A patch test is a method used to determine if a specific substance causes inflammation of the skin. It is often used to test for allergens. The Procedure of Patch Test On the first visit, tiny quantities of 25 to 150 materials (allergens) in individual square plastic or round aluminium chambers are applied to the […]
Systemwise
Cirrhosis of Liver- Causes, Presentation and Treatment
Cirrhosis of the liver condition characterized by hepatic cell necrosis, resulting in the collapse of hepatic architecture and nodular regeneration along with regenerative attempts leading to the formation of nodules. It is a progressive condition and develops over many years, slowly. Eventually, unabated, it could end the liver function. Cirrhosis is caused by many different […]
Molluscum Contagiosum – Symptoms and Treatment
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin or occasionally of the mucous membranes. This condition is also known as water warts. It is caused by a DNA poxvirus called the molluscum contagiosum virus. Molluscum contagiosum virus is the largest virus affecting human beings. This is a cytoplasmic virus that gets implanted on the […]
Viral Hepatitis – Presentation and Treatment
Viral hepatitis can be caused by any one of the Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis E and Delta virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, rubella virus and virus of yellow fever. Hepatitis A Virus This is an RNA virus transmitted by feco-oral route. Incubation period is 2-6 weeks. It leads to acute […]
Warts – Presentation and Treatment
Warts are a skin growth caused by viral infection. Warts are thought to occur when there is an infection of the skin by the papilloma virus. Papilloma virus is a DNA virus and is known to have more than 40 subtypes distinguished on the basis of the viral genome. Different subtypes are associated with different […]
Tinea Infections – Types, Presentation and Treatment
Tinea is a fungal skin infection. It is commonly known as ringworm but the spectrum of tinea is far wider. Most conditions identified as tinea are members of the imperfect fungi that make up the dermatophytes. However, conditions such as Tinea nigra and Tinea versicolor are not caused by dermatophytes. Dermatophytes live on keratinous structures […]
Renal Mass- Types, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
Renal mass refers to the presence of growths in the kidney which could be cystic [mostly benign] or solid [often malignant]. Thus a renal mass can be benign or malignant swelling. The smaller renal masses are often benign but larger ones are malignant. Most of these are diagnosed when they are still localized. A localized […]
Xeroderma Pigmentosum: Causes, Treatment and Prognosis
Xeroderma pigmentosum is a genetic disorder of extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet light and is characterized by photosensitivity, pigmentary changes, premature skin aging, and malignant tumor development. It is transmitted as an autosomal recessive character caused by defective repair of the damage to DNA induced by sunlight. The frequency is about 1 case per 250,000 population […]
Clinical Examination Of Abdomen
Like all other examinations, the examination of the abdomen begins with the history of the patient. A patient of abdominal disorder may present with numerous symptoms which must be asked whilst taking the history and noted on examination. History The history begins by asking the patient about the main complaints. Then we move on to […]
Freckles Causes and Treatment
Freckles manifest as asymptomatic small, circular, brownish macules, 2 to 3 mm in diameter which start appearing early in life on the face, dorsal aspects of the hands and extensors of the forearms, and keep on increasing in number as the age advances. They may appear in people as young as 1 or 2 years […]