A four-day exhibition "Freedom from Skin Diseases" hosted by the Dermatology Specialty Wing of Manipal Hospital in the city started on August 12. The exhibition highlighting the diseases and disorders of the skin and treatment options available, would display latest aspects of the biology and management of the healthy skin apart from other well established procedures such as hair transplantation, liposuction, laser surgery and aesthetic dermatology, all aimed at enhancement of the normal rather than merely curing disease.
The exhibits and literature at the exhibition educate people on diseases and disorders like Acne (Pimples), Fungal diseases, birthmarks, scars, moles, chemical peels, skin cancers, pigmentation and treatment procedures like laser beam therapy, cutaneous surgery, dermabrasion, Co2 laser, radio frequency, and botox treatments among others.
Commenting on the exhibition, Dr. Krupashankar, head, department of Dermatology, Manipal Hospital stated that every individual has at least one episode of skin disease in his or her life, which may be a viral wart, acne, a boil and sometimes a life threatening skin disease. “it is very interesting to note that 30 per cent of the patients who go to see any doctor all over the world complain of a skin, hair or nail problem and 10 per cent of the patients consult doctors primarily for a skin problem. Unfortunately, the trained dermatologist gets an opportunity to examine, opine and advice, only after the patients have gone through from kitchen and home remedies to self styled "skin specialists" operating out of slimming centers. The exhibition aims at educating people to change this trend and encourage visits to specialty doctors instead," he quipped.
There are 25 well-recognized drug eruptions that appear on the skin apart from many less common ones. Of the 600 odd drugs used in modern medicine, more than 400 are capable of producing hives in those who are allergic to them. The undesirable effects of allied systems of medicine on the skin are just beginning to be documented. Almost all serious bodily diseases of the kidneys, liver, blood, hormones and brain and spine present with characteristic symptoms on the skin and there are over 2000 described and documented skin diseases that arise primarily in the skin itself.
Dr. Krupashankar said, "In the past skin diseases were considered chronic and incurable. With the advancement in our understanding of the biology and immunology of the skin, as well as developments in genetics, pharmacology, biotechnology, medical electronics and instrumentation, we are now in a position to boldly proclaim freedom from skin disease as an achievable goal.”
The dermatology department in the Hospital was the first in Karnataka to offer Laser Surgery, Phototherapy, Cryotherapy and Allergy Testing and has treated diseases and disorders of skin, nail and hair. The dermatology consultants at Manipal are sought after for the continuing education programme in the specialty.