Zohra Zaidi - Treatment of Skin Diseases : A Practical Guide

This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland

This book is an excellent example of comprehensive treatment delivered in a user friendly way for general practitioners (GPs). It tackles common skin conditions encountered by GPs in the community and gives useful tips to help with the diagnosis and then outlines treatment in a methodical and logical manner.

Dermatology consultations form about 66% of a GPs workload, and therefore it is important to have a sound understanding of these common skin conditions so treatment can be made more effective. This book combines basic knowledge, diagnostic clues and advice on treatment, saving resources on referrals to secondary care. It is very well illustrated helping with pattern recognition, which is the first most important step in the diagnosis of skin conditions.

The fact that the book is written by a dermatologist and a GP with a special interest in dermatology adds to the relevance of treatment of skin conditions in the community.

The book will be especially useful to GPs, trainee GPs and allied healthcare professionals wishing to improve their knowledge of clinical dermatology without having to delve into large textbooks of dermatology.

The book gives a comprehensive account on the treatment of common skin diseases at the primary care level. It covers diseases of both developed and underdeveloped countries. In an underdeveloped country a primary care physician especially of the rural areas has to see every skin disease because medical facilities are very limited.

An accurate diagnosis is the key to successful treatment. Keeping this in mind we have included a brief description of the disease followed by the treatment. The first line of treatment is given in detail; the other treatment options are briefly referred. Important investigations and practical points to help in diagnosis are mentioned where required. Photographs are included for most diseases and an atlas of differentials is included to help the young doctors to diagnose and treat skin diseases.

To further help in the treatment, a section is included on the management of common skin problems. The book also has an appendix of topical and systemic drugs used in dermatology. The therapeutic doses are taken from the standard textbooks and British National Formulary (BNF).

Indications for referrals to consultants or secondary care are given where necessary. This should guide the primary care professionals to make the right decision at the right time, thus preventing any delay in referral and at the same time reducing burden at secondary and tertiary care level.

Cosmetic dermatology is included because it is in vogue, and a primary care physician is often asked about these procedures before the patient decides for them.

This book should not only help primary care physicians but can also be a management guide for allied health professionals, students, hospital doctors in wards, those interested in dermatology and trainee dermatologists.