A dermatologist is the medical expert you should consult if you have any significant problem with your skin. Dermatology is the science that is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin, hair and nails. Dermatology involves but is not limited to study, research, and diagnosis of normal and disorders, diseases, cancers, cosmetic and ageing conditions of the skin, fat, hair, nails and oral and genital membranes, and the management of these by different investigations and therapies, including but not limited to dermatohistopathology, topical and systemic medications, dermatologic surgery and dermatologic cosmetic surgery, immunotherapy, phototherapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy.

Common skin diseases include:

• Skin cancer
• Warts
• Fungal infections
• Dermatitis
• Psoriasis - a skin disorder which affects 100,000 New Zealanders.
• Acne affects every teenager to one degree or another.
• Hand dermatitis, resulting from external contact with detergents and household chemicals, affects most women with young families.
• One in six of all children develop atopic eczema.
• One in five persons suffers from cold sores (herpes simplex).