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Dermatology guides
24 plain-English, evidence-linked guides in Dermatology, with clinical review status shown on each page.
Acne treatment (Management of acne vulgaris)Treatments to control acne, a common long-term skin condition causing spots, and to reduce the chance of permanent scarring.Basal cell carcinoma treatment (Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) treatment, including surgical excision and Mohs micrographic surgery)Ways of removing or destroying a basal cell carcinoma, the most common but rarely dangerous skin cancer, most often by minor surgery under local anaesthetic.Biologic therapy for psoriasis or eczema (Biologic and biosimilar treatment for psoriasis and atopic eczema)Targeted medicines, usually given by injection, that switch off a specific part of the overactive immune response in severe psoriasis or eczema when other treatments have not worked.Botox for excessive sweating (Botulinum toxin injections for hyperhidrosis)Small injections of botulinum toxin into the skin to calm overactive sweat glands when sweating is heavy enough to affect daily life, most often used in the armpits.Cryotherapy (freezing treatment) (Cryotherapy (cryosurgery) with liquid nitrogen)A treatment that freezes skin lesions with very cold liquid nitrogen to destroy them, used for warts, sun-damage spots and other minor skin growths.Dermatology consultation (Specialist dermatology (skin) consultation)An appointment with a skin specialist (dermatologist) to assess a skin, hair or nail problem, reach a diagnosis where possible, and agree a plan.Dermoscopy mole mapping (Sequential digital dermoscopy and total body photography (mole mapping))A way of photographing and closely imaging your skin and moles so they can be compared over time to pick up early changes.Eczema (dermatitis) management (Management of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis))Treatments to control eczema (dermatitis), a common long-term condition that makes the skin dry, itchy and inflamed.Full skin / mole check (Full skin examination (total body skin examination) and mole check)A head-to-toe examination of the skin and moles by a clinician, usually with a dermatoscope, to look for anything that might need a closer look or removal.Hair loss (alopecia) assessment (Clinical assessment of alopecia)An appointment with a dermatologist to work out the cause of hair loss or thinning, using your history, an examination of the scalp and hair, and sometimes simple tests, so the right management can be discussed.Hidradenitis suppurativa management (Treatment and management of hidradenitis suppurativa)The range of treatments and support a dermatologist may offer for hidradenitis suppurativa, a long-term skin condition causing painful lumps, abscesses and scarring in areas such as the armpits and groin.Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) treatment (Treatment of hyperhidrosis (primary focal and secondary))A range of treatments to reduce excessive sweating that is interfering with daily life, from strong antiperspirants and a small electric-current treatment to injections, tablets and, rarely, surgery.Laser treatment for skin lesions (Laser therapy for cutaneous lesions)Using focused light to fade or remove certain skin marks, such as red thread veins, birthmarks and brown patches, usually over more than one session.Melanoma diagnosis and treatment (Cutaneous malignant melanoma: diagnosis and surgical treatment)The pathway for diagnosing melanoma, a serious skin cancer, and removing it surgically — starting with an urgent referral when a mole looks suspicious.Nail disorder assessment (Clinical assessment of nail disease)An appointment with a dermatologist to find out what is causing a nail problem, using your history, an examination of the nails and skin, and sometimes tests such as a nail clipping or biopsy, so the right treatment can be discussed.Patch testing for allergic contact dermatitis (Epicutaneous patch testing for allergic (type IV) contact dermatitis)A skin test, done over about a week, to find out whether your eczema or rash is caused or worsened by an allergy to something that touches your skin.Photodynamic therapy (Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT))A light-based treatment that uses a special cream and a red light (or daylight) to destroy sun-damaged or early skin-cancer cells, mainly on the face and scalp.Phototherapy (UVB) treatment (Ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy, usually narrowband UVB)A course of controlled ultraviolet light, given in a hospital cabinet, to calm widespread skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and vitiligo when creams alone are not enough.Psoriasis management (Treatment and long-term management of psoriasis)Ongoing treatment to calm the red, scaly patches of psoriasis and keep flare-ups under control, using creams, light therapy or medicines depending on how severe it is.Rosacea treatment (Management of rosacea)Treatments to control rosacea, a common long-term skin condition that causes facial redness, flushing and acne-like spots.Skin allergy testing (Patch testing and skin prick testing)Tests carried out by a dermatologist or allergy team to find out whether your skin reacts to specific substances, helping to explain a rash or allergy and guide what to avoid.Squamous cell carcinoma treatment (Treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC))Treatment to remove a squamous cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer, most often by cutting it out with a margin of healthy skin.Vitiligo management (Treatment and management of vitiligo)The range of treatments and support a dermatologist may offer for vitiligo, where the skin loses colour in patches, aimed at restoring some pigment, slowing spread, protecting the skin and supporting wellbeing.Wart and verruca treatment (Treatment of cutaneous viral warts (verrucae))Treatments to clear warts and verrucas, which are harmless viral skin growths that often go away on their own but can be slow and stubborn.
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