Hair loss (balding) and thinning hair is a common problem that affects both men and women although it is more frequently seen in adult males. With a host of hair growing and thickening products on the market, it is important to understand how hair loss occurs in order to make the best choice. In many cases, hair loss cannot be treated or treatment is not very effective and other options like a hair transplant may have to be considered.
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Jaundice is the yellow tinge of the skin, sclera (whites of the eyes) and inside of the mouth that arises when the bilirubin level in the blood is higher than normal. While it is often referred to as “yellow jaundice”, the word jaundice in itself means yellow tinge. Jaundice is more often seen in newborn babies but can also occur in adults as a result of liver and blood disorders.
Vitiligo is a skin disorder that causes hypopigmented patches on the skin. The skin pigment, melanin, is deficient in these areas making the skin look white to light brown. It can affect only certain areas or it can be spread out through many areas in the body. Vitiligo should not be confused with albinism (albino skin) where melanin production is impaired and the entire body is affected from birth.
Other skin conditions may sometimes be confused with vitiligo. A yeast infection (skin fungus) known as pityriasis versicolor can affect the back, chest and face. This condition can be treated with antifungals. Pityriasis alba is form of eczema seen in children where the affected skin is pale in color. Vitiligo should also not be confused with leprosy, although the latter also cause hypopigmentation of the skin – vitiligo and leprosy are two separate diseases.
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Ultraviolet therapy has been widely used for psoriasis for almost a century. Ultraviolet B (UVB) is beneficial for psoriasis but the treatment should be managed by a medical doctor as the risk for skin cancer in the long term is always a consideration. In countries with limited facilities, patients still resort to sunlight exposure but modern techniques with UVB lamps are a better and safer option.
Psoralens and PUVA therapy are often used as a phototherapeutic (light therapy) option for patients with psoriasis. These treatments should be managed by a dermatologist with the appropriate equipment and facilities. Here a special chemical known as psoralen is exposed to UVA and it helps ease the skin thickening which is a characteristic feature of psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition where inflammation of the skin appears as raised, red patches with silvery to white scales on it. While it is a fairly common condition, it is often misdiagnosed in the early stages, especially in young people.
As a chronic condition, psoriasis will never go away – instead you may have periods where it settles down almost completely (remission) and then it recurs. In some people, psoriasis will occur with other conditions like arthritis – psoriatic arthritis.
What is a dermatologist?
Dermatology is the branch of medicine that deals with the skin, related diseases and skin care. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who has specialised in the field of dermatology for several years after completing their medical training. In South Africa, strict standards of training are maintained to ensure that all dermatologists within the country provide a similar service.
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