5 May is dedicated to World Hand Hygiene Day. While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made everyone much more aware of the importance of hand hygiene, we want to focus a bit on how hand hygiene ties into dermatology and skin care in general.   Hand hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of infections. Many viral, bacterial and other types of infectious diseases are invisible to the naked eye and are easily spread after touching a contaminated surface. It only takes touching of an unclean surface with your fingers once and then bringing your fingers to your mouth, nose or eyes

With April being Rosacea Awareness Month, we are shedding some more light on this often overlooked, but common, skin disorder. It is a condition that causes significant embarrassment and distressing symptoms to those that have it. Rosacea is a chronic disorder that primarily affects the face. It causes sustained inflammation or redness, and is associated with visibly enlarged blood vessels, red spots and pus-filled bumps. The skin becomes sensitive to commonly used skincare and cosmetic

The COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping across the globe. Unfortunately, this causes many people to experience psychological stress on an unprecedented scale. We have been forced into a lockdown situation where we may not leave our houses – not only for our own health and safety, but more importantly to prevent passing on the virus to those with compromised immune systems or the elderly. Unemployment, a great cause of stress, is a real possibility for many on the other side of the lockdown.   Many of our usual endorphin–inducing rituals such as outdoor exercise, in-person socialisation with friends, the celebration of important milestones and attending events have

Dry, cracked and itchy hands have become a reality for many of us during the COVID-19 pandemic. The frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, application of harsh soaps and incorrect hand washing techniques can lead to skin irritation and may lead to the onset of hand eczema. What is hand eczema? The term hand eczema refers to an inflammatory condition involving the skin of our hands and is characterised by dry, red and itchy skin.

On 7 April we very appropriately commemorate the World Health Organistion’s World Health Day. It is an annual celebration, but this year we specifically recognise the vital role that nurses and midwives play in keeping the world healthy. The world’s attention is rightfully focussed on the COVID-19 pandemic. While personally having been at the frontline of previous pandemics such as the SARS virus in 2003 and the H1N1 in 2009 I can sadly attest that

Your skin is your body’s single largest organ. It’s a big deal because it can be a window to the state of your general health. “Caring for your skin from a young age will be the single biggest favour you can do your future self,” says Dr Johann de Wet, dermatologist at The Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute in Stellenbosch. He says advancements in medical science has lead to an increase in life expectancy. We