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Southern DHB Dermatology Services
Public Service, Dermatology
Description
Welcome to Dermatology at Southern DHB
What is Dermatology?
Dermatology is the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin, hair and nails.
The skin is the largest and most visible organ of the body. It reflects the health of the body and acts as a barrier against injury and bacteria. Unfortunately, at one time or another, nearly everyone has some type of skin disease - infants, children, teenagers, adults and the elderly.
What is a Dermatologist?
A dermatologist is a medical doctor who has specialised in dermatology. Advanced training in dermatology involves at least four years of intensive study, research and practical experience in a variety of approved training centres across New Zealand and overseas. In total, your dermatologist will have a minimum of 13 years' training.
Dermatology at Southland and Dunedin Hospitals
Dermatology services are provided via outpatient clinics or by one of our consulting physicians through telemedicine.
Sun Smart
Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in New Zealand. Skin cancer is largely preventable. Over 90% of all skin cancer is attributed to excess sun exposure. All New Zealanders are encouraged to be SunSmart and to “Slip, slop, slap and wrap”.
For more information about SunSmart or sun protection visit: https://otago-southland.cancernz.org.nz/
Additional Information
These websites offers a wealth of information about skin diseases, treatments, the latest news, and much more.
DermNet NZ: www.dermnetnz.org
New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated: https://www.nzdsi.org/index.aspx
Referral Expectations
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
Website
Contact Details
Dunedin Hospital
Dunedin - South Otago
Phone
(03) 474 0999
Fax
(03) 474 7025
Email
Website
Southland Hospital, Invercargill
Southland
Phone
(03) 218 1949
Fax
(03) 218 6890
Website
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This page was last updated at 9:53AM on March 15, 2021. This information is reviewed and edited by Southern DHB Dermatology Services.