PDF Ebook Atlas of Common Skin Diseases in Australia
Skin diseases are a bit like the common cold. Apart from some of the skin cancers, they are not recorded in any official registry. They vary enormously from mild conditions which may affect only the appearance of the skin to severe diseases which are totally incapacitating. The degree of treatment required, or even sought, varies accordingly.
Nevertheless, every medical practitioner knows that there are plenty of people suffering with these conditions. A comprehensive survey of general practitioners’ workloads in Australia revealed that skin problems were the primary reason for at least 15% of consultations. On the other hand, community-based data collections show that medical practitioners are consulted about skin conditions by less than 50% of those who have them. People frequently seek advice from others in the community including pharmacists, family or friends and naturopaths, or they merely prescribe for themselves based on information from elsewhere.
Like the common cold, everyone knows skin conditions are a problem, but until major community-based surveys are undertaken, no one realises the frequency and degree to which people suffer.
In 1995, a new academic Department of Dermatology was formed at St Vincent’s Hospital in association with the University of Melbourne, the Australasian College of Dermatologists and the Skin and Cancer Foundation of Victoria. It as decided that the direction of research should be into the frequency and morbidity of common skin conditions in the community. After all, these conditions are the basis for the vast majority of dermatologists’ work. Their work includes not only providing care for patients with skin disease, but also teaching other medical professionals the approach to and management of these conditions.
This Atlas is a summary of the data that have been gathered over the last five years. Skin cancers are not included as they have been well reported elsewhere. The data presented here are startling. However, they do confirm an impression that most health professionals develop after some years of contact with the public. They show clearly that skin diseases are common, they cause considerable morbidity in the community, and people with them require better care.
This Atlas is only the beginning. It is not enough just to record that there are problems. The next step is to do something about them. We now have data demonstrating quite clearly where there are problems and we look forward to using these data as the basis for taking steps to relieve them in the future.
Contents
Methods
What Skin Diseases Do People
- Say They Have?
What Skin Diseases Do People Really Have?
- Acne
Nappy Rash (Napkin Dermatitis)
Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
Psoriasis
Warts
Tinea Pedis and Tinea Unguium
Birthmarks
Campbell de Morgan Spots
Seborrhoeic Keratoses
Where Do People Seek Advice For Treatment Of Common Skin Diseases?
Recommendations
Acknowledgements
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PDF Ebook Atlas of Common Skin Diseases in Australia
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