Editor: Alberto Conde-Taboada

Dermatological Treatments

eBook: US $49 Special Offer (PDF + Printed Copy): US $235
Printed Copy: US $210
Library License: US $196
ISBN: 978-1-60805-431-2 (Print)
ISBN: 978-1-60805-234-9 (Online)
Year of Publication: 2012
DOI: 10.2174/97816080523491120101

Introduction

Dermatological treatments have changed continuously throughout recent decades. Old drugs are recognized as being effective in new indications and new methods of dosage or application have been reported. Novel drugs have also changed the therapeutic approach in numerous diseases, improving patient health and quality of life. Conversely, new adverse reactions, drug interactions and unfamiliar risks have also increased. This e-book organizes information about different treatments available for treating dermatological conditions, focusing on a practical approach and systematizing drug interactions, adverse events, and patterns of intake or application.

This e-book is comprised of 3 sections, based on the way the treatment is applied: topical treatments, systemic treatments and physical therapies. Topical therapy is probably the most important mode to treat diseases of skin, releasing the active drug directly on the affected area. Both local and global effects can be achieved, as well as different adverse reactions are sometimes obtained. Systemic treatments are important in dermatology in conditions affecting a huge surface or when a potent means of therapy is needed. Physical therapies are highly specific in nature with respect to skin diseases, using different light sources combined with several substances to obtain the desired effect on epidermal structures. Every section contains several chapters dedicated to the different groups of drugs. Specific emphasis is given to the practical usage of each drug with comprehensive tables facilitating the information.

Indexed in: Book Citation Index, Science Edition, Web of Science, BIOSIS Previews, Scopus, EBSCO.

Preface

Skin conditions have been diagnosed and treated for centuries; broad changes have happened from the time when the first clinicians described the aspect of dermatological diseases to nowadays. These changes have occurred at highest speed in recent years, mostly based in a deep knowledge of pathogenic routes implied in these illnesses.

On the other hand, the external localization of the organ provides assorted therapeutic options, which cannot be applied in the rest of medical specialties. Topical and physical treatments are widely used in dermatology, as an alternative option to systemic drugs.

This book includes the most relevant therapies employed in dermatology: topical, systemic and physical. On every part of these, the drugs and procedures have been classified thinking about their clinical usage and chemical structure as well: antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunosupresants… The third part (physical therapies) includes treatments that apply light sources: photodynamic therapy, phototherapy (including photochemotherapy) and lasers.

The different chapters contain several parts in common; indications of the drug, dosage, contraindications, interactions, adverse events, pregnancy and breastfeeding are usually included. The references can be found at the end of the chapters, with the latest reports about the treatment.

We hope this book will help dermatologists, family doctors, residents and even students to manage the main dermatological conditions in a safe and efficacious approach.

Alberto Conde-Taboada
Dermatology Department
Hospital Clínico San Carlos Madrid
Spain

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