Abstract Atopic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition that affects up to 20–30% of children and 2–10% of adults. It represents a complex genetic disease with environmental influences and…

Abstract All students of dermatology need a basic foundation and framework upon which to accumulate knowledge. In this chapter, the basic tenets of disease classification in dermatology are introduced. This…

Abstract In addition to contact and atopic dermatitis, there exists a heterogeneous group of inflammatory skin diseases that obviously share the hallmarks of eczema, but also display characteristic additional features….

Abstract Psoriasis is a common inflammatory disease of the skin. It results from a polygenic predisposition combined with environmental triggers, e.g. trauma, infections, psychological stress, medications. Susceptibility genes point to…

Abstract Lichen planus (LP) is an idiopathic inflammatory disease of the skin and mucous membranes whose primary lesion is a pruritic, violaceous papule. Histologically, a band-like lymphocytic infiltrate underlies an…

Abstract The parapsoriasis group of skin disorders includes small and large plaque parapsoriasis, with some clinicians extending the spectrum of T-cell related disorders to include acute and chronic forms of…

Abstract Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) represents one of the most common dermatoses and it is caused by an incredibly diverse source of provocative agents. Determination of the inciting irritant or…

Abstract From a diagnostic and therapeutic perspective, erythroderma represents one of the most challenging entities within dermatology. This is due in part to the large number of disorders that can…

Abstract Psychocutaneous diseases are commonly encountered in the practice of dermatology, and many affected individuals lack insight into their condition or refuse a psychiatric referral. With a systematic approach to…

Abstract Pruritus is defined as an unpleasant sensation of the skin that elicits a desire to scratch, and it represents the most common skin-related symptom. In primary skin diseases, pruritus…