Atopic Eczema

Eczema is dry, itchy skin.  You may have heard the word ‘dermatitis’ used but they are the same condition. The cause of eczema is not fully understood but there is a strong suggestion that your family genetics play a part.

Eczema can affect any part of the skin including the face. However most areas commonly affected are knees, wrists, elbows and neck.

Treatments include education, a good emollient regime, topical steroids, topical immunosuppressant’s, wet bandaging, antihistamine and ultra violet light.

Perioral Dermatitis

Sister Helen Childs has a particular interest in paediatric eczema and reports that with good education about the condition and a sound moisturising regime, the quality of the child and family’s life affected can improve dramatically.

For further details, including patient information leaflets please visit the British Association of Dermatologists website and scroll down to Atopic Eczema.

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease affecting roughly 2% of the population. It occurs equally in males and females and can appear at any age.

Psoriasis can also affect the joints and nails as well as the skin. It is not contagious. People who suffer with psoriasis particularly moderate to severe can have a higher risk of health problems including heart disease and stroke.

Although Psoriasis in a long term condition, there are many treatments available to improve the condition from topical creams and ointments, phototherapy, medication and also revolutionary biologic treatments.

Sister Helen Childs takes an active role in reviewing the patients with psoriasis and regularly monitors them twice a year, sometimes more frequently if required. Sister Julie Smith and Staff nurse Joanna Clark perform phototherapy treatments on our patients. Phototherapy is a treatment we use for adults and children with skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.

Treatment is given by the patient standing in a cabinet with ultraviolet lamps if the skin condition affects the body or they sit at a machine after soaking their hands and/or  feet in a solution if on their hands and/or feet.

Patients have to attend regularly  twice a week for about 10-12 weeks. Treatment days are on Mondays and Thursdays, in the morning at Princess Royal Hospital and in the afternoons at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

For more information, including patient information leaflets regarding an overview and topical treatments, please visit the British Association of Dermatologists website.

Acne can develop for the first time in the teenage years and usually resolves by  the time patients are in the late teens or early twenties. However acne can also develop for the first time and affect people in their late 20’s and even 30’s.

Acne is very common and is characterised by collections of blackheads, whiteheads and pus filled spots. Common areas affected are face, back chest and neck.

Although there is no cure for acne, there are plenty of treatments we can offer either topically or systemically that can reduce the risk of scarring and improve the psychological wellbeing of our patients affected by acne.

For further details please visit the British Association of Dermatologists website.

If your GP suspects that you may have a skin cancer, they will refer you to the Dermatology services at Shrewsbury under a two week rule (meaning that you will have an appointment with a specialist for review of the mole or lesion within two weeks).

As with any cancer, treatment is more effective when detected early. Lesions/marks on the skin that grow, bleed, change in appearance and /or do not heal should be seen by a specialist. Also any moles that change size, colour, shape or texture should be reviewed.

If one of our specialists thinks further treatment is required then a minor operation may be deemed necessary. Treatments, however, can also include topical preparations.

Sometimes the features of a lesion are unclear and the clinician may suggest a biopsy for a diagnosis.  Once the results are back we will write to both yourself and your GP.

Any further treatment required will be discussed with you and you will be kept informed of the next step. Our dedicated Macmillan Skin Cancer specialist nurses are Sister Jo Hoyle and Sister Esther Bode-Smith.

For more information about this please visit the Macmillan Website.