Dermatology Department at AS Medical Complex

Specialized Care for Skin, Hair & Nail Conditions

The Dermatology Department at AS Medical Complex provides comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of conditions affecting the skin, hair, scalp, and nails in adults and children.

Dermatologists are medical doctors who specialize in diseases of the skin, hair, and nails. These conditions range from common problems such as acne and eczema to chronic inflammatory disorders, pigmentation problems, hair loss, nail disorders, infections, and suspicious skin lesions.

Our approach focuses on identifying the underlying cause of each patient's symptoms and developing an appropriate treatment and follow-up plan based on the diagnosis, severity of disease, age, medical history, and individual needs.

Our Dermatology Services

The Dermatology Department at AS Medical Complex may provide assessment and management for:

• Acne and acne-related skin problems
• Acne scarring
• Eczema and dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Skin allergies and allergic rashes
• Urticaria or hives
• Rosacea
• Fungal skin infections
• Bacterial skin infections
• Viral skin conditions
• Warts
• Vitiligo
• Hyperpigmentation
• Melasma
• Dark spots and uneven pigmentation
• Dry and itchy skin
• Hair loss
• Alopecia
• Scalp disorders
• Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis
• Nail disorders
• Skin infections
• Suspicious moles and skin lesions
• Cysts and other common skin growths
• Pediatric skin conditions
• Chronic inflammatory skin diseases
• Autoimmune skin conditions
• Dermatological assessment before minor procedures
• Skin biopsy when clinically indicated and available
• Long-term follow-up of chronic dermatological conditions

The exact services and procedures offered depend on specialist availability and the patient's clinical condition.

Acne Treatment

Acne is one of the most common conditions treated by dermatologists and can appear as blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, nodules, or cysts. Different forms of acne may require different treatment approaches rather than a single treatment for every patient.

Patients may seek dermatology consultation for:

• Persistent facial acne
• Acne on the chest or back
• Painful acne
• Cystic or nodular acne
• Acne that leaves dark marks
• Acne scarring
• Adult acne
• Acne that has not improved with over-the-counter products

Treatment depends on the type and severity of acne and may include topical medicines, oral medicines, appropriate skin-care recommendations, or other dermatologist-directed treatment.

Early appropriate management may also help reduce the risk of persistent marks and scarring.

Eczema & Dermatitis

Eczema refers to conditions that cause inflamed, itchy, and often dry skin. Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic form of eczema that can occur at any age, although it frequently begins during childhood.

Symptoms may include:

• Dry skin
• Persistent itching
• Red or inflamed patches
• Scaling
• Cracking
• Skin thickening
• Oozing or crusting during some flares

Patients can experience periods when eczema becomes worse followed by periods of improvement.

Dermatology management may include identification of potential irritants or triggers, appropriate moisturization, prescription treatment when necessary, and strategies to reduce recurrent flares.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which skin cells are produced too quickly, leading to visible scaly and inflamed areas of skin. Common sites include the scalp, elbows, and knees, although other parts of the body may also be affected.

Symptoms may include:

• Thick or scaly patches
• Inflamed skin
• Itching
• Dryness
• Cracking
• Scalp involvement
• Nail changes

Psoriasis is not contagious.

Because psoriasis is often a long-term condition, patients may require ongoing treatment and follow-up to control symptoms and reduce flare-ups.

Skin Allergies & Rashes

A skin rash can have many possible causes, including:

• Allergic reactions
• Irritant contact
• Eczema
• Infections
• Medication reactions
• Autoimmune conditions
• Inflammatory skin diseases
• Other dermatological conditions

Because different diseases can produce similar-looking rashes, accurate diagnosis is important before starting treatment.

A dermatologist evaluates factors such as:

• Appearance of the rash
• Location
• Duration
• Itching or pain
• Recent medications
• New skin products
• Occupational exposure
• Medical history
• Associated symptoms

Further testing may be recommended when necessary.

Urticaria – Hives

Urticaria, commonly called hives, causes raised, itchy areas of skin that may appear suddenly and change location.

Possible triggers can vary between patients and may include medications, infections, foods, environmental exposures, or other factors.

Some patients experience recurrent or chronic symptoms without an obvious trigger.

Dermatological assessment may help identify possible contributing factors and determine an appropriate management plan.

Hives accompanied by difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, faintness, or severe facial swelling require emergency medical attention rather than a routine dermatology appointment.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which pigment-producing cells are damaged, resulting in areas of skin losing their natural color.

Vitiligo may affect:

• Face
• Hands
• Arms
• Legs
• Areas around body openings
• Other parts of the skin

Some patients may also have other autoimmune disorders, so additional medical evaluation may sometimes be appropriate depending on the patient's history and symptoms.

Treatment varies according to the location and extent of pigment loss, progression of the condition, age, and individual treatment goals.

Pigmentation Problems

Changes in skin pigmentation are a common reason for dermatology consultation.

Patients may seek assessment for:

• Melasma
• Dark facial patches
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
• Dark marks following acne
• Uneven skin tone
• Localized pigmentation
• Loss of pigmentation
• Unexplained changes in skin color

Pigmentation can have several possible causes, and effective treatment depends on identifying the underlying condition.

Patients should avoid repeatedly using bleaching agents, steroid-containing creams, or combination products without appropriate medical advice because improper use may worsen skin problems.

Hair Loss & Alopecia

Dermatologists also evaluate diseases affecting the hair and scalp. Hair loss can occur for many reasons, and in many cases appropriate diagnosis and treatment can help stop or manage the condition.

Assessment may be appropriate for:

• Progressive hair thinning
• Sudden hair shedding
• Patchy hair loss
• Receding hairline
• Hair loss after illness
• Female-pattern hair loss
• Male-pattern hair loss
• Scalp inflammation
• Hair breakage
• Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that can produce areas of hair loss. It can sometimes occur alongside other autoimmune diseases.

Hair-loss evaluation may involve medical history, scalp examination, blood testing, medication review, nutritional assessment, or additional investigations depending on the suspected cause.

Scalp Disorders

The scalp may be affected by several dermatological conditions, including:

• Dandruff
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Fungal infections
• Folliculitis
• Scalp eczema
• Hair-loss disorders

Persistent itching, scaling, redness, pain, or hair loss associated with scalp symptoms should be assessed to determine the underlying condition.

Nail Disorders

Changes in the fingernails or toenails may result from local nail disease or, in some cases, other medical conditions.

Dermatology assessment may be appropriate for:

• Thickened nails
• Discolored nails
• Brittle nails
• Nail separation
• Fungal nail infection
• Nail changes associated with psoriasis
• Pain or inflammation around the nail
• Unexplained changes in nail appearance

Treatment depends on the underlying cause rather than appearance alone.

Fungal Skin & Nail Infections

Fungal infections can affect different areas of the skin, scalp, feet, groin, and nails.

Symptoms may include:

• Itching
• Scaling
• Circular or expanding rashes
• Cracking
• Nail thickening
• Nail discoloration
• Scalp changes

Because eczema, psoriasis, fungal infection, and other conditions may occasionally look similar, clinical assessment can help avoid inappropriate treatment.

Bacterial & Viral Skin Infections

Dermatologists may also evaluate infections involving the skin, including selected:

• Bacterial skin infections
• Viral skin infections
• Warts
• Folliculitis
• Infected eczema
• Other localized infections

Treatment depends on the organism involved, location, severity, age of the patient, and overall medical condition.

Severe infections accompanied by high fever, rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, or significant swelling may require urgent medical assessment.

Warts

Warts are skin growths caused by certain types of human papillomavirus.

They may appear on:

• Hands
• Fingers
• Feet
• Face
• Other areas of the skin

Some warts disappear without treatment, while persistent, painful, spreading, or troublesome lesions may require dermatological assessment and treatment.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that typically affects the face and can cause redness, visible blood vessels, sensitive skin, and acne-like breakouts.

Symptoms and triggers differ between individuals.

Dermatological treatment can help control symptoms and reduce flare-ups, although ongoing care may be required because rosacea is generally a long-term condition.

Dry & Itchy Skin

Dry or persistently itchy skin can result from:

• Eczema
• Allergies
• Irritation
• Aging-related skin changes
• Environmental factors
• Psoriasis
• Infection
• Medication effects
• Other medical conditions

When itching is severe, widespread, persistent, or unexplained, dermatological or general medical assessment may be appropriate to identify the cause.

Suspicious Moles & Skin Lesions

Patients should seek dermatological assessment for new or changing skin lesions, particularly those that:

• Change in size
• Change in shape
• Change in color
• Develop irregular borders
• Bleed repeatedly
• Do not heal
• Become persistently painful or itchy
• Look significantly different from other moles

Dermatologists are trained to assess skin lesions and determine whether monitoring, removal, biopsy, or further investigation is required.

Skin Biopsy

A skin biopsy involves removing a small sample of skin for examination when a definitive diagnosis cannot be made from clinical examination alone.

A biopsy may be considered for selected:

• Persistent unexplained rashes
• Suspicious skin growths
• Pigmented lesions
• Autoimmune skin diseases
• Chronic inflammatory conditions
• Other uncertain skin abnormalities

Whether a biopsy is necessary is determined after specialist assessment.

Pediatric Dermatology

Children can develop many skin conditions that require age-appropriate assessment and treatment.

Common reasons for pediatric dermatology consultation may include:

• Eczema
• Rashes
• Birthmarks
• Warts
• Skin infections
• Fungal infections
• Pigmentation changes
• Hair or scalp problems
• Acne in adolescents

Atopic dermatitis commonly begins in infancy or childhood, although it may continue into or first appear during adulthood.

Treatment is planned according to the child's age, condition, skin sensitivity, and severity of symptoms.

Autoimmune Skin Diseases

Some dermatological conditions occur because the immune system attacks or affects normal skin structures.

Examples include:

• Vitiligo
• Psoriasis
• Alopecia areata
• Certain connective-tissue skin diseases
• Other autoimmune dermatological disorders

These conditions may occasionally require coordinated care between Dermatology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology, General Medicine, or other specialties depending on the organs and systems involved.

Diagnostic Evaluation in Dermatology

Dermatological diagnosis begins with examination of the skin, hair, scalp, or nails together with a detailed medical history.

Depending on the suspected condition, further evaluation may include:

• Blood tests
• Fungal testing
• Bacterial testing
• Skin scraping
• Dermoscopic examination where available
• Skin biopsy
• Allergy-related assessment
• Autoimmune investigations
• Hormonal testing for selected hair or skin conditions
• Other specialized investigations

Not every patient requires laboratory or procedural testing. Investigations are selected according to the clinical findings.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Dermatological treatment depends on the diagnosis and may include:

• Topical medications
• Oral medications
• Medicated shampoos
• Appropriate moisturizers
• Anti-inflammatory treatment
• Antimicrobial treatment
• Treatment for fungal conditions
• Disease-specific therapy
• Lifestyle and trigger-management guidance
• Sun-protection recommendations
• Minor dermatological procedures where appropriate
• Long-term follow-up

Because conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and hair loss can vary significantly between patients, treatment should be individualized.

Skin Care & Prevention

Basic skin care can support treatment and help protect the skin barrier.

Depending on the patient's condition, a dermatologist may advise regarding:

• Gentle cleansing
• Appropriate moisturization
• Sun protection
• Avoiding known irritants
• Selecting suitable skin-care products
• Avoiding unnecessary steroid creams
• Avoiding excessive product combinations
• Appropriate scalp and hair care
• Disease-specific preventive measures

Patients with chronic skin conditions should follow recommendations tailored to their individual diagnosis rather than assuming that one skin-care routine is suitable for everyone.

When Should You Visit a Dermatologist?

You may consider consulting a dermatologist if you experience:

• Persistent acne
• Severe or painful acne
• Acne scarring
• Persistent rash
• Severe itching
• Recurrent eczema
• Psoriasis
• Unexplained pigmentation
• White skin patches
• Persistent hair loss
• Patchy hair loss
• Scalp problems
• Nail changes
• Recurrent skin infections
• Persistent warts
• Changing moles
• Non-healing skin lesions
• Recurrent allergic skin reactions
• Any skin, hair, or nail problem that is persistent, worsening, or difficult to diagnose

Dermatologists specialize in diseases affecting the skin, hair, and nails and care for patients across different age groups.

When Is Urgent Medical Care Required?

Some skin-related symptoms require prompt or emergency medical assessment.

Seek urgent care for:

• Difficulty breathing associated with a rash or allergic reaction
• Swelling of the tongue or throat
• Rapidly spreading painful skin redness
• High fever associated with severe skin infection
• Extensive blistering
• Severe medication-related rash
• Skin peeling involving large areas
• Serious burns
• Rapidly worsening facial swelling
• Severe infection in an immunocompromised patient

These situations should not wait for a routine outpatient dermatology appointment.

Long-Term Dermatology Care

Some dermatological conditions resolve after short-term treatment, while others require ongoing management.

Patients living with conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, rosacea, or chronic hair-loss disorders may require regular follow-up. Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, for example, can be chronic conditions with periods of worsening and improvement.

Regular follow-up can help the dermatologist:

• Assess treatment response
• Monitor disease progression
• Adjust medications when appropriate
• Identify triggers
• Monitor treatment side effects
• Manage recurring symptoms
• Coordinate care with other specialties when required

At AS Medical Complex, our goal is to provide continuity of dermatological care from initial diagnosis through treatment and long-term follow-up.