Seborrheic Dermatitis causes redness and greasy-looking “scales” on the skin. The areas of the skin with a high concentration of oil glands tend to be the most affected, like the scalp, sides of the nose, eyebrows, eyelids, behind the ears and the middle of the chest. Occasionally other areas can also be affected, such as the... »

When varicose veins occur the flow of blood back into the veins lead to continuous high blood pressure in the leg, which can cause ulcers, mainly at the ankles, and it can be accompanied by swelling and red, itchy, scaly skin around the ulcer. When a cut occurs in the skin of the leg,... »

Shingles is an infection of a nerve caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Early symptoms include localised pain, headache or fatigue. Shingles can happen at any age, but is more common and painful in older adults. The virus attacks a nerve root and follows the line of that nerve, causing painful blisters... »

These are enlarged leg veins common is older people, which can have a blue and bulging appearance. Varicose veins happens when blood returning to the heart against gravity flows back into the vein through a faulty valve, causing the vein to become twisted and swollen, this condition is rarely dangerous. The aching related to Varicose... »

Many elderly people suffer from “black and blue” marks or bruises, mainly on the arms and legs. These are normally due to the skin becoming thinner with age and sun damage. Loss off fat and connective tissue weakens the support around blood vessels, making them more susceptible to injury. In some cases a bruise... »

Itching can be a common problem with aging skin. It is often related to dry skin, but sometimes it can have other causes. Allergic reaction to fabric preservatives, wool, plastics, detergents, bleaches or soaps can irritate mature skin as it becomes more sensitive. So it is important to identify what is irritating the skin... »

Our skin tends to become drier as we get older, which makes it itchy and flaky, especially in a cold, dry and windy weather. Mild cases of dry skin can be treated with a moisturizer used immediately after the shower, while the skin is still damp. Petrolatum is an excellent moisturizer and is present... »

As skin ages, the fibres that keep the skin firm, such as collagen and elastin, weaken with time. As a result the skin starts to look loose and lax, it also becomes thinner and loses fat, looking less plump and smooth. Gravity also affects the ageing process as it pulls the skin down, causing... »

The skin is the largest and most visible organ of the body. As we get older our skin changes, it tends to get drier, more wrinkled and sometimes spots and growths can start to appear. Many of these skin problems can be prevented. New therapies are now available to treat many conditions that can cause... »

What causes scabies? Scabies is a contagious skin infestation that can affect humans, it is caused by mite, a minuscule parasitic insect belonging to the subclass Acarina (also known as Acari). Scabies mite lives on human and can only survive for up to 48 hours away from human skin. Scabies can affect normal skin as... »

What are the symptoms of bacterial skin infections? Skin infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungus. Bacterial infections causes the skin to become red and inflamed with clusters of spots sometimes filled with pus. Impetigo is a type of bacterial skin infection that starts as a spot and develops into a blister spreading very... »

A few years ago corrective eye surgery was only available to the wealthier clients of private doctors. However, technology has progressed rapidly, and now laser eye treatments are available at much lower prices. There are now several different types of corrective surgery available, each of which utilises a different technology. Types of treatment Lasik Lasik is short... »

What causes Cold Sores? Cold sores are more common than you may think, affecting about 20% of the population. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which is a virus passed on through close forms of personal contact, such as kissing and sexual intercourse. The virus invades cells of the outer layer of the skin... »

What is Roaccutane? Roaccutane can be prescribed by your skin specialist doctor to treat severe cases of acne that have not responded successfully to other treatments. Roaccutane is a retinoid compound that contains a substance called isotretinoin, which is chemically related to vitamin A. How does Roaccutane work? Roaccutane works by reducing the amount of sebum and... »

Acne is a skin problem very common with teenagers, it can also affect some people during their adult life as well, most commonly women. On average acne can last for up to eight years if left untreated. It affects mainly the face, sometimes the back, shoulders and chest, causing different types of spots. In general... »

What are Warts and Verrucas? Wart is a small thickened growth on the skin surface that affects only the outside layer of the skin causing itchy or irritation in some cases. It has a rough and crusty texture, usually with the same pigmentation as the rest of the skin, sometimes it can be slightly darker.... »

BBC News reported yesterday that a new drug has been developed to tackle the obesity epidemic. The pill will be offered to patients with a BMI of over 28 (i.e. those who are very overweight / borderline obese). The drug which has been licensed to sell over the counter is Orlistat, which actually stops... »

Hydroquinone Therapy is a treatment for hyperpigmentation on the skin, which causes brown spots on the skin due to the increase amount of melanin pigment in the skin, which can be hereditary, as in freckles, or developed with age, as in “old age spots”. It can also be caused due to hormonal changes during... »

Asthma reoccurrence can intervene with daily life, preventing an asthma attack can help the sufferer to carry on with their life as normal as possible. In order to receive treatment for asthma you need to see your doctor, who can prescribe medication such as preventers and relievers, which are taken through an inhaler. The relievers... »

A Punch graft is a surgical procedure that cuts out and removes the damaged and scarred skin, leaving a hole in the skin, which is filled with a matching piece of unscarred skin, normally taken from the skin behind the ear. The new skin is taped in place and takes between five to... »

Indented soft scars can be elevated using a number of different substances that can be injected into the skin, such as collagen, hyaluronic acid or fat. The quantity injected into the skin will depend on the size and firmness of the scar. An injection of collagen can improve the appearance of the scar straight after... »