on the…

Subcorneal Pustular Dermatitis

Subcorneal pustular dermatitis is a rare chronic skin pathology of unclear etiology, characterized by bullous–pustular rashes. It is clinically manifested by the appearance of erythema, against which small flictenes with acantholytic cells inside and a red border around the perimeter are formed. The elements have clear boundaries and are prone to grouping. They are localized on…

Streptococcal Impetigo

Streptococcal impetigo (contagious impetigo) is a contagious skin disease of streptococcal etiology, manifested by a rash in the form of small bubbles (flickten) with a hyperemic edematous base. Bubbles tend to increase and merge, after their resolution, pinkish spots remain on the skin for a while. Diagnosis of streptococcal impetigo includes examination, dermatoscopy, skin pH…

Streptococcal Skin Infections

Streptococcal skin infections is a dermatological disease that is caused by highly virulent streptococci and is characterized by the development of serous inflammation without suppuration. In adults, against the background of severe intoxication in the foci of bacterial reproduction, a sluggish localized or generalized inflammatory process is observed with a sharp swelling of the affected…

Liver Spots

Liver spots is a type of simple benign pigment spot that occurs under the influence of ultraviolet rays against the background of age–related metabolic disorders. It appears in elderly patients who in their youth did not protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation. It is a flat brown pigment spot with blurred borders up to 1 cm…

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcal skin infections is a group of pyoderma of bacterial etiology caused by microorganisms from the staphylococcus group. The symptoms of this condition and their severity vary depending on the form of the skin lesion, the type of reactivity of the body, the presence of concomitant disorders (decreased activity of immunity, skin damage). Diagnosis of…

Senile Pruritus

Senile pruritus is a type of idiopathic pruritus that develops in elderly people. Among the main causes of the problem are excessive dryness of the skin, chronic dermatoses, somatic diseases. Pathology is manifested by constant subjectively unpleasant sensations and the need for mechanical irritation of the skin for their relief. Comprehensive diagnosis requires dermatoscopy, a standard set…

Senile Keratoma

Senile keratoma is a single or multiple benign formation of the skin of elderly people, which is a rounded pigmented plaque with a diameter of up to several centimeters, covered with layers of keratinized epithelium. Senile keratoma is located on the skin of the face, neck, hands and forearms. Possible malignant degeneration of keratoma with…

Solar Dermatitis

Solar dermatitis is an inflammatory reaction of the skin, induced by sunlight and proceeding according to the type of allergic reaction. Solar dermatitis is manifested by redness and puffiness of the skin, the appearance of rashes on it by the type of urticaria. The disease can recur, acquire a chronic course, transform into eczema. In…