Dermatology in Sheffield

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it is important to see a medical specialist to find out the cause:

• Skin discolouration
• Dry skin
• Skin lesions
• Peeling skin
• Skin rashes
• Lumps or bumps on the skin
• A mole that has changed size, colour or shape
• Itchy skin
• Excessive sweating
• Skin sensitivity or allergies

Some of the most common dermatology conditions we manage at Thornbury Hospital include:

• Acne: Currently, around 85% of people in the UK may experience acne at some point in their lives. Acne can commonly be seen in adolescence, due to hormonal changes causing the skin to become more oily which in turn blocks the pores. These pores can then become infected which leads to spots or papules developing.
• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): Basal cell carcinoma is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer and is present in 3 in 4 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma usually develops in areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun such as the nose, forehead, cheeks, back or lower legs, and usually begins as a painless lump that enlarges and can be itchy or may bleed if scratched.
• Abscesses, lumps and bumps: An abscess is a painful lump formed when your body produces a ‘wall’ around an infected area. Pus starts to form within this wall causing the lump to grow and become more painful. Abscesses can form anywhere in your body.
• Eczema: Eczema is a skin condition that causes itchy, red, flaky and dry skin and is usually found on the elbows, back of the knees and the hands. It can occur at any age and is long-lasting, causing significant discomfort to daily life.
• Hair loss (alopecia): Alopecia is term used to describe hair loss. The most common cause of alopecia is male and female pattern hair loss, but alopecia areata which leads to patches of hair loss is also common. Scarring alopecia, which is less common, can lead to permanent hair loss.
• Melanoma: Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other organs in the body. Usually, the first sign of melanoma is a new mole or a change in size, shape or colour of an existing mole. Melanoma can develop on or near other non-cancerous (benign) skin growths. The signs of melanoma can be spotted using the ABCDE criteria:
  • Asymmetry
  • Border irregular
  • Colour irregular
  • Diameter more than 6mm
  • Elevation (becoming more raised)
• Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition commonly affecting the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. It presents as red and flaky patches on the skin which can be covered in silvery scales. Psoriasis can be very itchy and painful.
• Skin lesions: Skin lesions are areas of the skin that are abnormal in appearance compared to the surrounding area. There are a variety of skin lesions with several different causes, for example moles, skin tags, blisters and cysts. Most skin lesions are non-cancerous (benign), but if a skin lesion is cancerous, other treatment may be needed as well as skin lesion removal surgery to treat them.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer and is present in 1 in 5 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma usually develops in areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, such as the head, neck, hands and forearms. In a minority of cases, squamous cell carcinoma can develop around the vulva, anus, scars, ulcerations or skin areas that have been burnt. It usually looks like a crusty and scaly ulcer, or a bumpy and hard lump.

• Acne treatment: When acne is mild, it can usually be treated with over the counter topical medication, such as benzoyl peroxide creams or an antibacterial cream containing topical retinoids such as Tretinoin. If these treatments fail to treat your acne, you may be prescribed a course of oral antibiotics such as tetracyclines over a period of up to six months. Alternatively, female patients may be offered the combined oral contraceptive pill as its hormonal effects can help improve the skin, although it can take up to twelve months for the full benefits to show.
• Eczema treatment: There are currently a large variety of treatments available for eczema including:

• Topical emollients (moisturisers) to help keep the skin moist and act as a barrier
• Topical steroid creams to ease itching, redness, soreness and weeping
• Topical calcineurin inhibitors to ease itching, redness, soreness and weeping
• Antiseptic preparations to reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin
• Dressings or bandages to protect the skin and help the creams penetrate the skin
• Antibiotic creams to help with skin infections

• Phototherapy
• UV light treatment to ease itching and improve the appearance of the eczema
• Immunosuppressive medications in cases of severe eczema

• Hair loss (alopecia) treatment: Depending on the cause of your hair loss, there are various methods available to treat hair loss such as topical, tablets or steroid injections. The aim of hair loss treatment is to treat the disease that is causing the hair loss, and to help camouflage the loss.
• Skin lesion removal surgery: Skin lesion removal surgery is usually done as a complete excision (excision biopsy), or a partial excision (shave biopsy). The type of surgery needed to remove your lesion depends on the type of lesion you have, the size and location.
• Abscess incision and drainage: The majority of abscesses will need to be drained under a general anaesthetic, but if your abscess is small, it might be drained under a local anaesthetic. Your consultant will make a small incision (cut) on your skin over the abscess, allowing the pus to drain out.

Your consultant will discuss your symptoms, along with suitable diagnostic investigations and treatment options, ensuring you are fully informed about these. They will also discuss your medical history and any past procedures or investigations to create your tailored treatment plan.

We offer a directly accessible dermatology service for patients with a variety of dermatological problems. This service is complemented by a range of dermatological investigations. Using the close working relationship of the consultants and staff at Thornbury Hospital, patients with various types of dermatological conditions can be expertly managed.

Depending on the scan or test required, you may be able to have it on the same day as your initial consultation, but we would usually arrange it for a few days after your initial consultation at a day and time to suit you.

Your health is of utmost importance, and our team are here to support you every step of the way.

We know that choosing to have a procedure is a big decision, which is why our multidisciplinary team are on hand to support you, following a consultant-led treatment plan.

When you choose to go private with Thornbury Hospital in Sheffield, you’ll benefit from:

• Flexible appointment times to suit your lifestyle
• Custom treatment plans tailored to you and your individual need
• Consultant-led treatment plans supported by our dedicated team, with *98.6% of patients saying their overall experience of the nursing care was very good, or excellent
• Modern facilities benefitting from free on-site parking, 64 private ensuite rooms, catering from our restaurant and much more
• Fixed-price packages including aftercare
• Ability to spread the cost of your treatment over a period of up to five years
• Fast access to treatment, usually within 48 hours for a consultation with one of our specialists

To find out more about our dermatology service, give us a call or book online today for your consultation with one of our leading dermatology consultants.

^{_{*During the period of January to December 2022, Thornbury Hospital received 2,870 completed Inpatient/Day Case patient surveys.}}