WHAT DO WE TREAT?
Around 2000 skin diseases have been described and the experts at The Devonshire Clinic have the experience and expertise to diagnose and treat any of them. Some are more common than others and the main conditions we treat on a regular basis are listed here.
This is an inflammatory condition of the skin that often occurs in childhood, causing itchy, dry skin that can become blistered and cracked and may thicken over time.
Several types of eczema/dermatitis are known. The most common is a systemic type called atopic eczema/dermatitis. Other forms of eczema, such as allergic contact dermatitis, or irritant contact dermatitis, are a direct response to something that comes into contact with the skin.
Eczema is usually treated with topical creams but it may require ultraviolet phototherapy or specialist medications, some of which must be prescribed by a qualified dermatologist.
This is a common condition that causes spots, from blackheads to pus-filled pustules. Acne is often a problem during puberty as a result of hormonal changes in the body. Mild cases can be treated with topical antibiotics and retinoids, but in more severe cases oral antibiotics or retinoids may be necessary.
Find out more about acne…
Many skin conditions can cause unsightly scarring, which can cause distress, particularly if the scars are on the face. Find out more about scarring…
Treatments range from surgical solutions to laser and light therapies.
Warts and veruccas
These are non-cancerous lumps of skin that develop anywhere on the body, either in isolation or in groups.
Verrucas are highly infectious warts that grow on the soles of the feet and are caused by some subtypes of the human papilloma virus (HPV).
Treatment involves the removal of the wart through surgery, cryotherapy (freezing) or chemical treatment.
Several skin conditions lead to sun sensitivity. The symptoms range from mild burning to serious illness when exposed to sunlight.
Common conditions include polymorphic light eruption, light sensitive eczema and solar urticaria.
Medically induced photosensitivity can occur after chemotherapy and other medication treatments.
- Skin infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi.
- Impetigo and erysipelas are bacterial skin infections.
- Cold sores, chicken pox and shingles are caused by viral infections. Cold sores are due to Herpes simplex, while shingles and chicken pox are due to the same virus – Herpes zoster.
- Dermatophytosis and various forms of tinea are caused by yeasts and fungi.
This skin condition characterised by flaky, crusty patches, often with silvery scales, especially on the scalp, knees and elbows.
Psoriasis cannot be cured but symptoms can be managed with topical medications, ultraviolet phototherapy treatment or systemic medications.
Find out more about psoriasis…
A chronic and incurable skin condition that mainly affects the face. It causes blushing and reddening of the skin, sometimes with a rash.
In severe cases swelling and excessive skin growth around the nose can develop.
Rosacea can be treated with anti-inflammatories and IPL/laser treatments.
Thickened nose skin (rhinophyma) can be surgically removed.
Find out more about rosacea…
An allergic skin reaction that can show itself in several ways, from mild reddening and swelling to an angry, itchy rash.
Allergies are usually treated with antihistamines that are either applied to the skin (topical antihistamines) or taken by mouth (oral antihistamines). Topical creams are used to ease the swelling and itching.
Skin Lumps (skin tags, moles, lipomas, cysts)
Throughout our life, a number of lumps and bumps can appear on our skin. Thankfully, the vast majority of these are not serious. Examples of harmless skin growths include skin tags, lipomas, cysts and benign moles. Sometimes, these may catch on clothing, itch, feel uncomfortable or just look unsightly. If this happens, it is possible to have these growths removed by a simple procedure usually performed under local anaesthetic.