01
Fungal Infections
Skin fungus occurs when fungi cause an infection of the skin, hair or nails. Ring-shaped redness and scaling on the body, itching and peeling on the feet, redness in the groin, or yellowing and thickening of the nails may be seen.
Treatment may be planned with topical or oral antifungal medication depending on the site and extent of the infection.
Not every patch of redness or nail thickening is fungal. When the diagnosis needs to be confirmed, a sample can be taken from the skin or nail for fungal examination.
02
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a condition in which white patches appear on the skin due to the loss of melanocytes, the cells that give skin its colour. The face, hands, armpits, genital area and areas around joints are commonly affected.
Vitiligo is not contagious.
Treatment is planned according to the extent and location of the disease and whether it is active. Topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, phototherapy in suitable patients and other treatment options may be used.
The aim is to bring progression under control and to support repigmentation in suitable areas.
03
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a condition in which the immune system affects the hair follicles, usually producing sudden round or oval patches of hair loss on the scalp.
It is popularly known as ringworm of the scalp, but it is not a fungal disease and it is not contagious. Besides the scalp, it can also affect the beard, eyebrows, eyelashes and other body hair.
Depending on the extent of the disease, topical corticosteroids, intralesional corticosteroid injections or systemic treatments may be used. In extensive and resistant alopecia areata, targeted therapies such as JAK inhibitors may also be considered in suitable patients.
04
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic condition in which the immune system plays a role and which can flare from time to time.
It most often appears as red plaques covered with white-silvery scales on the knees, elbows and scalp. It can also affect the nails and other parts of the body.
Psoriasis is not contagious.
Depending on the extent and severity of the disease, treatment may be planned with topical therapies, phototherapy, systemic medication or biologic treatments.
Some people may also have joint involvement. Patients with joint pain, swelling or morning stiffness should be assessed for psoriatic arthritis.
05
Lichen Planus
Lichen planus is an inflammatory disease that can affect the skin, mouth, genital area, scalp and nails.
On the skin it usually appears as purplish, itchy, flat-topped bumps. White streaks or sores may develop inside the mouth. Some scalp types of lichen planus can cause permanent hair loss.
Depending on the site and severity, topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, local injections, phototherapy or systemic treatments may be used.
Regular dermatological follow-up is particularly important in scalp, oral and genital involvement.
06
Urticaria (Hives)
Urticaria (hives) is a condition with suddenly appearing, intensely itchy, pink-red or skin-coloured weals.
Hives usually disappear within 24 hours without a trace, but new ones may appear elsewhere on the body. Swelling of the lips, eyelids or face (angio-oedema) may accompany them.
Urticaria lasting less than six weeks is acute, while urticaria continuing for more than six weeks is considered chronic. Chronic urticaria is not always due to a food or an external allergen.
Second-generation antihistamines usually form the basis of treatment. In treatment-resistant chronic spontaneous urticaria, biologic therapies such as omalizumab may be used in suitable patients.
If symptoms such as swelling of the tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, dizziness or fainting accompany it, urgent medical assessment is required.
07
Eczema (Dermatitis)
Eczema is the general name for inflammatory skin diseases with redness, itching, dryness, scaling and sometimes weeping or fissures.
There are different types such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and hand eczema. Soaps, detergents, cosmetics, metals, occupational exposures and environmental factors can trigger some types.
The type of eczema is determined first. Moisturisers, topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors and, when needed, systemic treatments may be used.
In people with suspected contact allergy, patch testing may be needed to identify the responsible allergens.
08
Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition with redness, flaking and itching, especially on the scalp, eyebrows, sides of the nose, around the ears and in the beard area.
It is one of the most common causes of dandruff on the scalp. It can flare with stress and seasonal changes.
Antifungal shampoos and creams, appropriate anti-inflammatory treatments and scalp care products may be used. Because it tends to recur, maintenance treatment may be needed in some people.
09
Warts (Verruca)
Warts are contagious skin and mucosal lesions caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
They can appear on the hands, feet, face and genital area. Warts on the sole of the foot in particular can cause pain from pressure and may be mistaken for calluses.
Depending on the site, number and size of the warts, cryotherapy (freezing), topical treatments containing salicylic acid, electrocautery or other local treatments may be applied.
Warts can recur after treatment and can spread through contact to other areas or to other people.
10
Herpes (Cold Sores)
Herpes simplex is a viral infection with painful, small fluid-filled blisters, most often on and around the lips and sometimes in the genital area.
After entering the body, the virus can remain silent in nerve cells and reactivate with stress, febrile illness, intense sun exposure or conditions affecting immunity.
Antiviral medicines such as aciclovir or valaciclovir may be used. Starting treatment early can be more effective.
In frequently recurring herpes infections, suppressive antiviral therapy may also be planned in suitable people.
11
Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Shingles occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, which previously caused chickenpox, reactivates years later.
Typically, pain and burning following a specific nerve line on one side of the body or face is followed by fluid-filled blisters.
Starting antiviral medication as early as possible is important. Especially at older ages, post-herpetic neuralgia, in which pain persists long after shingles, may develop.
Shingles around the eye or on the nose, a widespread rash, or a suppressed immune system requires closer evaluation.
