ACNE
Sebaceous glands play a major role in the inflammatory skin condition known as acne (pimples). Despite usually affecting the face, it can also affect the arms, back, and chest. Most teens and young adults suffer from acne, which usually starts during puberty. But it may happen to anyone at any age. The mid-twenties is usually when it starts to fade. Yet, there are some situations when it goes beyond 25 years or may start over. It is known as an adult or late-onset acne. The aggravating factors include genetics, pre- menstrual flare, use of cosmetics, PCOS, dietary habits etc.
Although seeing a dermatologist early on can help prevent post-acne scarring, acne can be successfully treated at any stage of the disease’s progression.
Topical (applied to the skin) and systemic drugs (which is taken internally) are among the available treatments. The majority of patients might need a mix of both treatments. For a quicker and more successful course of treatment, certain patients might also need laser, chemical peel, and other technologies.
ACNE SCARS
As a result of severe acne, the skin develops indentations and permanent textural changes known as acne scars. Although it can happen even with the right medical treatment, acne scarring is frequently the result of poor and/or delayed medical care. Fibrosis and permanent changes to the texture of the skin result from inflammation brought on by acne’s damage to collagen and other tissues.
There are many types of acne scars – keloidal/ hypertrophic, icepick, boxscar, rolling and atrophic. Acne scar treatment options include cosmetic procedures like microdermabrasion, chemical peeling, chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS), dermal fillers, and minor surgery. Dermabrasion, Subcision, Fat Transfer, Punch Techniques for scar revision, Skin Needling (Percutaneous Collagen Induction Therapy), and Laser Resurfacing are examples of skin resurfacing procedures done at our clinic.
FUNGAL INFECTION
Skin, hair, and nail infections from dermatophytes are superficial fungal infections. Ringworm is another name for it. It is referred to as padarthamarai or vandukadi in Tamil.
Direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person and the sharing of common household items (fomites) are the two main ways that dermatophyte infection spreads. It occurs more frequently in tropical climates. The development of this condition is predisposed by high temperatures, high humidity, and an enclosed atmosphere. A high risk for the development of this condition includes conditions like diabetes mellitus, HIV infection, and people taking steroids or anticancer medications. Contributing factors include family member infection, sloppy cleaning, increased perspiration, self-medication or topical steroid use, steroid-antifungal combinations, and poor hygiene.
Severe itching and skin lesions in the form of round, red spots with elevated borders are the symptoms of dermatophyte infection. The most frequently affected places are the body’s folds, particularly the groins (thus the phrase “jockey itch”), armpits, and regions below the breasts. The infection may spread to the thigh, buttocks, and abdomen. Yet it can happen anywhere on the body.
Contact a dermatologist since the clinical appearance of the lesions, which include itching, makes it easy to identify. There are numerous systemic and topical antifungals available for therapy. Never use self-medication. Do not purchase creams over-the-counter or on the advice of pharmacists, neighbours, friends, or family members. For skin problems, a dermatologist should be consulted.
VITILIGO
Vitiligo is a skin condition caused by the loss of pigment producing cells, called the melanocytes. These cells produce melanin which imparts color to the skin. The loss of this pigment leads to white patches on the skin. It is an autoimmune condition with underlying genetic predisposition. The triggers for the disease are trauma, stress, dietary habits. Vitiligo is not contagious therefore doesn’t spread by touch.
All white patches are not vitiligo. Proper consultation with a dermatologist is necessary to diagnose the condition. Treatment modalities include topical and oral medications, phototherapy, excimer laser, surgery and tattooing.
MELASMA
Melasma (derived from Greek word- melas) is an acquired pigmentary condition of sun- exposed skin, often manifesting as dark patches. Chloasma is another word which is often used to describe Melasma developing during pregnancy.
Common contributory factors include sun exposure, pregnancy, drugs such as phenytoin, oral contraceptive pills or hormone replacement therapy, family history, hypothyroidism and autoimmunity. It appears more commonly in women than men as brown, grey or black patches affecting the sun-exposed areas. Typically, the chin, nose, upper lip, forehead, and cheeks are the areas affected in a symmetrical manner.
Treatment includes strict sun protection, a combination of various treatment modalities (topical, oral, and procedural) is beneficial. In cases where the skin is resistant to treatment, chemical peels with glycolic acid, lactic acid, laser therapy with pigment lasers (Q-switched Nd YAG, Q- switched ruby and Alexandrite devices) intense pulsed light (IPL), carbon dioxide or erbium: YAG resurfacing lasers, mechanical dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are used.
ATOPIC DERMATITIS
Chronic atopic eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis, or AD) is a very itchy skin condition. It often appears in infancy or the early years of childhood. The factors that the skin does not like and which aggravate eczema are known as triggers. Extreme weather conditions, such as extremely cold and dry weather and extremely hot and humid weather, sweating, strong soaps and shampoos, cloth detergents, and fabric softeners, woollens, synthetic fibers, rough and ill-fitting clothes, furry soft toys, contact with animals, and swimming are a few of these. Food allergies are common in infants and young children.
Atopic dermatitis causes excruciating itching. It’s embarrassing when an itching paroxysm breaks out because it can happen anywhere. It could be red, flaky, occasionally oozing, and covered in scabs. The skin is extremely dry. Infants experience symptoms on their face, scalp, and extensor surfaces of their limbs. As the child ages, the rash becomes more concentrated in the folds of the extremities, flaky dry skin may be visible behind the knees and thighs, and the neck region may appear dark.
The treatment options include regular use of moisturizers, avoiding the trigger factors, systemic antibiotics, other medications, and phototherapy.
GENITAL ITCHING
Genital itching is the most common presenting symptom of numerous conditions and thus requires a systematic approach to establish the correct diagnosis. Allergies, psoriasis, ulcers, viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, as well as some cancers, are among the causes. General measures to prevent it are practicing good hygiene, breaking the itch scratch cycle- cutting fingernails short, temporarily avoiding scented soaps and other products that may cause irritation, Wear plain, dry cotton underwear; avoid using laundry products.
WART
A wart is a typical rough growth of the skin brought on by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The virus spreads from person to person through direct contact or objects and enters the body through areas of damaged skin. Sharing shaving kits or after-salon activities are other ways it can spread. It is a completely curable condition if treatment is started at the earliest. It is treated by oral drugs and certain procedures like electrofulguration, cryotherapy and surgical excision.
SKIN TAG
Skin tags, are raised, flat lesions that are most frequently found on the face, neck, and underarm area. They are more frequently observed in people with a family history of diabetes and/or insulin resistance and have a genetic predisposition. They can easily be removed using dermatosurgical techniques. Although the most popular methods involve the use of radio frequency energy and/or electrocautery, simple superficial excision provides more attractive results with no discernible scarring.