Diagnosis and management of skin diseases

The department of dermatology deals with the diagnosis, management, and prevention of skin diseases. Aesthetics and skin rejuvenation is another portion of it. Additionally, a skin care specialist deals with diagnosis and management of sexually transmitted diseases and Leprosy.

Diagnosis of a skin disease is often challenging for an ordinary physician, as most of the lesions look alike with similar manifestations. This is a very common reason why skin diseases get wrongly diagnosed and mismanaged. Additionally, medicines are easily available over the counter in common pharmacies in our context. This imparts a huge burden to the diagnosis and management of skin diseases.

For a proper diagnosis of skin disease, an eye examination of the skin lesions along with an examination of nail, hair, oral cavity and genitalia are often mandatory. A magnified view using a dermatoscope (or Trichscope for hair disorders) is often performed. In rare instances a skin biopsy and additional blood investigations are needed to come to a diagnosis.

Management of skin diseases needs a holistic approach. Most of the diseases are treatable with excellent outcomes. However a proper compliance with the medications and follow up is of utmost importance. Many diseases as psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, melisma, acne may recur after proper treatment as well. Thus a proper counselling of the disease regarding its exacerbating factors is also needed.

Aesthetics and skin rejuvenation is another big part of dermatology. People tend to come for hair transplant, wrinkle reductions, altered facial configuration, childhood and acne scars, facial unwanted hair growth