CPD Portal
Solar keratoses
Actinic or solar keratoses are keratotic lesions occurring on chronically light-exposed adult skin. They represent focal areas of abnormal keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation that carry a low risk of progression to invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Pigmentation and the sun
Excessive, unprotected exposure to solar radiation can lead to accelerated photo-ageing, carcinomas and disorders of skin pigmentation. Hyperpigmented lesions may be of aesthetic concern alone, or represent premalignant and malignant lesions.
Psoriasis can cause psychological stress
Psoriasis is a common, chronic inflammatory skin condition. It is thought to be immune-mediated; however, genetic and environmental factors are aetiological contributors.
Breaking the barrier
A skin infection occurs when there is a breach in the skin barrier due to various causes, like injury, diseases, inoculation, warmth, humidity and poor hygiene.
Cosmetic utility of imiquimod in actinic keratosis
Actinic keratosis is one of the most common dermatological conditions, but current treatments are often not cosmetically optimal, with scarring and permanent hypo- or hyperpigmentation often a result.
Don’t leave actinic keratosis alone
Patients can reduce the risk of actinic keratoses by protecting their skin from the harmful effects of UV rays either from the sun or other sources like tanning beds.
MM in SA: New treatment guidelines
Although the SA guidelines for malignant melanoma (MM) was last updated in 2004, this is by no means due to the fact that nothing new has happened and we all treat melanomas the same way we used to more than a decade ago.
Sun protection
While sunlight has numerous benefits to human skin, the most important being vitamin D biosynthesis, excessive sun exposure may manifest with an array of skin conditions. It is known to accelerate the signs of aging, cause sunburn and increase skin cancer risk.
Superficial fungal infections of the nails
Superficial fungal infections tend to infect the stratum corneum layer of the skin, the hair or the nails, causing various types of clinical symptoms, which can be very distressful to the patient
