Psoriasis: A Systemic Disease Psoriasis is a common, chronic, relapsing, inflammatory disorder manifesting in the skin and/or joints. It has a strong genetic basis and can be altered by environmental factors. The major manifestation of psoriasis is chronic inflammation of the skin where it is usually characterised by disfiguring, scaling, and erythematous plaques that may [...]

PLAQUE PSORIASIS Clinical features: • The most common type of psoriasis • Raised, inflamed lesions covered with a silvery white scale • Most common on the extensor surfaces of the knees, elbows, scalp, and trunk • Scalp psoriasis affects approximately 50% of patients Treatment options: Localised: • Use emollients to soften scales • Use topical [...]

• Acne is a chronic disease which occurs when pilosebaceous follicles become obstructed with plugs of sebum and desquamated keratinocytes, and then become colonised and sometimes infected with the normal skin anaerobe Propionibacterium acnes. • It is characterised by polymorph cutaneous lesions, which include comedones, papules, pustules and cysts which may leave scars after regression. [...]

► Acne should be approached as a chronic disease • Acne warrants early and aggressive treatment • Maintenance therapy is often needed for optimal outcomes ► Treatment regimens that limit or reduce the incidence of bacterial antibiotic resistance are recommended (see Strategies to Limit Antibiotic Resistance) • Avoid using antibiotics (oral or topical) as monotherapy [...]

Treatment regimens that limit or reduce the incidence of bacterial antibiotic resistance are recommended: • Combine a topical retinoid plus an antimicrobial (oral or topical); this is a rationale choice because of the complementary modes of action that have been shown clinically to result in – Increased speed of response – Greater clearing – Enhanced [...]

Oral tetracyclines have a long history of safety and efficacy in the management of inflammatory acne. Tetracycline, minocycline and doxycycline differ in their major routes of elimination. Tetracycline is excreted almost completely by the kidneys, primarily by glomerular filtration. Minocycline is metabolised by the liver, and approximately 10% is excreted in the kidney. Doxycycline is [...]

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland. Over 8,000 new cases of skin cancer were diagnosed in Ireland in 2008, including 756 cases of melanoma. The three most common skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, each of which is named after the type of skin cell from which [...]