ABC of Dermatology

Rachael Morris-Jones, Rachael Morris-Jones

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781119489009
• Edition: 7
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Genetics in Medicine

ABC of Dermatology is the bestselling, practical guide for anyone involved in clinical dermatology. This fully illustrated book helps readers identify, recognise, treat, and manage the common dermatological conditions encountered in daily practice.

The seventh edition has been revised and updated to incorporate current approaches to the management of skin disease, such as the use of new biological agents for treating inflammatory disease and tumours, and new chapters on cosmetic dermatology procedures, genital dermatology and cutting-edge advances in genetics and pathophysiology.

• Presents a practical approach to clinical dermatology that relates skin changes to specific skin conditions and underlying pathology
• Summarises relevant pathological processes, diagnostic features, learning points, and treatment options for a range of conditions
• Offers hundreds of full-colour clinical photographs that illustrate manifestations of skin disease in a multitude of diverse skin tones and ethnic groups
• Covers a wide range of skin management treatments, from simple interventions to sophisticated immunotherapies
• Includes insights on the increasing use of teledermatology by remote doctors

ABC of Dermatology is a must-have guide for GPs, junior doctors, medical students, and primary healthcare professionals.

CHAPTER 1
Introduction

Rachael Morris‐Jones

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

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OVERVIEW

• The clinical features of skin lesions are related to the underlying pathological processes.
• Skin conditions broadly fall into three clinical groups: (i) those with a well‐defined appearance and distribution; (ii) those with a characteristic pattern but with a variety of underlying clinical conditions; (iii) those with a variable presentation and no constant association with underlying conditions.
• Skin lesions may be the presenting feature of serious systemic disease, and a significant proportion of skin conditions threaten the health, well‐being, and even the life of the patient.
• Clinical descriptive terms such as macule, papule, nodule, plaque, induration, atrophy, bulla, and erythema relate to what is observed at the skin surface and reflect the pathological processes underlying the affected skin.
• The significance of morphology and distribution of skin lesions in different clinical conditions are discussed.

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Introduction

The aim of this book is to provide an insight for the non‐dermatologist into the pathological processes, diagnosis, and management of skin conditions. Dermatology is a broad specialty, with over 2000 different skin diseases, the most common of which are introduced here. Pattern recognition is key to successful history‐taking and examination of the skin by experts, usually without the need for complex investigations. However, for those with less dermatological experience, working from first principles can go a long way in determining the diagnosis and management of patients with less severe skin disease. Although dermatology is a clinically oriented subject, an understanding of the cellular changes underlying the skin disease can give helpful insights into the pathological processes. This understanding aids the interpretation of clinical signs and overall management of cutaneous disease. Skin biopsies can be a useful adjuvant to reaching a diagnosis; however, clinico‐pathological correlation is essential in order that interpretation of the clinical and pathological patterns is put into the context of the patient.

Interpretation of clinical signs on the skin in the context of underlying pathological processes is a theme running through the chapters. This helps the reader develop a deeper understanding of the subject and should form some guiding principles that can be used as tools to help assess almost any skin eruption.

Clinically, cutaneous disorders fall into three main groups.

1. Those that generally present with a characteristic distribution and morphology that leads to a specific diagnosis – such as chronic plaque psoriasis (Figure 1.1), basal cell carcinoma, and atopic dermatitis.
2. A characteristic pattern of skin lesions with variable underlying causes – such as erythema nodosum (Figure 1.2) and erythema multiforme.
3. Skin rashes that can be variable in their presentation a...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• List of Contributors
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• CHAPTER 1: Introduction
• CHAPTER 2: Psoriasis
• CHAPTER 3: Management of Psoriasis
• CHAPTER 4: Eczema (Dermatitis)
• CHAPTER 5: Urticaria and Angio‐oedema
• CHAPTER 6: Skin and Photosensitivity
• CHAPTER 7: Drug Rashes
• CHAPTER 8: Immunobullous and Other Blistering Disorders
• CHAPTER 9: Connective Tissue Disease, Vasculitis, and Related Disorders
• CHAPTER 10: The Skin and Systemic Disease
• CHAPTER 11: Leg Ulcers
• CHAPTER 12: Acne, Rosacea, and Hidradenitis Suppurativa
• CHAPTER 13: Bacterial Infections
• CHAPTER 14: Viral Infections
• CHAPTER 15: HIV and the Skin
• CHAPTER 16: Fungal Infections
• CHAPTER 17: Insect Bites and Infestations
• CHAPTER 18: Tropical Dermatology
• CHAPTER 19: Hair and Scalp
• CHAPTER 20: Diseases of the Nails
• CHAPTER 21: Genital Dermatoses
• CHAPTER 22: Benign Skin Tumours
• CHAPTER 23: Premalignant and Malignant Skin Lesions
• CHAPTER 24: Practical Procedures and Skin Surgery
• CHAPTER 25: Lasers, Intense Pulsed Light, and Photodynamic Therapy
• CHAPTER 26: Cosmetic Dermatology
• CHAPTER 27: Wounds, Dressings, and Bandages
• CHAPTER 28: Formulary
• Index
• End User License Agreement