Skin conditions

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection brought on by the chickenpox virus that affects a nerve and the skin around it. As a result, the affected area develops blistered itchy, painful rash. Only people who have previously experienced chickenpox can get shingles.

The virus stays in the nerves after the initial infection and causes shingles when it reawakens in one specific nerve. After the initial chickenpox infection, this can occur years or even decades later. The virus frequently re-emerges in these ways in patients with compromised immune systems, however it is unclear why. The duration of each case of shingles might range from a few weeks to a month.

Although there is no known cure for shingles, there are several therapies that can help make the discomfort it causes more bearable. You should speak to our clinician or your GP right away if you suspect that you have shingles.

Scabies is an itchy skin ailment caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, a small burrowing mite. Itching is severe in the region where the mite burrows. The need to itch may be particularly severe at night.

It is infectious and can spread swiftly in a household, child nursery, school class, nursing facility, or jail through close physical contact. Because scabies is extremely infectious, doctors frequently urge that whole families or contact groups be treated.

Scabies is easily treatable. Scabies mites and their eggs are killed by medications applied to the skin. However, you may have irritation for several weeks following therapy.

A fungal nail infection is caused by fungus invasion (Tinea Unguium or Onychomycosis). If left untreated, it leads to unsightly, larger nails that can be painful. This fungus can live on your skin without harming you, but if given the right conditions (they favour warm, wet settings), it can proliferate and cause illness.

The majority of fungal nail infections are harmless, although they can be difficult to treat. The illness can affect either your toe or fingernails, and it usually begins slowly with few symptoms. The nail, however, may become discoloured or distorted as the fungus multiplies and spreads, causing pain while walking or wearing tight shoes.

Folliculitis is a skin disorder where the hair follicles become infected, which results in tender, red spots called pustules on the skin’s surface. Folliculitis is the result of ingrowing hairs; the grown hair curls back on itself and the follicles becomes infected. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common organism that causes folliculitis (S. aureus). A fungus or other foreign bodies detected on the skin can sometimes cause it as well.

Eczema (also known as dermatitis) is a skin disorder that causes inflammation and itching, as well as dryness and cracking. There are various forms of eczema and the most common type is ‘atopic eczema’, which occurs on your neck, hands, elbows and knees. You get eczema in patches with atopic eczema. There is no cure for the condition, but our clinicians can help treat a flare-up and treat infected eczema. Eczema in skin requires long term management as this is a chronic condition.

 

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection, which causes inflammation and pain. Unlike other skin conditions like abscesses or rashes, cellulitis affects the deeper layers of the skin and surrounding tissue. Cellulitis can develop anywhere on the body, though it is most commonly found in the legs. It can affect people of all ages and genders, and it should be treated as soon as possible because it can lead to more significant health issues. Obesity, diabetes, poor circulation, and intravenous drug use are all factors that might raise your chances of developing cellulitis.