Diagnosis in dermatology. Tricks of the trade.
BACKGROUND
Many medical practitioners find difficulty in diagnosing common skin conditions. This may translate into difficulty in management when treatment may have to be prescribed without a specific diagnosis.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a simplified approach to diagnosis of the common skin conditions, using major discriminators on history and examination.


CONCLUSIONS
By simplifying the history and examination, it is possible to categorise responses to questions or key signs on examination in a way that should assist in the diagnosis of common skin conditions. But, as always, when a condition cannot be fitted into the model, consider a specialist opinion.
Marks
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University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine (Dermatology), St Vincent's Hospital and Skin and Cancer, Foundation of Victoria.
D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*