Common Skin Conditions.

Two out of three Australians will develop a skin cancer during their lifetime, however, most skin cancers are curable provided they are diagnosed early. Our dermatologists can perform a full skin check and evaluate your risk. They are highly experienced in treating sun damage and skin cancer.

Exposure to sunlight in childhood and adolescence is a major factor in causing skin cancers. A history of severe sunburn increases the risk of developing melanoma, and long term sun exposure increases the risks of both non melanoma skin cancers and melanoma.

Because it is highly visible, skin cancer is generally detectable at an early stage. Early detection is particularly important for malignant melanoma. The first step is self-monitoring. If you have fair skin, freckles, a large number of moles or have a history of skin cancer, make sure you check your skin regularly; every three months – for example, at the start of each season.

At Dandenong Dermatology Centre we are experienced in the treatment of all forms of acne, including adult and hormonal acne.

Acne occurs when the oil glands (pores) in the skin become blocked. The face, neck, chest, shoulders and upper back are the areas mainly affected because they have the highest number of oil glands, however, acne can occur anywhere on the body.

The good news is that all types of acne can be treated. While there are products that can improve the visible effects of a few pimples in a short period of time, to get the maximum benefits, treatment of acne takes time and patience.

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, scaly rash that affects people of all ages. It is an auto immune disorder and can be triggered by environmental factors, stress or illness. It is not contagious and is not due to an allergy.

Over recent years there have been some major breakthroughs in the treatment of psoriasis. your Dermatologist will be able to discuss these advances with you and what they may mean to the treatment of your psoriasis.

Eczema affects about one in every five people at some time in their lives and results from a variety of different causes with various patterns.

Eczema often starts in infancy and can completely disappear by school age. Hay fever, asthma and allergies along with eczema can all be classified under the term Atopic. There is no cure for eczema but much can be achieved by optimizing skin care and minimizing environmental irritation. Your Dermatologist can assist with identifying potential triggers such as allergy, stress and infection and in formulating a strategy to reduce flare-ups and restoring the skins natural defences.

Rosacea is a common skin disorder that causes red patches, ‘pimples’, bumps and ‘burst’ capillaries on the face. The most commonly affected areas are the nose and cheeks (central face), but it can affect the whole face, including the ears and neck.

Rosacea can occur at any age but is most likely to affect people in their30’s and 40’s. Individuals with fair skin, blue eyes and Celtic origins are especially susceptible, although no racial group is spared. It very rarely affects children.

Unfortunately, rosacea can’t be cured, but it can be controlled. Flushing ‘triggers’ that can make all forms of rosacea worse are:
• Spicy food
• Hot drinks
• Alcohol
• Heat (hot baths, hot tubs and saunas)
• Sunlight
• Some medications

Sun avoidance and use of non-irritating broad-spectrum sunscreen is particularly important to prevent worsening of facial redness.

Vitiligo is a relatively common, acquired loss of pigmentation of the skin, affecting 1-2% of the population. Destruction of melanocytes, or pigment cells, occurs and the skin becomes white. Many people develop vitiligo in their 20’s, but it can occur at any age. The disorder affects all races and both sexes equally, however, it is more noticeable in people with dark skin.

At this present time, there is no cure for vitiligo. the treatment is prolonged and progress is slow. However, pigment cell research is ongoing and will hopefully lead to better treatment options in the future.

Hyperhidrosis is the condition of excessive sweating. Sweating is your body’s normal mechanism to cool itself, but some people produce more sweat than is needed for cooling. This condition affects about 2 to 3 per cent of the population. Excessive sweating can also predispose you to skin infections such as warts and tinea. Certain other skin conditions, including eczema and rashes, occur more often in people with hyperhidrosis.

Basic lifestyle remedies can help reduce sweating include;
• daily bathing;
• wearing clothing and footwear made of natural materials that breathe;
• changing socks often;
• wearing moisture-wicking socks;
• rotating shoes so you do not wear the same pair 2 days in a row;
• going barefoot when possible; and
• avoiding any triggers for sweating (such as spicy food or caffeine).

At Dandenong Dermatology Centre, Dr Peter Fergin can now treat hyperhidrosis. The procedure is only effective in treating small areas and is therefore not a viable option for treating generalised hyperhidrosis.

The procedure works by locking the nerves that supply the axillary glands; this prevents the glands from producing sweat. Treatment usually lasts 4-6 months with little to no side effects.