Dermatology is a branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases. A doctor who specialises in this is called a Dermatologist.
Public Service
Waitemata DHB Dermatology Service
Referral Expectations
Each month the Department receives more new referrals than can be seen at clinic.
The dermatologists review the referral letters to determine who should be seen first, based on the information provided by the GP.
When you come to the Dermatology Outpatient Department you will be seen by a Dermatologist who will ask questions about your illness and examine your skin to try to determine or confirm the diagnosis. Further tests may be ordered. These include, but are not limited to, blood tests, skin biopsy or skin scraping. A biopsy is a minor procedure using local anaesthetics to remove a small piece of the skin for examination under a microscope in the laboratory. A skin scraping involves scratching some of the top layer of skin from the affected area. Sometimes these tests can all be done during one clinic visit, but for some conditions the diagnosis will take several follow-up appointments.
Occasionally some tests can be arranged even before you are seen at the clinic to try to speed up the process.
Once a diagnosis has been made, the medical staff will discuss treatment with you.
Common Conditions
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Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
This is a mild viral illness that mostly affects children. The symptoms are: sudden development of a high temperature; a sore throat and small blisters on the mouth, palms of hands and soles of feet.… More
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Scabies
Scabies is a very common skin infection that is caused by a mite that burrows under the top layer of skin and lays its eggs. The eggs hatch in a few days. The skin then becomes very itchy and a red, raised rash may appear. Itching is worse at night… More
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Acne
Acne is a skin disorder that is characterised by pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and, in bad cases, cysts (deeper lumps). Acne usually starts at puberty and is in response to our body’s production of hormones, called androgens.… More
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Fungal Skin Infections
Bacteria and a number of types of fungi live on the surface of the skin.… More
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Bacterial Skin Infections
Our skin is our body’s first defence mechanism and even though many types of bacteria live on its surface, we still need a healthy, intact skin surface to maintain its defence.… More
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Eczema
There are several different types of eczema but all have a number of common symptoms, the main feature being red, inflamed, itchy skin. The skin can be covered with small, fluid-filled blisters that might ooze and form a scale or crust.… More
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Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common, recurring (keeps coming back) skin condition that is hard to treat.… More
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Shingles
Shingles is caused by a virus called herpes zoster, this is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After the virus has caused chicken pox it remains dormant (inactive) in the nerve cells, but can then be reactivated in later life to cause shingles. It is not known why the virus… More
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Warts
There are three main types of wart infections that occur on our body: common warts, plantar warts and venereal warts (genital warts).… More
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Skin Cancer
New Zealand has a very high rate of skin cancer, when compared to other countries.… More
Recent Pages
- Waitemata DHB Dermatology Service
Waitakere Hospital, North Shore Hospital