Medical Dermatology

Acne vulgaris, simply referred to as acne, presents with a combination of pustules, inflamed pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, painful nodules or cysts. Acne often affects the face, neck, chest, and back. While it is most commonly seen in teenagers and young adults, acne can occur at any age. Acne has many contributing factors, including increased sebum (skin oil) production by sebaceous glands, hormonal influences, “clogged pores” and the formation of comedones, bacterial proliferation, genetic factors, and ongoing inflammation.

Understanding these factors helps guide treatment strategies aimed at reducing sebum production, normalising skin cell turnover, controlling bacterial proliferation, and addressing inflammation.

Inadequate care for acne may result in permanent scarring, underscoring the importance of early intervention. At Dermatology House, our dedicated team will provide you with personalised acne solutions ensuring you feel confident in your skin once more.

Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterised by extremely dry and itchy skin. Atopic dermatitis typically begins in childhood, but it can occur later in life. The distribution of the rash differs among infants, children and adults. In most cases, atopic dermatitis can be treated with the right combination of treatments or by optimising the use of existing treatments. If you or your child has atopic dermatitis, we will educate you about this condition and work together to find the optimal treatment solution.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that typically presents as red, scaly, thick patches and plaques on the skin. It can present at any age and is known to have a variety of triggering or exacerbating factors. Psoriasis can also affect the nails and the scalp, as well as the joints (psoriatic arthritis). Our dermatologists are experts in diagnosing and managing this relatively common condition, offering patients a wide range of effective treatment options.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is yet another chronic inflammatory skin condition. In this condition, painful boils form under the skin. These boils are typically found in areas where the skin rubs together, such as the groin, armpits or between the buttocks. In some cases, the boils join up to form tracts under the skin. Dermatologists are experts in managing the symptoms of this condition. Some of the treatments include pain management, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medications.

Skin pigmentation problems are very common and there are a variety of pigmentation issues that can occur:

Hyperpigmentation - areas of the skin that become darker than the surrounding skin. It can occur due to an increase in melanin production, often triggered by sun exposure, hormonal changes (like during pregnancy), inflammation, or injury. Common types include sunspots, melasma (patchy brown discolouration often seen on the face), and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots left behind after a skin injury or inflammation).

Hypopigmentation - areas of the skin that become lighter than the surrounding skin. This occurs when there is a decrease in melanin production or when melanocytes are unable to function properly. Vitiligo is a well-known example of hypopigmentation, where white patches develop on the skin due to the loss of melanocytes.

Freckles and Birthmarks - Freckles are small, flat spots on the skin that are usually tan or light brown. They're caused by an increase in melanin production in response to sun exposure. Birthmarks, on the other hand, are coloured marks on the skin that are present at birth or appear shortly after. They can vary in size, shape, and colour and may be caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels (vascular birthmarks) or an overproduction of melanin (pigmented birthmarks).

While some pigmentation disorders are purely cosmetic and don't cause any harm, others may require medical attention and treatment, especially if they are causing discomfort or affecting a person's quality of life. Please consult our team if you are concerned about changes in your skin pigmentation.

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, can be caused by various factors. For example, it can be associated with certain medications, hormonal changes or an autoimmune disorder. There are also multiple types of alopecia, including androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness), alopecia areata (discrete patches of hair loss) and telogen effluvium (temporary, diffuse hair shedding).

Hair loss can be very psychologically distressing, but treatments are available for many types of alopecia. If you are grappling with hair loss, seek guidance from our experienced dermatologists to identify the root cause of the problem and explore suitable treatment options.

Many different types of conditions can result in abnormal nails. Some conditions are limited to the nails only, but some nail abnormalities may be a manifestation of a more serious underlying condition. Some common signs include changes in the colour or texture of the nails, thickening or thinning of the nails, brittleness or fragility, and lifting or separation of the nail from the nail bed.

Seeing a dermatologist for the correct diagnosis and treatment is important if you think you may have a nail disorder or are concerned about the appearance of your nails.

This includes melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers (for example, basal cell carcinomas). These abnormal growths can manifest in various ways, for example, a non-healing sore on the skin, a new scaly patch that bleeds, or a “funny-looking” mole. There are many risk factors for the development of skin cancers. An important risk factor is the amount and type of sun exposure one has received during their lifetime.

Dermatologists use specialised instruments (such as dermatoscopes) and techniques (such as biopsies) to recognise and diagnose skin cancers at a very early stage.

These are typically small, dark spots or bumps on the skin that can appear anywhere on the body. While most moles are benign or non-cancerous, some can be associated with skin cancer. Therefore, it is vital to have any new, concerning or changing moles checked by a dermatologist to exclude this possibility. Most melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers are usually easily treated if caught early enough.

If you have had a previous melanoma or if you have a strong family history of melanoma, particularly an affected first-degree relative, you may be at a higher risk for developing this type of cancer. In this case, it is advised to have your moles checked more frequently. In all cases, a full-body skin examination is performed with a handheld dermatoscope. Selected patients may need digital photography and mole mapping – please see our FAQs section for more details about this.