health ABC > Skin diseases
A slightly darker skin?
Hyperpigmentation is a common, usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment t...read more
About paronychia and nails...
Paronychia is an often tender infection of inflammation around the base of the nail fold. It can start suddenly (acute paronychia) or gradually (chronic paronychia). Acute paronychia Acute paronyc...read more
Acne and what to do about it
Acne can be one of the biggest self esteem busters known to young people. Most people will have the odd pimple or two during their life, but for one in three it can be more severe. What causes acne? The ha...read more
Acne information
85% of people aged between 12 and 24 are likely to suffer from some form of acne. Others may experience intermittent and serious forms well into their forties. However, this skin disease is neither blood related nor contagiou...read more
Acne products: which are right for you ?
Acne cleansers are just that, a cleanser. Acne cleansers are used to prevent acne. They are not intended to cure acne that has already started. Acne cleansers remove common skin contaminants ...read more
Acne scarring: treatment options
Treatment options The internet will bombard you with thousands of miracle cures for acne scars, but if you are searching for a solution that won’t leave you looking like Michael Jackson, read the foll...read more
Acne, clogged and inflamed oil glands
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. Blackheads and whiteheads form in the cl...read more
Age specific acnes
For the last decades, cases of acne in varying age levels had been significantly rising. A published study known as Prevalence of Facial Acne on Adults suggested that the current mean age for acne patients tr...read more
Anatomy of the skin
Your skin: amazing stuff. Tough, yet sensitive, permeable, yet waterproof. It’s flexible, yet strong, considering that it’s very thin. It houses millions of tiny units that regulate its fluid levels and temperatur...read more
Bowen's disease, also called squamous cell carcinoma
Bowen's disease, which is also called squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCC in situ), is a form of skin cancer. The term "in situ" added on the end tells us that this is a surface form of skin cancer...read more
Cellulite: one of the perks of being a woman
Cellulite is the name given to the "puckering" and "dimpling" of the skin - which is often likened to "orange peel". It occurs in the subcutaneous layer - the la...read more
Contra-indications of massage
There are several conditions when massage is totally contra-indicated. Massage should not be performed at all: Contagious and infectious skin conditions and diseases (like impetigo) ...read more
Dangerous leaves!
"Leaves of three - let it be!" aptly describes this woody vine with 2-4" leaflets in groups of three. The center leaf has a longer stem than the other two. Poison ivy clings to tree trunks and ...read more
Dermatitis herpetiformis
Definition Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is characterised by a persistent, itchy blistering skin rash which usually occurs on the knees, elbows, buttocks and back, although can affect any ar...read more
Dermatitis, an itchy business!
Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is an intensely itchy skin eruption. It usually shows up in young adults, and is more common in men and people originally from some areas of northern Europe. The symptoms are int...read more
Drainage treats boils
People refer to tender, red lumps that may ooze pus as boils. A single "boil" may be a ruptured cyst or a small abscess. Most boils can be treated by "incision and drai...read more
Dry skin or xerosis
Dry skin, also called xerosis, is a common problem. Your skin needs moisture to stay smooth and supple, and retaining moisture is especially difficult in winter. Central heating of home and o...read more
DSAP, an uncommon skin condition
Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) is an uncommon skin condition that leads to reddish brown scaly spots. The spots are mostly seem on the arms and legs, but sometimes will show up on other...read more
Eczema and treatments
Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a chronic skin that causes areas of red, itchy skin. This condition usually starts in early childhood, especially when there is a family history of atopy (ast...read more
Hand rash: an irritating response
There are many ways a person can get a hand rash, but all have some aspects in common. The skin is exposed to something irritating. It reacts with a rash. Hand eczema is another name for the same thing. Most ...read more
Hansen's disease or rather leprosy
Clinical features This chronic infectious disease usually affects the skin and peripheral nerves but has a wide range of possible clinical manifestations. Patients are classified as having paucibacillary or ...read more
Infection of your hair follicles?
Folliculitis is the infection of hair follicles. This can occur anywhere on the skin or scalp. Usually there is some itch, sometimes a little soreness. Folliculitis looks like acne pimples or...read more
Is aloe vera an effective medicine ?
Aloe vera is a very useful plant. It is very often used as a medicine to treat skin conditions such as burns and eczema, where it can help to stop the pain and reduce swelling. It is also ver...read more
Is rosacea the same as acne?
Rosacea is a common skin problem often called “adult acne.” Faired skinned and menopausal women are more likely to have rosacea. Rosacea also seems to run in families. It causes r...read more
Isotretinoin: medication for the treatment of acne
Isotretinoin has revolusionised the treatment of acne since it became available in South Africa in 1984, according to the National Dermatology Working Group led by Dr Dave Presbury. It is the only treatment t...read more
previous 25 articles - 
