DERMATOLOGYin Antigua and Barbuda
Dermatology is the study of disorders of the skin, hair, nails, oral and genital membranes. A dermatologist is a specialist doctor who diagnoses and treats diseases of these organs. Dermatologists often work in collaboration with other consultants and perform minor surgery such as skin biopsies and curettage.
The skin is the largest organ in the body. It weighs between 6 to 9 pounds and covers a surface area of about two square yards. The skin is an important organ as it protects a person from bacterial and viral infections, maintains temperature controls and is involved in the synthesis of certain vitamins.
About fifteen to twenty percent of office visits to general practitioners are for dermatology conditions. The most common skin conditions seen in Antigua and Barbuda are acne, dermatitis, fungal infections, bacterial skin infections, viral infections, warts, benign tumors and psoriasis.
68 | BusinessFocus • October/November 2011
Female patients outnumber male patients and the age group seen most is in the twenty one to forty-five years category.
In Antigua and Barbuda, certain skin conditions may predominate over others at various periods throughout the year. For example, during the months of June to August, there is an increase in the number of cases of fungal skin infections. During December to February there is an increase in cases of viral infections. The year 2011 has seen an exceptional rise in the number of diagnosis for varicella (Chicken Pox). Chicken Pox is a highly contagious skin rash which usually runs a mild course in children but is harsher in adults.
The most common complaint among teenagers is Acne. About eighty percent of teenagers will get this condition which due to a complex interaction of genetics, hormones, sebaceous gland secretions, bacteria on the skin, the way the skin heals, diet and stress. The
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