American Mission Hospital

D. Susan Abraham

MBBS - Medical College Trivandrum, Kerala University, India

Diploma and MD in Dermatology- Christian Medical College, Vellore, India

The dermatologist evaluates problems related to the skin & mucosa, hair and nails. Treatment is given with systemic and topical medicines.

The various diseases include:

• Inflammatory conditions:Various types of dermatitis/eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, seborrhea, acne, atopic conditions, contact dermatitis, photo dermatitis, allergies etc. Finding the cause entails a clinical history, physical examination, skin biopsy, investigations in blood and allergy testing

Bullous disorders like pemphigus, pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis etc.

• Infections including bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic. Based on findings; scrapings of skin, nail clippings and hair are examined. Smears of skin or discharge are examined by stains, cultures, microscopy, and woods lamp as needed. Warts, molluscum, herpes etc are frequently encountered.
• Pigmentary disorders, vitiligo etc.Connective tissue disorders like lupus, dermatomyositis, scleroderma etc.
• Skin malignancy: Detailed skin examination is done for evaluation of skin changes related to skin cancers like carcinoma, melanoma. Advice is given on skin protection. Dermoscopic examination of moles and other skin lesions is valuable in detecting early malignant changes. Skin biopsies, cryosurgery, excision curettage, and histopathological evaluation are done in suspected cases.
• Sexually transmitted/venereal diseases are diagnosed clinically and by testing specimen of blood, urine or the smears of lesions and health education given on preventive aspects.
• Women who have pregnancy related dermatosis are examined and treated if needed.
• Cosmetic procedures like removal of skin tags, growths and other tumours, skin peeling, cauterization, cryotherapy are all done. Intralesional injections may be needed in some hyperkeratotic or inflammatory conditions, alopecia areata, keloids, etc.
• Genetically inherited skin conditions are managed depending on the case.
• Skin conditions associated with underlying metabolic, endocrine, nutritional or psychocutaneous causes are diagnosed and managed.