Skin conditions

Acne may be painful, distressing and socially limiting. It affects most people in varying severity at some point in their lives. Fortunately good treatments now exist and are individualised and formulated to fit your specific situation. 

 

Acne is a medical condition caused by blockage of the pilosebacous unit that consists of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous or oil gland.  It develops due to a complex interplay of factors including hormones, genetics, medical conditions and environmental triggers.

 

Other skin conditions may resemble acne (including skin infections, papulopustular rosacea, pityrosporum folliculitis), so it's important to first confirm the correct diagnosis as other conditions may require specific treatments.

Eczema (also called dermatitis) can involve any area of skin on the body (eyelids, hands, genitals). Although it is most common in children, eczema may appear at any age.

 

Eczema bears some similarity to other rashes including psoriasis, autoimmune related conditions and rosacea. 

 

Several different forms of eczema exist including:

• atopic eczema

• seborrheic eczema

• allergic contact eczema

• irritant contact eczema

• venous/stasis eczema

• dyshidrotic eczema

• nummular eczema

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Sometimes lifestyle changes can be important in treating eczema. Other treatments for eczema include topical treatments such as skin creams, ointments or lotions, tablet treatments, injections and phototherapy. We tailor your treatment plan to fit your eczema and your individual situation.  

Psoriasis affects up to 4% of the general healthy population and can start at any age. It may appear as small or large red patches of skin with silvery scale "plaques".  It may affect any area of skin, including the scalp, elbows  and knees. Some people who have skin psoriasis may also develop psoriasis in their nails or inflamed joints (psoriatic arthritis), metabolic syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. 

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The reason why people develop psoriasis is not fully known but genetics play a role. Psoriasis may worsen during or after times of stress. Factors that can sometimes worsen psoriasis include throat infections, skin injuries (or friction), dry skin, certain medications (beta blockers, ibuprofen and lithium), alcohol and cigarette smoking.

 

Approaches that may help to improve psoriasis include healthy exercise and diet, topical skin application (creams, lotions, ointment or foam), light therapy, or treatment with tablets or injections. In recent years new treatments for Psoriasis have become available which help people with psoriasis regain normal happy healthy lives. 

Rosacea encompasses a range of  symptoms including flushing, facial pimples, redness, sensitivity, burning or itching, texture changes (scale, bumpy or thickened skin), eye irritation. Rosacea is categorised into the following medical conditions: 

• Erythematoteliangiectatic rosacea (troublesome redness, skin sensitivity, easily irritated skin and visible blood vessels)

• Papular pustular rosacea (acne-like pimples, pustules and bumps)

• Rhynophyma (thickening of the skin and tissues of the nose)

• Occular rosacea (irrigation and discomfort of the eyes)

 

Rosacea may sometimes appear similar to other conditions (such as eczema or acne) but requires specific treatment to settle symptoms. 

The skin's pigmentation forms part of its natural defence from sunlight. Sometimes pigmentation becomes irregular, reduced or increased - this may be due to inflammatory or immune conditions, sometimes related to hormones, environmental factors, endocrine irregularities or genetics.

 

These medical conditions include vitiligo, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, ashy dermatosis and many more. Various treatments are available for specific conditions once they have been accurately diagnosed. 

Dry skin conditions (sometimes called ichthyosis) and itch (pruritus) may be genetic or acquired (perhaps due to a medication, nutritional issue, nerve causes or external trigger). These conditions may require proper investigation and diagnosis with treatment to address the root of the problem.

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Dry skin can itch, crack or flake and may sometimes even bleed. Eczema and dry skin can sometimes be associated. ​​​

The role of the immune system is to defend us from external pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. Sometimes, however, our immune system attacks our own tissues, such as skin, joints or internal organs - this is known as autoimmunity.

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Autoimmune conditions that can affect the skin include Lupus, Pemphigus, Pemphigoid, Pyoderma gangrenosa, Vasculitis, Dermatomyositis, Dermatitis herpetiformis, Behçet's disease, Lichen planus, Morphea and Scleroderma.

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Autoimmune skin conditions may have complex mechanisms and diagnosis may involve looking for a pattern of subtle symptoms or tests. Autoimmune skin conditions can sometimes be treated with application of medicated creams and sometimes require treatment with tablet or injection treatments to normalise the balance of the immune system. 

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