top five skin complaints MELASMA
ROSACEA
Rosacea causes redness and raised, red bumps on the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, or eyelids. It happens most often in adults ages 30 to 60 and can get worse over time.
Treatment for rosacea involves medicines and lifestyle changes. Medicines may be topical ie used on your skin, or taken orally in pill form. Lifestyle changes can control symptoms and flare-ups. And triggers should be avoided such as sunlight, stress, eating hot spicy foods and drinking alcohol. Sufferers should wear sunscreen every day and avoid using facial products containing alcohol and acid.
PSORIASIS
Psoriasis is an incurable skin condition that can make parts or all of the skin red, thick, and flaky. There is no known cause. Treatment can be with steroids and can come in creams and ointments, pills, or injections. A form of light therapy called phototherapy can also be used. Treatments work by slowing the growth of skin, controlling the immune response that causes psoriasis.
Melasma is a common, chronic, and recurring disorder that causes dark, discoloured patches the skin, usually on the face. It is particularly common in women, especially those of reproductive age. Factors that contribute to its development include genetic influences, sun exposure, sensitivity to hormones, pregnancy and, in some cases, medications. Treatment is in four steps and involves the use of adequate UVA/UVB and high-energy visible light protection, applied morning and midday every day of the year, even if inside. Ingredients should contain iron oxide.
A 12-week course of hydroquinone is also given in combination with topical tretinoin. Repeated low energy laser treatment (Q:switched ND:YAG laser) is also used. Suitable patients can have a 12-week course of Tranexamic acid.
The Bad Skin Clinic airs at 10pm on Tuesdays on Quest Red, available to stream on
dplay
The second series of the
The Bad Skin Clinic sees Dr Emma back in her Harley Street surgery where she treats ordinary people across Britain suffering from extraordinary skin disorders. Her caseload includes the most mysterious, shocking and chronic conditions: from the granny who can’t sit down because of agonising scars to a young mum crippled with arthritis caused by psoriasis. There’s plenty of popping and squeezing too, from huge lipomas to cysts. The series has two special episodes on acne and children’s conditions and features a plumber’s apprentice whose acne is so bad he can’t face his customers and Olivia, 11, one of only 100 people in the UK who develops skin cancer when exposed to UV light. Dr Emma says: “Skin is the largest organ in our body. It’s a bit like a window to the soul. I like being able to look at somebody and see what’s on their skin. It’s like being a detective. It feels good to be able to improve peoples’ skin. That’s the best part of the job.”