Skin Conditions
Smoking and the Skin
Monday, March 4th, 2013-Smoking is a major problem and particularly in young people. In the past years, increased smoking has been observed in young women. -It would be responsible for at least a quarter of all deaths, because of cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer. On the skin, smoking is responsible for the following changes: Premature Aging: the skin […]
Neurofibromatosis
Sunday, March 3rd, 2013Neurofibromatosis: Neurofibromas What is Neurofibromatosis ? It is part of the phacomatoses and different forms exist. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. What are the types of neurofibromatosis and what do they look like ? Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is called Von Recklinghausen’s Disease: It is most frequently associated with cutaneous alterations. It […]
Darier’s Disease (Keratosis Follicularis)
Wednesday, February 27th, 2013Dr Christophe Hsu – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland What is Darier’s disease (keratosis follicularis) ? Also called Darier-White Disease. Is one of the most common genodermatosis and affects one person out of 30000. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. What is it caused by ? The mutated gene codes for a calcium channel regulator. […]
Chicken pox
Wednesday, February 27th, 2013What is chicken pox ? It is an infectious condition caused by a virus called Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). It typically affects children. Does it always present ? Once infected, lesions present only after two to three weeks (incubation period). In 30% of cases, there is no obvious manifestation (subclinical). How does it look like […]
Tuberous Sclerosis (TSC)
Tuesday, February 26th, 2013What is tuberous sclerosis ? TSC is also called Bourneville-Pringle disease, Epiloia. It affects is of 1 individual out of 15000. It is an inherited (genodermatosis) neurocutaneous disorder with systemic and neurological manifestations (phacomatosis). It what way is it inherited ? It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. However this is not absolute as […]
Ichthyosis Vulgaris
Saturday, January 26th, 2013Ichthyosis Vulgaris: close-up What is ichthyosis vulgaris ? It is an inherited condition (Autosomal dominant pattern) It affects one in 250 people. What does it look like ? It causes dry scaly plaques. The lesions are usually more prominent on the limbs (arms and legs). The plaques usually start to appear a few months after […]
Dermatofibroma
Tuesday, November 6th, 2012Dr Christophe HSU – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland What is dermatofibroma ? It is a benign condition It typically appears in females 9 times more often than in males. It is also known as superficial benign fibrous histiocytoma. What is it caused by ? The exact cause of its development is unknown. There was an inital […]
Skin Manifestations related to Obesity
Saturday, November 3rd, 2012What is obesity ? Obesity is a public health problem in the industrialized world. It is defined by a BMI (Body Mass Index) of more than 30 Kg/m2. In the United States, it is estimated that 30% of individuals are overweight or obese (BMI more than 25) What medical conditions can we find when obesity […]
Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Newborn
Saturday, September 29th, 2012Subcutaneous Fat necrosis of the newborn What is Subcutaneous Fat necrosis of the newborn ? It is a lobular panniculitis. It is associated with complications during labor (labour) It presents as asymptomatic indurated subcutaneous dark-red nodules which are typically located in bone proeminant areas (upper back, proximal limbs, cheeks…) When does it occur ? It […]
Pyogenic Granuloma (Botryomycoma in French)
Wednesday, September 12th, 2012Dr Christophe HSU – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland What is it ? Pyogenic granuloma is a benign skin condition caused by the rapid proliferation of blood vessels. Lobular Capillary Hemangioma is the correct name. How does it look like ? Clinically, pyogenic granuloma presents as a fast-growing nodule (s) which is easily broken. Its color (colour) […]
