About Skin

Basal cell cancer

Basal cell cancer (BCC) is a type of skin cancer caused by exposure to the sun. It is also called a rodent ulcer.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a potentially serious skin cancer that develops from normal skin cells called melanocytes. The cells become malignant and start growing uncontrollably.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring skin disease characterised by scaling and inflammation. It is a common skin disorder and one of the most baffling and persistent.

Eczema

Eczema is an inflammatory skin response. It is chronic and has flare-ups and remissions.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is a superficial or deep bacterial infection and inflammation of the hair follicles.

Birthmarks

A birthmark is a skin blemish which is present at birth and which has usually developed before the baby is born. Birthmarks enlarge commensurate with the growth of the child.

Acne

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the sebaceous (oil-secreting) glands in the skin and along hair shafts become clogged and inflamed, and infected by bacteria.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a fairly common chronic, inflammatory disease of the face. It is characterised by redness and red bumps on the cheeks and possibly the forehead, cheeks, chin and nose.

Dry skin

The skin's oil glands produce natural oil, which protects the skin against water loss. Dry skin (xerosis) can be the result when the oil is depleted.

Dandruff

Dandruff holds no health risk, even though it may be itchy and embarrassing.

Urticaria (hives)

Hives, medically known as urticaria, is a skin reaction characterised by small, pale or reddened swellings (weals or welts); which "come and go and move around".

Fungal infection

Fungal infections are due to microscopic organisms that live on the dead keratin on the surface of the skin, hair and nails.

Nail problems

Every patient with abnormal nails assumes that the abnormality is caused by a fungus. Experience proves that more often than not fungi are not implicated.

Cold sores

Cold sores or fever blisters are small red blisters with a white centre which crop up on or around the lips. They can also be found inside the mouth, but this is less common.

Shingles (herpes zoster)

Shingles is a painful rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus.

Boils and folliculitis

A boil is a red, painful bump under the skin which arises when bacteria invade a hair follicle.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the soft tissues.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a fairly common and highly contagious superficial bacterial skin infection that affects children more than adults.

Leprosy

Leprosy is an infectious disease that has been known since biblical times. It is characterised by disfiguring skin sores, nerve damage, and progressive debilitation.