Fairness Magazine & Dott. Maurizio Nudo
The arrival of spring coincides with the time of year when we pay the most attention to our skin. This happens because the first warm weather means that areas of skin kept covered during the long winter months finally become exposed again, in some cases showing some imperfections that rightly arouse our curiosity.
This is the right time, should this happen, to visit a dermatologist for a check-up
“The first concern,” says Dr Maurizio Nudo, https://maurizionudo.it/ must be to bring one’s moles to the attention of the specialist, so that it is possible to check if there are any ‘at risk’. Due to Covid, in the last two years there have not been many opportunities to undergo dermatological examinations, so it is important to do so now, to prevent as much as possible the possible formation of skin tumours, which, precisely because the number of check-ups in the past months has decreased, have been increasing steadily in recent times”.
Should the check of the skin for cancerous formations only concern moles?
“No, another situation that needs to be carefully assessed by the dermatologist are the small red spots on the skin characterised by fine desquamation, which can be a sign of initial forms of precancerosis, called actinic keratosis.”
Among the most common skin problems at this time of year are mycoses. What are they?
“Skin mycoses mainly affect parts of the body such as the trunk and upper limbs. They are caused by pityriasis versicolor, a pathogen giving rise to milky-white or pinkish patches that are also scaling and cause intense itching’.”
Can mycosis also affect nails?
“Yes, we are talking about onychomycosis, pathologies that mainly affect the toenails but also those of the hands. In these cases it is very important to undergo a dermatological examination, because often what are believed to be problems due to the presence and proliferation of a fungus are nothing more than traumas due to the use of shoes that are too tight or specific footwear used in the workplace, such as personal protective equipment. The correct identification of the cause is important because it allows the most effective treatment to be adopted for the individual case’.”
Other diseases that occur with some frequency at this time of year are photodermatitis, how should one deal with this?
“Photodermatitis is nothing more than a form of dermatitis related to sun exposure. Generally, those who come to be examined do so to avoid finding themselves in the same condition as in previous years, when after their first exposure to the sun they found their skin ‘red as a pepper’. In such cases, the specialist arranges for blood tests to be carried out to check how the immune system of the person concerned is functioning. In addition to photodermatitis, one must be careful of disorders that are difficult to recognise because they present themselves in the form of sunburn, whereas they are a real skin disorder that, if neglected, can leave perennial scars. It is said that this pathology ‘eats’ the skin, which is why it is called cutaneous Lupus erythematosus, as if the damage caused were the work of a wolf’.”
Atopic dermatitis also makes its appearance in these weeks …
“That’s right, atopic dermatitis affects children in particular and appears especially at this time of year marked by changes in temperature, when days still connected to the cold winter and days already projected towards the warmth of spring coexist. Children who genetically have more sensitive skin suffer the effects of these temperature changes and by scratching themselves they cause damage to their skin, which is drier than normal. The result is the development of eczema that can also lead to infections, because the hands, especially those of the youngest, are not always clean’.”
Then there is psoriasis, a condition that develops mainly in the winter period but which we sometimes only become aware of with the first warmth. Why does this happen?
“It is true that it is a form that finds its greatest expression in the winter, but it is equally true that it is now that the person affected feels the need to treat himself, so as to arrive at the summer with ‘clean’ skin. Because the silvery scales typical of psoriasis – which occur on the elbows, knees, scalp and trunk – are considered unsightly and therefore there is a need to eliminate them. It is a social problem, as well as a medical one, concerning interaction with other people. This is why it is hoped to achieve at least a partial solution to this skin problem’.”
And finally, let’s talk about seborrhoeic dermatitis, what does it look like?
“Seborrhoeic dermatitis appears as a deep red colour on the supraciliary arches and the nasolabial grooves. Many patients arrive exasperated at the dermatologist, because they have been suffering from this problem all winter and now that the summer season is here, they no longer accept seeing their face in this condition. It is often thought that this type of dermatitis can be solved by DIY, using cortisone creams bought in pharmacies or on the Internet, but this is not the case. One must not forget that cortisone is like a drug: when you stop taking it, the dermatitis appears even stronger than before. It is important, therefore, before taking any step, to hear the opinion of a dermatologist, who is in charge of indicating the best treatment for the specific case’.”
In general, is it always better to avoid do-it-yourself treatments? Even when skin problems seem minimal?
“Yes, homemade cures should always be avoided, because what may seem like a minor problem may instead hide a condition that needs to be kept under control, with often not being able to tell whether a certain skin reaction is due to an acute inflammatory phase or rather to an exaggerated and incorrect medication taken or used on one’s own initiative.”
Dott. Maurizio Nudo – https://maurizionudo.it/
Ig – @fairness_mag
