Common Skin Conditions
Acne
Acne What is acne? Acne is a very common skin condition characterised by comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and pus-filled spots (pustules). It usually starts at puberty and varies in severity from a few spots on the face, neck, back and chest, which most adolescents will have at some time, ...
Actinic Keratoses
Actinic Keratoses What are actinic keratoses? Actinic keratoses are areas of sun-damaged skin found predominantly on sun- exposed parts of the body, particularly the backs of the hands and forearms, the face and ears, the scalp in balding men and the lower legs in women. The terms actinic and ...
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata What is alopecia areata? Alopecia is a general term for hair loss. Alopecia areata is a specific, common cause of hair loss that can occur at any age. It usually causes small, coin- sized, round patches of baldness on the scalp, although hair elsewhere such as the beard, eyebrows, ...
Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic Alopecia What is androgenetic alopecia? Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of progressive hair loss. It is also known as malepattern baldness, female-pattern baldness, or just common baldness. It affects about 50% of men over the age of 50, and about 50% of women over the a...
Atypical Mole Syndrome
Atypical Mole Syndrome What is atypical mole syndrome? Atypical mole syndrome is a disorder of the skin which is seen in approximately 2% of the population. It is defined as where an individual has a collection of more than 50 moles composed of melanocytes (cells able to produce pigment) present o...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) What is a basal cell carcinoma? A basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of skin cancer. There are two main types of skin cancer: melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. BCC is a non-melanoma skin cancer, and is the most common type (greater than 80%) of all skin cancer. BC...
Bowens Disease
Bowens Disease What is Bowen’s disease? Bowen’s disease is also known as squamous cell carcinoma in situ, and is a growth of cancerous cells that is confined to the outer layer of the skin. Its importance rests on the fact that it can progress into an invasive skin cancer (squamous cel...
Contact Dermatitis
Contact Dermatitis What is contact dermatitis? Dermatitis means an inflammation of the skin. Contact dermatitis is a term used when this inflammation is caused by contact with something in the environment. The changes of dermatitis seen in the skin take the form of eczema; hence it may sometimes b...
Eczema
Atopic Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) What is atopic eczema? Atopic eczema is an inflammatory condition of the skin. Atopic is the term used to describe conditions such as eczema, asthma, seasonal rhinitis and hay fever, which often have a genetic basis. Eczema is the term used to describe changes in ...
Fungal Infection of the Nail
Fungal Infection of the Nail What is a fungal infection of the nail? Fungal infections of the nails are also known as onychomycosis and tinea unguium. The fungi in question are usually those that cause athlete’s foot – a common infection of the skin of the feet. In athlete’s foot...
Hand Dermatitis
Hand Dermatitis – Care for the Hands Why do I need to care for my hands? The hands are the point of contact for many irritants such as soap, detergent, shampoo, water, fibreglass, plasterboard, cutting fluids etc. Frequent contact with irritants, including excessive use of water, reduces ski...
Melanoma
Melanoma What is a melanoma? Cutaneous malignant melanoma is a cancer of the pigment cells of the skin. If it is treated early, the outlook is usually good. It is not contagious. The word ‘melanoma’ comes from the Greek word ‘melas’, meaning black. Melanin is the dark pigm...
Psoriasis
Psoriasis What is psoriasis? Psoriasis is a common skin problem affecting about 2% of the population. It occurs equally in men and women, at any age, and tends to come and go unpredictably. It is not infectious, and does not scar the skin. What causes psoriasis? The skin is a complex organ made ...
Rosacea
Rosacea What is rosacea? Rosacea is a common rash, usually occurring on the face, which predominantly affects both middleaged and fair-skinned people. It is more common in women, but tends to be more severe in men. It is a chronic condition and, in any individual, the severity tends to come and go...
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) What is a squamous cell carcinoma? A squamous cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. There are two main types of skin cancer: melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a non-melanoma skin cancer and the second most common type of skin c...
Urticaria & Angioedema
Urticaria & Angioedema What is urticaria and angioedema? Urticaria is common, and affects about 20% of people at some point in their lives. It is also known as hives or nettle rash. The short-lived swellings of urticaria are known as weals (see below) and typically any individual spot wi...
Check out our Patient Information
Here you will find information on the following
Suite 12, The Lee Clinic, Lee Road, Cork
Bon Secours Hospital, College Road, Cork
