What is a dermatologist
Dermatological are diseases that affect humans
or the outer skin of the animal and these diseases are contagious or
non-contagious, according to the type of disease, since the skin is one of the
most organs in the body vulnerable to external and environmental impacts, and
be linked to the rest of the members of the body, such as the nervous system,
endocrine and others, which sends signals to appear on the skin, the
epidermis.
What is the most common skin
disorders?
Common skin diseases include
Skin cancer
Warts
Fungal infections
Dermatitis
Psoriasis - a skin disorder which affects
100,000 New Zealanders.
Acne affects every teenager to one degree or
another.
Hand dermatitis, resulting from external
contact with detergents and household chemicals affects most women with young
families.
One in six of all children develop atopic
eczema
One in five persons suffers from cold sores
(herpes simplex).
We will
discuss in detail all later.
Skin cancer
Skin Cancer Overview
Skin cancers include melanoma, basal cell, and
squamous cell. Basal and squamous cell are common and treatment is very
effective. Malignant melanoma can be difficult to treat. Early diagnosis and
treatment can increase the survival rate from melanoma.
There are three major types of skin cancer
1-
basal cell carcinoma.
2-
squamous cell carcinoma.
3-
melanoma.
Symptoms of
skin cancer
You may not have any symptoms in the early
stages of melanoma. Or a melanoma may be sore, or it may itch or bleed.
Most melanomas start as a new skin growth on
unmarked skin. The growth may change color, shape, or size. These types of
changes are an early sign that the growth is melanoma. But melanoma can also
develop in an existing mole or other marks on the skin. Or it may look like a
bruise that isn't healing or show up as a brown or black streak under a
fingernail or toenail.
Melanoma can grow anywhere on the body. It most
often occurs on the upper back in men and women and on the legs in women. Less
often, it can grow in other places, such as on the soles, palms, nail beds, or
mucous membranes that line body cavities such as the mouth, the rectum, and the
vagina.
On older people, the face is the most common
place for melanoma to grow. And in older men, the most common sites are the
neck, scalp
Signs and
symptoms of less common skin cancers
Other, less common types of skin cancer
include:
Kaposi sarcoma. This rare form of skin cancer
develops in the skin blood vessels and causes red or purple patches on the skin
or mucous membranes.
Kaposi sarcoma mainly occurs in people with
weakened immune systems, such as people with AIDS, and in people taking
medications that suppress their natural immunity, such as people who've
undergone organ transplants.
Other people with an increased risk of Kaposi
sarcoma include young men living in Africa or older men of Italian or Eastern
European Jewish heritage.
Merkel cell carcinoma. Merkel cell carcinoma
causes firm, shiny nodules that occur on or just beneath the skin and in hair
follicles. Merkel cell carcinoma is most often found on the head, neck, and
trunk.
Sebaceous gland carcinoma. This uncommon and
aggressive cancer originates in the oil glands in the skin. Sebaceous gland
carcinomas — which usually appear as hard, painless nodules — can develop
anywhere, but most occur on the eyelid, where they're frequently mistaken for
other eyelid problems.
Causes:-
Skin cancer occurs when errors (mutations)
occur in the DNA of skin cells. The mutations cause the cells to grow out of
control and form a mass of cancer cells.
Cells involved in skin cancer:
Skin cancer begins in your skin's top layer —
the epidermis. The epidermis is a thin layer that provides a protective cover
of skin cells that your body continually sheds. The epidermis contains three
main types of cells:
Squamous cells lie just below the outer surface
and function as the skin's inner lining.
Basal cells, which produce new skin cells, sit
beneath the squamous cells.
Melanocytes — which produce melanin, the
pigment that gives skin its normal color — are located in the lower part of
your epidermis. Melanocytes produce more melanin when you're in the sun to help
protect the deeper layers of your skin.
Where your skin cancer begins determines its
type and your treatment options.
Risk factors
:-
·
Fair skin. Anyone, regardless of skin color, can get skin cancer.
However, having less pigment (melanin) in your skin provides less protection
from damaging UV radiation. If you have blond or red hair and light-colored
eyes, and you freckle or sunburn easily, you're much more likely to develop
skin cancer that is a person with darker skin.
·
A history of sunburns. Having had one or more blistering sunburns
as a child or teenager increases your risk of developing skin cancer as an
adult. Sunburns in adulthood also are a risk factor.
·
Sunny or high-altitude climates. People who live in sunny, warm
climates are exposed to more sunlight than are people who live in colder
climates. Living at higher elevations, where the sunlight is strongest, also
exposes you to more radiation.
·
A family history of skin cancer. If one of your parents or a
sibling has had skin cancer, you may have an increased risk of the disease.
·
A weakened immune system. People with weakened immune systems have
a greater risk of developing skin cancer. This includes people living with
HIV/AIDS and those taking immunosuppressant drugs after an organ transplant.
Prevention:-
Most skin cancers are preventable. To protect
yourself, follow these skin cancer prevention tips:
1-Avoid the sun during the middle of the day.
For many people in North America, the sun's rays are strongest between about 10
a.m. and 4 p.m. Schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day, even in
winter or when the sky is cloudy.
You absorb UV radiation year-round, and clouds
offer little protection from damaging rays. Avoiding the sun at its strongest
helps you avoid the sunburns and suntans that cause skin damage and increase
your risk of developing skin cancer. Sun exposure accumulated over time also
may cause skin cancer.
2- Wear sunscreen year-round. Sunscreens don't
filter out all harmful UV radiation, especially the radiation that can lead to
melanoma. But they play a major role in an overall sun protection program.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of
at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more
often if you're swimming or perspiring. Use a generous amount of sunscreen on
all exposed skin, including your lips, the tips of your ears, and the backs of
your hands and neck.
3- Be aware of sun-sensitizing medications. Some common prescription and
over-the-counter drugs, including antibiotics, can make your skin more
sensitive to sunlight.
Ask your doctor or
pharmacist about the side effects of any medications you take. If they increase
your sensitivity to sunlight, take extra precautions to stay out of the sun in
order to protect your skin.
4- Avoid tanning beds. Lights used in tanning
beds emit UV rays and can increase your risk of skin cancer.
