The Sixth Edition of the ABC of Dermatology incorporates all the latest scientific advances in genetics, pathophysiology and management strategies whilst at the same time remaining a practical clinical approach to dermatology. The current editor has striven to uphold the style and emphasis that Paul Buxton brought to the ABC of Dermatology to ensure that it is a valuable resource for any medical and nursing practitioner who is diagnosing and managing skin disease.
In addition to a wholly practical approach to clinical dermatology, the Sixth Edition gives insights into the latest thinking around the pathophysiological processes that explain the characteristic features of skin disease and the current approach to its management including the newer biological agents for treating inflammatory disease and tumours.
The fascination of dermatology lies partly in the visual nature of the discipline and also in one's ability to diagnose systemic disease through examination of the skin surface. Manifestations of an underlying disease can form specific patterns in the skin, which in some instances are pathognomonic. Internal physicians need to be aware of the 'signs posting' of skin disorders towards the unifying underlying diagnosis. However, even a highly skilled dermatologist will at times be uncertain of the diagnosis and a simple skin biopsy for histopathology/immunohistochemistry and/or culture is greatly helpful in most cases in the diagnosis and to reach a definitive management plan.
Nonetheless, for those working in poor resource settings, there may be little access to modern investigations for skin disease patients and therefore the clinical diagnosis will be the benchmark on which skin disease is managed. To this end the Sixth Edition is full of clinical photographs eliciting the appearances of skin disease in a multitude of different pigmented skin tones and ethnic groups. Descriptions of skin management include simple and relatively cheap interventions as well as sophisticated cutting edge immunotherapies.
On a global scale, the number of people with access to the internet via computers or mobile devices is increasing at a rapid pace. This enables them to access a multitude of resources including those related to the diagnosis and management of human disease. An informed patient can be hugely beneficial to everyone involved in the provision of healthcare; however, at times this can lead to patients becoming overly anxious or misinformed. There is an increasing use of teledermatology in many parts of the world where populations are a long distance away from a skin specialist from where images of the patient's skin complaints are taken and sent to an expert for a virtual opinion. This can be immensely helpful; however, ultimately the gold standard for accurate diagnosis and management of skin disease is still seeing patients in person preferably by a practitioner with personal knowledge and experience of skin disease.
I sincerely hope the Sixth Edition of the ABC of Dermatology will not only introduce the reader to a fascinating clinical discipline but will also help them to diagnose and manage skin disease in whichever part of the world they are working.
We are all hugely grateful to Paul Buxton for all his hard work on the previous editions of the ABC of Dermatology and I hope he will be proud of how the Sixth Edition has enhanced what he originally created.
I would like to dedicate the Sixth Edition of the ABC of Dermatology to all the unsung heroes of medical education who work enthusiastically with absolute dedication for little recognition or reward other than to know that by sharing their knowledge they ultimately help more patients. Rachael Morris-Jones

List of Contributors, vii

Preface, ix

Acknowledgements, xi

1 Introduction, 1

Rachael Morris-Jones

2 Psoriasis, 11

Rachael Morris-Jones

3 Management of Psoriasis, 18

Rachael Morris-Jones

4 Eczema (Dermatitis), 26

Rachael Morris-Jones

5 Urticaria and Angio-oedema, 38

Rachael Morris-Jones

6 Skin and Photosensitivity, 42

Rachael Morris-Jones

7 Drug Rashes, 48

Sarah Walsh

8 Immunobullous and Other Blistering Disorders, 55

Rachael Morris-Jones

9 Connective Tissue Disease, Vasculitis and Related Disorders, 62

Rachael Morris-Jones

10 The Skin and Systemic Disease, 70

Rachael Morris-Jones

11 Leg Ulcers, 82

Rachael Morris-Jones

12 Acne and Rosacea, 89

Rachael Morris-Jones

13 Bacterial Infections, 97

Rachael Morris-Jones

14 Viral Infections, 105

Rachael Morris-Jones

15 HIV and the Skin, 114

Rachael Morris-Jones

16 Fungal Infections, 121

Rachael Morris-Jones

17 Insect Bites and Infestations, 128

Rachael Morris-Jones

18 Tropical Dermatolpgy, 135

Rachael Morris-Jones

19 Hair and Scalp, 144

Kapil Bhargava and David Fenton

20 Diseases of the Nails, 151

David de Berker

21 Benign Skin Tumours, 161

Rachael Morris-Jones

22 Premalignant and Malignant, 172

Rachael Morris-Jones

23 Practical Procedures and Skin Surgery, 183

Raj Mallipeddi

24 Lasers, Intense Pulsed Light and Photodynamic Therapy, 191

Alun V. Evans

25 Wound Management and Bandaging, 197

Bernadette Byrne

26 Formulary, 212

Karen Watson

Index, 221

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