Dermatology

The primary aim of the Department of Dermatology is to provide outstanding dermatological care in a cost-effective manner to all patients in the dermatology clinic. We treat the poor, destitute, lepers and other patients (such as HIV patients) with the same compassion, care and empathy as we treat the affluent patients. These words translate into action in our general outpatient department, which is one of the busiest in our hospital, where we tackle the toughest of all cases.

The Department of Dermatology offers procedures and services both investigative and curative, pertaining to general dermatology, cosmetic dermatology and venereology. Comprehensive consultation and treatment is provided for both outpatients and inpatients covering all dermatological conditions including:

• General dermatology
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Cosmetology
• Leprosy

In addition to basic services like skin biopsies/excisions, scrapings and smears (fungal; AFB/Tzanck smears; urethral smears, etc.) and chemical cauterization (with podophyllin), the department also offers the following specialized services:

• Radiofrequency surgery
• Cryosurgery
• Vitiligo surgery
• Acne surgery
• Hair disorders : investigations and surgery
• Nail disorders : investigations and surgery
• Allergy and patch testing

Radiofrequency surgery : The Department of Dermatology employs the use of high-frequency cutting current for ablation/cauterization of various skin lesions. Common indications include:

• Viral warts
• Skin tags
• Seborrheic keratosis
• Milia, etc.

Phototherapy : The main indications for phototherapy include:

• Psoriasis
• Vitiligo
• Extensive alopecia areata
• Lichen planus, etc.

Cryosurgery : The department utilizes liquid nitrogen for cryosurgery, which is useful for a variety of benign and malignant skin conditions including:

• Warts
• Molluscum
• Naevi
• Acne (for both infl ammatory and scars)
• Keloids
• Leukoplakia
• Actinic keratosis
• Basal cell carcinoma

Vitiligo surgery : The department has started punch grafting and cosmetic tattooing for stable vitiligo lesions.

Chemical peeling : Simple procedures are conducted for treating acne, such as comedone extraction and peels : both cryo peels as well as chemical peels. These peels are also useful for the treatment of post-acne scarring and hyperpigmentation. Glycolic acid peeling is also indicated for other conditions showing excessive pigmentation like melasma (pigmentation of the face usually seen in pregnant, perimenopausal females). The department also uses subcision, punch excision and grafting for acne scars revision/facial resurfacing

Nail disorders : Procedures for nail disorders include nail avulsions, nail matrix biopsies.

Allergy and patch testing : The department uses a full allergy test panel for the investigation of conditions such as chronic urticaria. Patch tests are indicated for the investigation of contact allergic dermatitis (e.g. cement dermatitis, hair dye dermatitis, footwear dermatitis, etc.).