Dermatology

Skin provides you with your sense of touch, protects your body from the elements, synthesises vitamin D and helps to regulate your body temperature. It is a remarkable organ and plays an important role in your health.

Your skin is the largest organ in your body and any type of damage to it can have a significant impact on your overall health, wellbeing and quality of life. Unfortunately, there are a number of ways skin can be damaged:

• Ultraviolet light/sun damage
• Irritants and allergens
• Specific skin diseases
• Genetic factors
• Stress
• Injury

Skin problems are very common and can affect all ages. If a problem occurs in a more visible place, such as on your face or an arm, you may find it has a surprisingly big negative impact on your self-confidence.

While some skin conditions can clear up naturally over time, many others will need professional medical treatment and management in order to successfully resolve your symptoms. Dermatology is the study and treatment of the skin, hair and nails. A doctor who specialises in this area is known as a Dermatologist.

If you are concerned or worried about any kind of skin problem, the best person to see for help will always be an accredited Consultant Dermatologist. Their training and expertise will enable them to assess and diagnose the problem and plan appropriate treatment for your specific needs.

At The Shirley Oaks Hospital, our Consultant Dermatologists see, manage and treat all types of skin problems, from inflammatory skin conditions to different types of skin cancer.

Whether you are frustrated by an itchy rash or concerned about a mole that has recently grown bigger or changed shape or colour, why not book an appointment to see one of our Consultant Dermatologist today?

They would be delighted to meet with you to discuss your skin condition and arrange treatment needed.

People come to see the Consultant Dermatologists at Shirley Oaks for help with a wide variety of skin conditions. Commonly seen conditions include:

• Acne – causes oily skin and spots, commonly on the face, neck and back
• Contact dermatitis – the dermis is the inner layer of skin and -itis describes inflammation. When certain substances come into contact with your skin, they may cause it to become inflamed. This can result in the skin becoming cracked, blistered or itchy
• Eczema – a broad group of conditions that cause the skin to become dry and irritated. Tends to be a long-term condition and can range in severity
• Psoriasis – a problem with the immune system causes patches of skin to become red, dry and scaly.
• Rosacea – flushing around the face or neck caused by an inflammatory skin condition
• Hives (urticaria) - a raised, itchy rash on the skin. It may affect only one area
• Skin cancer - the commonest cause of cancer in the UK is non-melanoma skin cancer (Basal cell carcinoma or Squamous Cell Carcinoma). Early detection and prompt treatment of all types of skin cancer is important. All types of skin cancer are increasing in the UK.
• Changing moles - moles can change and develop into a very serious type of skin cancer called melanoma. Early detection of melanoma is extremely important. Always have a changed mole checked by a specialist.

In addition, they can investigate and treat:

• All types of Inflammatory skin diseases including autoimmune skin disease
• Any skin allergies – either known or suspected
• All types of ‘lumps and bumps’

Whatever skin problem you have, your Consultant Dermatologist will provide you with expert assessment and diagnosis. If treatment is needed, they will arrange that for you.

When you first meet with your Consultant Dermatologist at The Shirley Oaks Hospital, they will talk with you about your symptoms. Information they will want to know includes:

• What your symptoms are?
• When you first noticed them?
• Whether they’ve been getting worse?
• What treatments you’ve tried already?
• Whether anything is causing you particular concern (for example, are you worrying you may have skin cancer)?

They will take a medical history and examine the affected area(s) of skin. For some skin conditions, further investigations may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis. These may include:

• Blood tests
• Allergy testing - certain things can produce an unusually strong response in the immune system despite there being no danger to the body from them. These are known as allergens, and they may cause reactions in the skin. Allergy testing helps clarify the substances that cause a reaction in your skin. Allergy testing may involve taking a blood sample or doing Skin Patch Tests.
• Mole mapping - The number of moles on your body and their position is measured and recorded (mapped). Repeated over time, this can help show any changes in numbers, size and/or position of the moles. It is used when screening for suspected melanoma.
• Biopsy – a small sample of skin is removed and sent for further analysis (histology) to confirm the diagnosis, including whether there is a skin cancer.

Your Consultant will arrange any tests that are needed to confirm a diagnosis. Once the results of any tests are back, they will discuss the results and explore suitable treatment options with you. Treatment for a skin condition may involve watchful waiting, medication, application of a topical cream or ointment or skin surgery.

Skin surgery or procedures available at The Shirley Oaks Hospital includes:

• Removal (excision) of skin lesions – the skin sample removed is always sent away for analysis
• Mole removal
• Cyst removal
• Skin tag removal
• Skin cancer surgery
• Cryotherapy

If you require skin surgery or cryotherapy, your Consultant will explain how it will be done, the results you should expect to see and any potential risk you should be aware of.

Following treatment, if your symptoms recur, or you have any questions or concerns at any time, it is very easy to arrange to see your Consultant again to discuss these with them.

People in Croydon and the surrounding areas choose to visit Shirley Oaks for their skin treatments.

Many will have been referred by their GP or through their private medical insurance company. Others will choose to self-refer because they want to get help sooner than is possible elsewhere.

We treat people with private medical insurance and self-pay patients.

When you choose The Shirley Oaks Hospital, benefits include:

• Access to an expert in skin health, ASAP – If you’re concerned, worried or frustrated by a skin problem, you’ll appreciate being able to see a skin specialist as soon as possible. We can book you a private appointment with an experienced Consultant Dermatologist quickly so that you’re able to benefit from starting any treatment required sooner.
• Flexible appointments: We offer private appointments throughout the week, making it easy to find a time that’s convenient for you. Bookings can be made online or by phone.
• Remote consultations available – The majority of consultations for skin conditions are carried out in person at Shirley Oaks, but we are able to offer remote consultations by telephone or online video call if needed and where clinically appropriate.
• Bespoke treatment – Skin problems can be caused by a number of factors and treatment is always best when it’s tailored to you and your unique situation. Your Consultant Dermatologist will review your response to treatment at appropriate intervals and adjust things when necessary to provide you with the best relief of symptoms.
• Multidisciplinary team - Your Consultant Dermatologist is supported by a number of other healthcare professionals at Shirley Oaks, including radiologists, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) surgeons, rheumatologists and plastic surgeons. This range of expertise help ensure you receive the support and treatment that is best for you, whatever your skin condition.
• On-site parking – We’re very easy to travel to and our car park has 100 spaces, so you won’t need to worry about where to park when you visit for your appointment.

Effective treatments are available for a wide range of skin problems and our experienced Consultant Dermatologists would be delighted to help you. They will fully investigate the cause(s) of your problem and then talk with you about suitable treatment options available.

If you are concerned or frustrated by a skin condition, why not book your private appointment online now?