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Travellers returning from the tropics frequently present with skin problems. 1 The vast majority will have a common dermatosis, such as eczema, acne, psoriasis or a simple skin infection. A small proportion will have contracted one of the tropical or exotic skin diseases, such as leishmaniasis, tungiasis, cutaneous larva migrans or myiasis. A clear history and careful examination are needed...
Benign skin lesions are common. Sun-induced freckles and solar lentigines occur most frequently. Melanocytic naevi and seborrhoeic keratoses are also very common and, as the differential diagnosis of these lesions includes malignant melanoma, accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure appropriate management. Other common lesions include epidermoid cysts, dermatofibromas, cherry angiomas and pyogenic...
There are many causes of skin blisters (bullae) and an accurate and timely diagnosis impacts on management and prognosis. The key to diagnosis of autoimmune blistering diseases is in the history, clinical findings and skin sampling. By determining the level of blister formation within the skin, appropriate treatment can be commenced. If systemic vasculitis is suspected a full systemic screen is vital...
Skin cancer, of various types, is the most common cancer in the UK and rates are rising dramatically. The disease is being seen on a daily basis not only by dermatologists and plastic surgeons but by all healthcare professionals. As a result, there is a crucial need to educate all these groups in how to recognize patients with skin cancer. The basic rule of physical examination applies, with due emphasis...
Itching (pruritus) is a distressing symptom of many skin diseases, as well as systemic, neurological or psychosomatic disorders. Itching is the sensation defined as the reflex or desire to scratch the skin. Chronic itching has a similar impact on the quality of life as chronic pain. The pathophysiology of itch is implicated in the mechanisms and pathways that are described for pain. Itch is caused...
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world and its incidence is increasing rapidly. Skin cancers are broadly divided into melanoma skin cancer and non-melanoma skin cancer, the majority of which are derived from cells within the epidermis. Melanoma originates from melanocytes whereas non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, originate from...
This article provides an overview of some of the common dermatological disorders that are of particular interest to the acute physician. These conditions are classified under three major headings: i) autoimmune diseases involving the skin (lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, scleroderma, lichen sclerosus and vitiligo); ii) multisystem diseases with skin manifestations (diabetes mellitus, thyroid...
The hair and nail are appendages of the skin. They both hang off it and are part of it. Their growth, condition and integrity are indicators of both local and systemic pathologies. Age results in significant changes in hair growth with characteristic patterns of baldness evolving with time. Excess hair is largely a complaint of women, in whom it may represent part of the normal spectrum of pigmented...
Genetic skin diseases encompass a spectrum from the common to the rare. It is important for the clinician to be alert to the possibility that the patient may be presenting for the first time with one or more features of a genetic disease so that appropriate investigation and counselling can take place. Recent discoveries have helped the understanding of many of these disorders. A few common and important...
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