Foreword from the Editor-in-Chief, Dermatology Collection

Our July 2024 Dermatology Collection covers a range of important dermatological presentations, including the management of cosmetic concerns.

Actinic keratoses, also referred to as solar keratoses, appear on sites of chronic ultraviolet radiation exposure and their presence predisposes to the development of all skin cancers. Read about the latest management practices for  actinic keratoses, based on guidelines from Cancer Council Australia and the American Academy of Dermatology.

Nail disease and intertriginous skin disorders are common presentations in general practice and the assessment, treatment and management for each are discussed in two articles. Although often benign, both can impair quality of life and be representative of underlying disease. Recognising the common clinical features of different nail diseases, understanding potential treatment outcomes and knowing when to refer if treatment failure occurs are important management cornerstones. Most intertriginous skin disorders can be successfully diagnosed and managed in the primary care setting.

Patients often consult with their GPs about aesthetic concerns, which can be treated using laser and laser-like therapies. Stay up to date on the latest devices used for cosmetic purposes, including intense pulsed light, vascular lasers, pigment lasers and ablative and nonablative lasers.

Finally, test your knowledge with one of our dermatology quizzes. What are the differential diagnoses and an appropriate management approach for a 57-year-old woman who presents with inflammatory facial lesions and background erythema?

Gayle Fischer OAM, MB BS, FACD, MD
Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Sydney
Medical School – Northern, The University of Sydney,
Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW.